GoDive ceases trading

GoDive ceases trading

We were sad to learn that GoDive has recently taken the sad decision to depart from the diving equipment marketplace. Last week, the team at the PADI-accredited outlet announced that difficult trading conditions led them to end their operations:

"For a long time, we have ploughed on and supported the business, but sadly it can’t go on for ever. We have long championed and helped support the smaller dive shops and the dive boat skippers, without them there is no UK diving."

The company, with its showroom, has long been a stalwart for divers based in the East Midlands. Their divers’ club was host to regular pool sessions and members could take part in social dives over at Stoney Cove in Leicestershire.

Narked at 90 was one of many brands in the diving scene to have had a working relationship with GoDive. We’re saddened to learn of this news and wish James, Mark and Alison all the best for whatever they choose to do in the future.

Is this a symptom of a decline in diving?

Earlier this year, Darcy Kieran of the Business of Diving Institute (BODI) reported on his Scubanomics blog that 2023 had been healthy for scuba diving markets across Europe and the USA. However, there was a note of caution in Kieren’s research, as he noted “repeat customers are increasingly important for dive centres and resorts in an industry that, historically, has been reliant on new scuba divers”.

This latter point has sadly proven fatal for several physical dive shops over the past few years. Sheffield's SDS Watersports was another UK casualty over the recent summer. This is why we believe it’s important to help grow this activity and entice new generations to explore underwater realms. It’s pleasing to read about Lancashire’s Phoenix North West Sub-Aqua Club continuing to attract younger students.

Statistics show that scuba diving and snorkelling in England took a hit during the pandemic years, which was unsurprising, but these activities have bounced back since then. Web searches for diving terms over the past four years have gradually increased, albeit in small increments and occasional bursts of interest.

Looking to the future

Attracting the next generation of divers should certainly be a priority for the diving scene. Unfortunately, "gatekeepers" can often pose a barrier to entry for new divers. These individuals may have outdated attitudes, stringent requirements, or a lack of understanding of the modern diving experience.

Encouraging new divers and fostering stronger relationships between dive centres and their customers are crucial steps in ensuring the continued growth and vitality of this beloved pastime.