Leicester Underwater Exploration Club (LUEC)
BEST FOR
Ages 8-70
ENTRY
from £10
WHERE
Leicester
What it’s like
Pool-based scuba and snorkelling training for eight-year-olds upwards, run by volunteer instructors at Aylestone Leisure Centre.
This is a diving club rather than an aquarium, so the fish stay firmly out of it. Kids from eight can have a go at snorkelling, and from 14 they can start proper scuba training, all run out of the pool at Aylestone Leisure Centre by volunteer instructors who are nationally qualified through BSAC.
If you just want to test the water, literally, there's a £10 snorkelling give-it-a-go session and a £20 try dive for the scuba-curious. Both are low-commitment ways to find out if your child actually likes having their face in the water before you sign up for anything longer. The five-week pre-holiday course is £50 and aimed at people who want a qualification in time for a summer trip, though the club is upfront that finishing it depends on instructor availability rather than a fixed timetable, so book early if the holiday date matters.
Training runs on evenings and weekends throughout the year, with a new Ocean Diver course usually kicking off each spring. Under-18s need written parental permission before they start, and anyone with a medical condition fills in a declaration form first, which for some conditions means a sign-off from an approved doctor. None of this is a fast process if you're hoping to squeeze it in the week before a flight.
Parking's free on site and the leisure centre itself is wheelchair accessible, which is one less thing to think about if you're juggling kit bags and nervous kids. It's a serious, structured way into diving rather than a one-off day out, so it suits a family who wants to build something over a few months rather than fill an afternoon.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 to 14 plus for snorkelling, 14 upwards for scuba
- Parking
- Free car parking available on site
- Getting there by bus or train
- Aylestone Leisure Centre in central Leicester, 10 minutes from Junction 21 off the M1
- Sessions are pool-based at Aylestone Leisure Centre, not open water
- Instructors are volunteers, so scheduling depends on their availability alongside yours
- Missing a training session isn't usually a dealbreaker, it can normally be made up later
- Anyone with an existing qualification from another dive agency can join without redoing training
Plan your visit
How old does my child need to be?
Eight for snorkelling, 14 for scuba diving. Under-18s need written permission from a parent or guardian before training starts.
How much does it cost?
A snorkelling try session is £10 and a scuba try dive is £20. The five-week pre-holiday training course is £50.
Can we get qualified before our summer holiday?
Snorkel training usually takes a few weeks to a couple of months, so that's doable. Scuba qualifications depend on instructor availability, so it isn't guaranteed to fit around a fixed holiday date.
My child isn't a strong swimmer, is that a problem?
This is worth raising with the club directly, as swimming ability questions are handled case by case.
What if we have a medical condition to declare?
You'll fill in a medical declaration form before training starts. Most conditions don't rule someone out, though some need sign-off from an approved medical referee.
Is there parking?
Free parking on site at Aylestone Leisure Centre, which is about 10 minutes from Junction 21 of the M1.
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