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| “In China , diving ranks as the most practised sport next to riding bicycles, and it draws more spectators than any other sport.” |
In competitions, dives are performed from springboards or from rigid platforms. There are four defined positions in competitive diving - the tuck, pike, layout (straight) and free (twist) - and every dive is performed in one of these positions. There are subtle variances in the pike position and free position. The dive description and the height at which it is being attempted define the degree of difficulty on which competitors are judged.
| “Early springboards were made of planks of wood covered in coconut matting to prevent divers from slipping. They were not very springy! And there were no standards for springboards either, meaning visiting divers were always at a disadvantage because they had to use unfamiliar boards.” |
Divers in competitions perform a list of dives which can include easier dives called compulsories, or more difficult dives called optionals. Groups of compulsory dives cover all six directions: forward, backward, hand stand (in platform events only), twist, reverse and inward. Optional dive groups must also cover all directions.
| “In early competitions, only plain dives or what we now call a forward straight dive were featured. Later competitions featured diving perfected by Swiss and German gymnasts called 'fancy diving' that featured feats like somersaults and twists. In 1912, 'fancy diving' was added to the Stockholm Olympics.” |
Forward Dives - range from a simple front dive and a front 4 1/2 somersault, to a special type of forward dive called a flying dive.
Backward Dives - range from a simple back dive to a back 3 1/2 somersault.
Handstand Dives - the one group of dives that can only be performed from the tower; can include forward and backward stands, twisting handstand dives, and forward cut-through handstand dives.
Twisting Dives - forward, backward, reverse, inward, and handstand twists ranging from a simple half twist to 4 1/2 twists.
Reverse Dives - also called 'gainers' and range from a simple reverse dive to a reverse 3 1/2 somersault.
Inward Dives - range from a simple inward dive to an inward 3 1/2 somersault and flying dive.
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Synchronized Diving is an event in which two divers execute identical or opposite moves during diving. Synchronized diving made its debut at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. |
| “Canadians Emilie Heymans and Blythe Hartley won a bronze medal in the 10-metre synchronized platform diving event at the 2004 Athens Olympics. At the 2000 Games in Sydney, Heymans and then-partner, Anne Montminy, won a silver medal.” |
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