“They are a very important part of the sport, so that’s where the idea of the program kind of came from” – Jeff Feeney

Every year since 1975, the Canada Cup of Diving has been held to represent outstanding diving athletes from around the world. After months of hard work and endless sacrifice, these athletes get the opportunity to showcase their skills to handpicked judges at the event.  

With these events comes the opportunity for judges of all backgrounds to maintain or upgrade their certification as a judge.  

This year, Diving Canada, alongside the support of the Rude Foundation and Duraflex International, contributed to helping four judges from the Pan Americas to have the opportunity to judge at the Canada Cup of Diving. Taking on their hospitality needs, these judges can do their quality work without the worries that come with travelling expenses.  

Jeff Feeney, the Senior Director of Business Development at Diving Canada, explained this program as a growth opportunity for both the sport and prospects of international judging.  

“They are a very important part of the sport, so that’s where the idea of the program kind of came from,” said Jeff Feeney 

“This program one, places diversity on the panel, two, provides the accumulated amount of judges on the panel, and three, builds the judging capacity within the America’s,” he continued.  

This development in the promotion of our excellent sport and those who run it keeps the authenticity clear for all divers. 

With that in mind, let’s meet some of those judges .  

Our first Judge, Cristina Rios from Colombia, started her diving career when she was 30 years old. Starting as a diver to then becoming a coach, diving has forever been Rios’s life passion. With her judging career running around 20 years, Rios plans on being a part of the community for as long as humanly possible. 

“I have been here for 20 years and I plan on continuing that journey until I am past 80,” said Reos. 

In continuing that journey, Rios is excited to see how the judging community grows and hopes to see more parts of the world through it.  

“I appreciate this event because it means that Diving Canada is confident in me and my skills, Thank you,” said Rios. 

Our second judge from Cuba, Daylet Valdes Quesada, is a previous diver known for her participation in the Central American and Pan Am games. Judging since 2017, Quesada’s love for judging came from analyzing the sport and judges from her home country in Cuba. Since then, Quesada has judged in Mexico, Colombia, and Central America. The Opportunity to judge at the Canada Cup has been an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for Quesada who said, “I am very grateful for the kindness of Diving Canada and their dedication to helping me develop as a judge.” In the future, Quesada hopes to have more opportunities like these for herself and many more judges.  

Our third Judge, Isaac Alvarado from Ecuador, has been a part of the diving community since he was six years old. In his diving days, Alvarado competed in Central American events up until he was 18 years of age. After starting his judging career in 2019, he explains the love for the sport being something a former diver can just not let go of, “I’ve been a part of this sport since I was a very small child; I’ve just never wanted to let it go,” said Alvarado. Judging at the Canada Cup has come with a great deal of nostalgia for Alvarado and his thanks to Diving Canada and those affiliated is beyond your casual thanks.   

Our final judge, Michel Alvan from Peru, has been a part of the diving community for about 30 years. After diving for the pro-national team of Peru for 15 years, coaching for 5 years, and almost judging for 20, Alvan has had his fair share of experience when it comes to the sport. Gaining the opportunity to judge at the Canada Cup has been far from common for Alvan.  

“I am very very grateful for the opportunity to be; it’s not common that judges such as us have the opportunity to participate in this kind of event,” said Alvan. 

“It’s really nice and I am really enjoying it,” he continued. 

With gratitude to the three foundations working towards making the diving opportunities big for those in and out of the pool, DPC would also like to thank our event managing consultant Neris Gonzales Lopez for making sure every hotel room, meal, and travelling experience was done with care.