May 6, 2026 (Ottawa) – After more than 20 years leading and shaping Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC), long-time Canadian sport leader Penny Joyce will be stepping down from her role as Chief Executive Officer to pursue new opportunities and endeavours. Under her direction, the organization experienced significant growth and achievement, leaving a lasting impact on athletes, coaches, and the broader community. Her final day with DPC will be December 31, 2026.

Penny joined DPC in 2005 as Chief Operating Officer, working in conjunction with Chief Technical Officer, Mitch Geller as the organization’s senior leadership team. During their unique partnership, the duo led the association to unprecedented growth and established Canadian diving as a global leader on the international scene.  Following Mitch’s departure in 2024, Penny took the reins as CEO providing ongoing operational stability while continuing to drive performance excellence, organizational strength, and world-class event hosting. 

“Diving Plongeon Canada has grown tremendously since I joined the organization in 2005, and I am incredibly proud of all that has been built over the past two decades,” said Penny.   “With DPC’s new staff structure now firmly in place and the recently announced increases in sport funding in Canada, the organization is well-positioned for continued growth and sustainable success. The highly dedicated and talented DPC team will undoubtedly keep the momentum going.”

“Penny’s leadership and work ethic have been key to the success of DPC over the past 20 years. Her competence has enabled the board, staff and volunteers to dream large and deliver. We are incredibly grateful to Penny for the important role she has played in ensuring Diving Plongeon Canada is a leading national and international sport entity” says Heather Turner, President of DPC. “On behalf of the DPC board of directors and the Canadian Diving community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to her for her exceptional service and wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”

“I have been deeply grateful to be part of the ‘small but mighty’ Canadian diving family’” added Penny. “The passion, commitment, creativity, and courage of the athletes, coaches, officials, board members, and administrators have been a constant source of inspiration to me.”

The recruitment process for a new CEO will begin in the coming weeks. Penny will remain in her role through the end of the year, fully committed to ensuring a smooth and successful transition to the next CEO.

Thursday, February 5, 2026 — Canada captured four medals at its first international competition of the 2026 season last weekend at the AGB International Diving Meet in Sheffield, Great Britain.

On the opening day of competition at this World Aquatics–recognized event, Mathilde Laberge and Sarah Carruthers both stepped onto the podium. Laberge, from Quebec, won the silver medal in the women’s 10 m event with a score of 284.30. Her compatriot Sarah Carruthers, from Toronto, claimed bronze with 271.75 points.

For Mathilde Laberge, the performance marked a personal best at this level of competition. “I was a little nervous for this competition since it was a senior international event,” said Laberge. “I really enjoyed it because the environment was different and it was new for me. I also had a lot of fun with my teammates. I’m really happy with my performance because it’s my personal best at a World Aquatics–recognized event, and I loved my experience in Great Britain.” Laberge trains at the Canadian Diving Institute in Montreal (CDI Montreal).

In the women’s 3 m synchronized event, Sonya Palkhivala (Pointe-Claire) and Margo Erlam (Saskatoon) teamed up and finished on the second step of the podium with a score of 271.20. They placed just three-tenths of a point behind the gold medalists, Great Britain’s Amy Rollinson and Desharne Brent-Ashmeil (271.50).

“Today was amazing,” said Palkhivala, who also trains at CDI Montreal. “I’m super proud of what Margo and I were able to accomplish. Even though we didn’t win, we were really close to first place. We’re very pleased with the result and we know we can do better. I’m also really happy because I successfully performed a new dive in competition for the first time, my 405B. Margo already had it in her list, but for me it was a first. I was very nervous, but it went well!”

Margo Erlam added a fourth medal to Canada’s total by winning silver in the women’s 3 m individual event with a score of 312.60 points.

Canada was also represented in the men’s 3 m individual event. Thomas Ciprick finished 10th in the final, ahead of his teammate Cédric Fofana, who placed 12th. Nathan Zsombor-Murray, competing in his first international event on the 3 m springboard, finished 13th.

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.  

July 2nd, 2025 (Winnipeg) – The 2025 Speedo Junior Development National Championship will make a splash in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from July 3–6, hosted at the iconic Pan Am Pool. This four-day event will bring together over 70 young divers from more than 15 clubs across the country, all striving for national titles and the chance to represent Canada on the international stage. 

Athletes will compete in two age categories, C and D, male and female, across three disciplines: the 1m springboard, 3m springboard, and platform events. With 12 finals scheduled over the competition’s four days, the stage is set for some of the country’s most promising young athletes to showcase their skills, determination, and sportsmanship. 

Each day will feature a full schedule of diving action, with preliminary rounds in the morning and finals in the afternoon. Families, teammates, and fans will fill the stands to cheer on these dedicated young divers as they perform with focus and flair, pushing themselves to reach new heights. 

Tickets are required for entry each day of the competition. A 1-day pass is available for $12, while a 4-day pass offers full event access for $30. Children aged 9 and under are admitted free of charge. Wristbands enable daily re-entry, allowing spectators to come and go between sessions with ease. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 

The event promises a vibrant and supportive atmosphere where rising stars can shine, and clubs can celebrate the results of their training and teamwork. For many of these divers, this championship is more than just a national competition; it’s a crucial step toward future international opportunities and a chance to leave their mark on the Canadian diving community. 

As the diving world turns its eyes to Winnipeg this July, anticipation builds for four days of exciting performances, unforgettable moments, and the emergence of the next generation of Canadian diving talent. 

Grab your tickets, mark your calendar, and get ready for four unforgettable days at the 2025 Speedo Junior Development National Championship. 

This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Government of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg, Dive Manitoba, Revolution Diving Club, the Government of Canada, Tourism Winnipeg and Speedo.

Ottawa, July 1st, 2025. – If there’s one place Canada can show its best nationwide support, it’s with its athletes. Travelling around the world while representing our maple leaf holds a certain level of pride that only we Canadians can express for years to come. To celebrate this year’s Canada Day, Diving Canada has decided to speak with some of our Olympic divers to get their perspective on the pride and greatness that come with representing the Canadian Maple Leaf around the world. 

Rylan Wiens started diving when he was just six years old. Now 23 and finishing his fourth year of kinesiology, he’s still as hooked on adrenaline as ever, whether it’s flying off a diving board or ripping through trails on a dirt bike. His Olympic journey has taken him to Tokyo and more recently, Paris, and it was there, in the City of Lights, that he brought home a bronze medal. That moment, seeing the Canadian flag rise and standing on the podium with teammate Nathan Zsombor-Murray, hit deep.  

“It was unbelievable. Each experience was amazing and different,” Wiens says.  
“Paris especially; no COVID this time, and having my family in the stands, our team together, and seeing the flag being lifted… that was something super unique I’ll cherish forever,” said Wiens. 

Coming home from Paris 2024 was a wave of emotions and a flood of support. 

“My phone blew up like I’ve never seen before. I don’t even know how long it took me to respond to everyone. It was awesome. And when I got back, just walking around, people came up to say how proud they were. It reminded me of everyone who helped me get here. It wasn’t just my medal; it belonged to all of us.” he continues. 

Nathan Zsombor-Murray, who shared that podium moment with Rylan, puts it simply but powerfully, “It felt good.” For Nathan, the weight of national pride is something he carries with humility and strength.  

“The pressure is a privilege. It takes a lot of hard work to get here, and people watching from Canada, they know that. We’re fairly united people in that sense, and I feel that energy when I’m competing. It’s a sense of pride knowing my country has my back.” 

And that pride doesn’t disappear once the game ends. It follows them home and becomes part of their story, their identity, and their everyday life. That’s what makes Canadian athletes so special,  not just what they do at the moment, but how they carry the spirit of the nation with them long after the crowd quiets down. 

As for what advice Wiens would give to the next generation of athletes who are preparing to step into the spotlight and feel the pressure of a nation watching, he’s clear, Try to be the best version of yourself! 

“We’re a great nation, accepting, supportive, and if we show that to the world, we’re showing what it means to be great. As a role model, I try to lead with that every day. That’s what I want the next generation to know,” said Wiens. 

On this Canada Day, it’s more than just red and white gear, more than waving flags and fireworks. It’s about taking a moment to recognize the people who take a piece of all of us with them every time they step onto a world stage. Rylan. Nathan. Every Canadian athlete. They don’t just compete, they represent. And they remind us just how powerful it is to stand for something bigger than ourselves. 

A story written by Elyse Barker