AN inspirational sportswoman is encouraging fellow females to get active by taking the plunge.

Christina Rodriguez is the only active female member of Scotsac Clyde - a sub aqua diving organisation based in Gourock.

The 59-year-old has been a member of the group for seven years after she shed an impressive 11 stone and joined to fulfil her lifelong ambition of diving.

Christina, who works as the customer care manager at McDonald's in Port Glasgow, is sharing her sporting story in a bid to inspire other ladies to join her.

She told the Tele: "I had always wanted to try diving, however my weight held me back.

"I was self-conscious and didn't want to get into the water.

"There's no need to get all done up with make up or worry about wearing swimming costumes - we all wear wetsuits in the pool and water and everyone is there for the same reason - to dive."

She added: "I've still got my sparkly nails and all of my equipment is pink though - it means none of the male members want to steal it!

"I'd encourage anyone who has thought about diving before to come along and give it a go, the only requirement is you can swim well."

Christina previously had other female members of the club to keep her company, however due to different career moves she's now the only woman in Scotsac, which is run by local man David Gillies.

She said: "There's something amazing about coming face-to-face with all the sealife, people don't believe there's as much in the Clyde as there is. "The beauty of the dive club is that once you become qualified you get a membership card meaning you are able to dive anywhere in the world - my favourite place to dive was Thailand when I visited a few years back.

"I'd love to see more local ladies and girls come and join us and have fun, it is one of the best things I've ever signed up to do and I've loved every minute of it."

Members of the club hold practice dives at Gourock Pool on Wednesday evenings and these sessions are open to all.

Those who are looking to give the sport a go don't need any equipment of their own as the club will provide everything required.

For more information, call Christina on 07903386982.

*If you are a woman involved in sport in Inverclyde and would like to share your story, email amy.shearer@newsquest.co.uk or call 01475 558932.