About us
OUR STORY
YEARS AS PADI PROFESSIONALS
BUILT BY DIVERS - FOR DIVERS
Scuba Academy started with a problem that James and Ian knew all too well. London dive centres were relying on short, late-night sessions in public leisure-centre pools — often with barely enough time to train before everyone was hurried out at closing time.
We kept asking the same question: what if we had a pool of our own?
Instead of adapting another leisure facility, we decided to create a purpose-built home for scuba training in London — somewhere with the time, space and flexibility to let people learn properly. That conversation became the beginning of Scuba Academy.
WHY SCUBA ACADEMY?
FROM FRUSTRATION TO A BETTER WAY
Scuba Academy grew from years of experience using hired leisure-centre pools. James and Ian knew the limitations first-hand, and the idea of having a dedicated scuba facility kept coming back.
01
THE PROBLEM
Short hired sessions, late-night pool time and little flexibility made good scuba training harder than it needed to be.
02
THE IDEA
Instead of finding another pool to hire, we started asking a bigger question: what if we built our own?
03
THE PLAN
We designed a pool around scuba training, arranged manufacture and found an empty warehouse that could become its home.
04
SCUBA ACADEMY
At the beginning of 2026, that idea opened its doors as a dedicated home for scuba training in London.
OUR COURSES
TRAINING FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR DIVING
From a first breath underwater to professional-level development, Scuba Academy offers a pathway that can grow with you.
LEARN TO DIVE
First experiences, Open Water training and everything you need to begin your underwater journey.
CONTINUE YOUR ADVENTURE
Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, ReActivate and the next steps after certification.
SPECIALITIES
Develop specific skills with Dry Suit, Deep, Wreck, Nitrox, Sidemount, DPV and more.
KIDS & JUNIOR DIVING
Bubblemaker, Seal Team, junior activities, parties and young-diver development.
GO PRO
Divemaster, Junior Divemaster, IDC and professional development with experienced PADI Professionals.
THE BUILD
FROM EMPTY WAREHOUSE TO SCUBA ACADEMY
The pool came first. The building then took shape around it. Use your real construction photographs in the image positions below to show the journey from design to opening.
01 · DESIGNING THE POOL
James and Ian wanted a pool designed around the way scuba is actually taught. The dimensions, shallow and deep areas and overall layout were planned before manufacture began.
02 · MANUFACTURE & SHIPPING
The pool was manufactured in China. Time was spent checking the build and preparing the sections before they were shipped to the United Kingdom.
03 · ARRIVAL & ASSEMBLY
Once the pool reached the UK, it was transported into an empty warehouse in Tolworth and assembled on site. At this point, the pool existed before most of the facility around it did.
04 · BUILDING AROUND THE POOL
The mezzanine, pool surrounds, changing and shower facilities, classroom and supporting rooms were then created around the assembled pool, turning the empty warehouse into a dedicated scuba centre.
05 · OPENING THE DOORS
The project was completed at the end of 2025 and Scuba Academy opened at the beginning of 2026 — giving London divers a purpose-built place to learn, practise and develop.
OUR FACILITY
MORE THAN JUST A POOL
At the heart of Scuba Academy is our dedicated scuba training pool, designed with separate shallow and deep areas so divers can progress naturally as their skills and confidence develop.
The centre also includes classroom space, changing facilities, showers, scuba equipment, cylinder filling and the supporting facilities needed to train divers from their first underwater experience through to professional level.
12m
DEDICATED TRAINING POOL
2.3m
MAXIMUM DEPTH
PADI 5 STAR
DIVE CENTRE
BEGINNER → PRO
COMPLETE TRAINING PATHWAY
MEET THE FOUNDERS
BUILT BY DIVERS - RUN BY DIVERS
JAMES WILKINSON
CO-FOUNDER · PADI COURSE DIRECTOR
James has been a PADI Professional for more than 20 years and became a PADI Course Director in 2018. His professional diving and teaching experience has taken him all over the world. He is also owner of Anthias Divers in Sharm el Sheikh.
IAN CLAFTON
CO-FOUNDER · DIVE CENTER OWNER
Ian is co-owner of Scuba Academy and owner of Aquanaut Scuba & Snorkelling and Amphibian Scuba. His extensive experience operating dive centres brings practical knowledge of training, equipment, facilities and the day-to-day needs of divers.
OUR TEAM
EXPERIENCED, APPROACHABLE PADI PROFESSIONALS
Scuba Academy is supported by a team of instructors and dive professionals who share the same approach: patient, supportive training with high standards and plenty of encouragement.
CONTACT NOW