National Diving and Activity Centre facts for kids
The National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC) was a special place in Tidenham, Gloucestershire, England. It was located near the border with Wales, close to Chepstow. This centre was built in a very large flooded quarry called Dayhouse Quarry. A quarry is a big hole dug in the ground to get out stone, like limestone.
The quarry filled with water in 1996. The diving centre then opened in 2003, offering many fun activities. It closed its doors permanently in 2022.
What Was There to Do?
The NDAC was a popular spot for scuba diving. Scuba diving is when you breathe underwater using special equipment. It was also used by people who enjoyed technical diving and free diving. Technical diving involves more complex dives, often deeper or longer. Free diving is when you hold your breath and dive without tanks.
The water at NDAC was very deep, going down to about 80 metres (262 feet). Divers could explore many cool things underwater, placed at different depths from 6 metres (20 feet) to 76 metres (249 feet).
Many groups used the centre for training. These included PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and IANTD (International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers). Local clubs like BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club) and SAA (Sub-Aqua Association) also trained there. If you wanted to learn free diving, SaltFree Divers helped people at NDAC.
Besides diving, the centre had other exciting activities. There was a fun inflatable obstacle course on the water. You could also try bungee jumping, which is when you jump from a high place while attached to a stretchy cord. Paddle boarding was another option, where you stand on a board and use a paddle to move across the water. For thrill-seekers, there was a 700-metre (2,297-foot) long zip wire that let you glide through the air.
Why Did It Close?
The National Diving and Activity Centre announced its permanent closure on February 18, 2022. After it closed, a company bought the site. This company wanted to use the location to develop new equipment. Their goal was to help people live deep underwater.
In September 2023, it was announced that The DEEP Institute had taken over the site. They renamed it DEEP Campus.
