Diving, Take the Plunge!

HIGH FIVES, September 2009, by Karen Demers

DIVING
Take the PLUNGE!


Are you in need of a new hobby? Have you ever wondered what flying would be like? Are you looking for something new and unique to DIVE into? Read on my friends – a new adventure awaits!

History
Would you be surprised to learn that diving originated from gymnastics and not from swimming? When you think about it, doesn’t it make sense!? At the beginning of the 20th century, most divers were German or Swedish gymnasts who preferred to practice their landings in water rather than on hard floors. In the summer, gymnastic equipment was moved down to the beaches so athletes could practice their acrobatics, twists and somersaults into the water. This became known as Fancy Diving which was first developed on platforms and was later performed on springboards. The first diving competition was held in 1871 and competitors jumped off the London Bridge! In 1904 male divers competed in the Olympics for the first time and were shortly joined by the women in 1912. Diving has continued to grow in popularity around the world and is a popular spectator sport.

Commitment Level
The Canadian Diving Amateur Association (CADA) has been promoting its ‘Learn-to-Dive’ (LTD) program in municipal pools and diving clubs since 1976. Most diving clubs across the country offer their own LTD clinics. After doing some research, some clubs run the LTD program in two days and other’s run it over a period of weeks. If you’re interested, contact your local diving club. As your level of skill and competition increase, your level of commitment level will increase as well. Often this commitment includes dry-land training too.

Starting Age
Most clubs offer LTD lessons for kids as young as 5 and up.

Physical Requirements
If you have never dived before, the only requirement is that you come with an opened mind, ready to participate. Diving will help you develop and enhance your strength, balance and flexibility, coordination and confidence.

Equipment
Really, all you need is a swimsuit! It is also nice to have a towel, a chamois aka: ‘shammy’ (see below), and clothes to put on afterwards! Also, you are going to want to bring water – just because you’re in water doesn’t mean you body won’t sweat and become dehydrated. A word of caution – don’t drink too much water at once because instead of sinking, you will float!

Average Cost
Most LTD programs start around $150 for a season and some places can charge more or less. Advanced diving lessons average about the same.

Slang/Jargon
Shammy: the towel that divers use to dry themselves between dives. This helps to keep your hands and legs from slipping out of position during the dive. Short: The entry of a dive that never achieves the vertical position. Spotting: While in the air, the diver must ‘spot’ the water, other boards and objects to complete a safe dive. Fulcrum: Wheel-like structure on the diving board that allows the diver to control the amount of spring in the board. Long: When the entry of a dive goes past the vertical. Oscillation: Prior to the takeoff on a back or inward dive, the diver will bounce the board in a rhythmic movement. Rip: The ideal entry that creates a very little amount of splash. Bubble Machine : A machine used during practices that produces air bubbles in the water to decrease the surface tension and impact for the diver.

'She'ros of Diving
Emilie Heymans is Canada’s current leading lady of diving and is known as a fierce competitor worldwide. Born in Belgium in 1981, Emilie and her family moved to the Montreal area the next year. Spending a lot of time in the pool while growing up, Emilie soon picked up diving and won her first junior event in Malaya. In 2000, Emilie competed in the Olympics for the first time, winning the silver medal in the 10 M Tower synchronized diving event with Anne Montminy – another Canadian Star. In 2003, Emilie’s diving career took off. She won the World Championship in Barcelona and three gold medals at the Pan Am Games. She was named Athlete of the Year for Dive Canada, the Montreal Awards, and the Sport Quebec Awards and was elected Sports Personality of the Year by the readers of La Presse newspaper. In 2008, Emilie was in Olympic form again and won the silver medal on the 10 m event. In her short career, Emilie has managed to win 14 straight 10 M Tower national titles and continues to dive today.

What Do Parents Think of Diving?
Many parents express concerns about the safety of diving. However, a study conducted by the National Spinal Cord Injury Data Research Center in the US found that half of all diving injuries occurred in rivers, lakes and oceans and that most diving injuries “result from horseplay and injudicious behaviour.” Diving provides kids a unique experience while participating in an organized sport. Conquering a dive can provide youth with a sense of accomplishment and confidence. Learning the correct way to dive and refraining from horseplay will ensure the best safety practices.

Why YOU Should Consider Diving
“Diving is an exciting and artistic sport, which combines the acrobatics of gymnastics or action sports, like skateboarding, with the grace and fluidity of dance and martial arts. From the fun of jumping off 1-meter and 3-meter high diving boards or the rush and exhilaration of the high platforms, diving offers a wide range of challenges that are always exciting and never dull.” (...excerpt taken from the brochure of reginadiving.ca)

~ Karen


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