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Although more and more people know and want to dive, it’s still a sport that surprises people when we talk to them.

Diving is one of the most watched events on television during the Olympic Games. Not surprising given the steadily increasing degree of difficulty of the dives that are being attempted by divers from all over the world.

Diving can be considered as much an art, as a sport, and sometimes even an extreme sport. Divers must perform multiple rotations and twists in the space of only a few seconds in the air. In order to combine beauty with agility, diving requires a variety of abilities.

+ Physical abilities: such as strength, power, muscular endurance, speed, coordination, flexibility, agility, balance, body awareness…
+ Mental abilities: such as courage, visualization, relaxation, self-confidence, self-improvement…
+ Other abilities: respect, leadership…  

Diving is a combination of all of these aspects, and by practicing it, you will be able to develop these abilities to your full potential.

A perfect water entry is achieved when your body is completely vertical to the water surface and your hands are securely tied together, resulting in the least amount of splashing possible. This “splash-less” entry is called a ”rip” in the world of diving and when performed properly, simulates the sound of ripping paper, from which it gets its name.

Although it may seem easy, achieving the perfect water entry takes a lot of practice. By choosing to practice the sport of diving, you will certainly have the opportunity to practice and eventually master this impressive technique.

Once you have the chance to learn all the essential safety elements of diving, contrary to what many may think, you will realize that it is a sport that is very safe to practice. Signing up for diving lessons will help you learn the basics and therefore gain a better understanding of the risks that people can sometimes associate with diving.

+ You will discover several tips on how to avoid certain injuries, such as:
– knowing the depths required to dive from a certain height (ex: to dive from a height of 1m, how many feet / meters deep should the pool be?);
– achieving the correct water entry position to protect the body from the impact of water;
– understanding techniques in order to safely perform new dives (such as the “back flip” and many others);
– recognizing the proper techniques to ensure a safe diving distance from the springboard or platform.

It’s important to learn these tips, but also to put them into practice. The coach’s main goal is to allow divers to reach their full potential while always maintaining a safe environment.

Of course, diving is practiced mainly in the pool. However, part of it is also done outside the swimming pool: tumbling on mattresses and trampoline, agility training with the ladder, yoga sessions to improve posture, training on the dry-board…This sport combines training that will be done both inside and outside of the water.

Although some of the training is done on dry land (on the edge of the pool, in the weight room, on dry boards and trampolines, etc.), this sport will allow you to be in the water year-round!

Diving lessons are offered in a group environment, by dividing the groups so that divers of the same level are placed together. This way, you will be able to learn at your own pace, while forging friendships with athletes of your age who are passionate about the same discipline as you. In addition, many educational activities are integrated into the training which makes for a fun sport to practice.

Admittedly, divers do compete individually, however the team aspect is very ubiquitous. The training is done mostly with other athletes, the trips are done in teams, and the coaches expect to hear you screaming from the bleachers when you’re not the one performing. There are also synchronized events that are done in pairs, not to mention the time quality time that is spent with the coach.

Diving is a sport that will push you to constantly go beyond your limits. When you are able to master some positions, your coach will suggest others. All the more, do not forget the rush of adrenaline that comes from jumping down platforms from 5m, 7.5m or 10m!

Public swimming pools are regulated and restrict you in types of dives and heights from which you can jump. Home swimming pools also present several dangers. Once you register for diving lessons, and your coach deems you ready, you will be able to practice a multitude of tricks / moves, and jump from heights that will allow you to surpass your limits, all the while doing it in a safe pool.

By diving, you will be able to learn a lot of new things that you can then show to your family and friends!

The Canadian diving team is known for its strength and performance. Canada divers have won multiple medals at the Olympic Games at the past five Olympics, the longest current streak in Canadian Summer Sports.

The high dive is a separate discipline from regular diving, but requires all the same abilities and is also part of the International Swimming Federation (FINA). In addition to the diving events already on the program, high diving will be in demonstration in Paris 2024.

Diving is an aquatic sport that debuted as an Olympic event in 1904. Today, the sport of diving is sanctioned by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), and contains a total of 8 different events at the Olympic Games:

+ women’s and men’s individual 3 meter springboard events (2);
+ women’s and men’s synchronized 3 meter springboard events (2);
+ women’s and men’s individual 10 meter platform events (2);
+ women’s and men’s synchronized 10 meter platform events (2).

The mixed 3-meter and 10-meter synchronized diving events were added to the international diving circuit in 2015. Will they ever be at the Olympics? It remains to be seen…

But rest assured that diving isn’t a sport that is only practiced at the Olympics! Different levels of lessons are offered across the country, from intro to diving for ages 5 and under, all the way up to the Masters for those 80 years and up. No matter the level or the age, it’s possible to learn and to enjoy diving.

Many terms are used in the diving world to refer to specific things. There are several terms that will allow you to better understand the sport of diving.

First, there are six different types of dives that fall into 6 different groups:
Group 1 = Front (moving forward, rotating forward)
Group 2 = Back (standing backward, rotating backward)
Group 3 = Reverse (moving forward, rotating backward)
Group 4 = Inward (standing backward, rotating forward)
Group 5 = Twisting (rotating and twisting at the same time)
Group 6 = Armstand (starting from armstand on platform only)

Then there are four positions in which the dive can be performed:
A: Straight
B: Pike
C: Tuck
D: Free (used only on twisting dives)

That’s not all! The types of dives and positions are combined so that each existing dive is identifiable. Each dive is assigned a code number of 3 to 4 numbers and a single letter:

The first digit indicates the direction of rotation or type of dive
1 = Front
2 = Back
3 = Reverse
4 = Inward
5 = Twisting
6 = Armstand

The second digit indicates the initial position of flight for groups 1 to 4
1 = Flying
2 = Not flying

The third digit indicates the number of ½ somersaults
1 = A simple dive (½ rotation)
2 = One somersault (1 full rotation)
3 = 1½ somersaults (1 full rotation + ½ a rotation)
4 = 2 somersaults (2 full rotations)
etc.

The fourth digit indicates the number of ½ twists
1 = ½ twist
2 = 1 twist
3 = 1 ½ twists
4 = 2 twists
etc.

The last character indicates the position
A: Straight
B: Pike
C: Tuck
D: Free

Once you’re able to identify them, it’s important to know that each dive also has its degree of difficulty (DD). The DD varies according to the level of difficulty of the dive and the height at which it is executed. Currently on the circuit, the dives that have the highest DD are the 109B (4½ front pike), the 5257B (2½ back with 3½ twists) and the 409C (4½ inward tuck) on the 10 meter platform with a DD of 4.1.

Other terms you may hear if you watch competitions or take part in diving sessions…

+ A “rip” entry = is a “splash-less” entry into the water, every diver strives to execute this properly
+ A “vertical” entry = is the desired position of the body, perfectly perpendicular to the surface of the water (the vertical water entry). It can also indicate the direction of the body when leaving the springboard or platform (the vertical departure).
+ A “short” entry = represents a water entry that is shorter than the vertical, therefore it lacks rotation.
+ An “over the vertical” entry = represents a water entry that is greater than the vertical, therefore it results in too much rotation.
+ The connection = represents the moment where the diver will take his position in the air.
+ “Whip” = refers to the action that is done by the divers at the beginning of the dive to create the rotation. A term that may seem strange if you don’t fully understand the definition in relation to diving.
+ Being “tight” = a term that coaches like to use to describe a muscle contraction throughout the whole body that allows for better control and precision.
+ A “gainer” = refers to the desired position during the dive opening which results in a maximum abdominal contraction.

The number of dives to be executed during competition may vary according to the level of the competition (ex: regional, provincial, national, etc.) and the type of event (junior, senior, individual, synchronized or mixed).

During the Olympic Games or competitions on the international circuit, male divers must perform between 6 dives, while female divers perform 5 divers, either on the 3 meter springboard or the 10 meter platform:

During competitions, divers can only perform a maximum number of dives. However, during training they can practice hundreds of different dives in order to improve their competitive dives. Repetition is an essential element in achieving diving performance.

When watching the dives, judges must consider five different phases:
1) The starting position on the board (body alignment);
2) The approach and hurdle (fluidity, rhythm);
3) The take-off (power, direction, distance from the springboard/platform);
4) The flight (in the air, positions, openings, solidity);
5) The entry (splash, vertical or not in relation to the water).

The judges watch the dive and then instantly provide a score between 0 and 10, including half points. In order to give their score, they must not only observe the 5 phases of the dive, but must also respect a scale of marks which represents the level of satisfaction of the dive that was executed.

0 points: Completely failed
0.5 to 2 points: Unsatisfactory
2.5 to 4.5 points: Deficient
5 to 6.5 points: Satisfactory
7 to 8 points: Good
8.5 to 9.5 points: Very good
10 points: Excellent
What is the difference between good and exceptional diving? There are four main factors that often come into play:
1) Strength and power;
2) Economy of movement throughout the dive;
3) Tight positions and good body lines;
4) Precision.

The results are calculated very similarly for synchronized events as for individual events:

The high dive is an event that will perhaps be added to the programming for the 2024 Olympic Games. This event that requires a great deal of courage and composure, since men dive from 27 meter platforms and women 20 meters. The difference in height for men and women is related to their body composition, taking into consideration the impact when entering the water following a dive from such heights.

Did you know that: the speed at which the divers enter the water can vary up to 50 km/h when they dive from a height of 10 meters. Therefore, imagine if they dive from a height of almost 30 meters, the speed can reach up to 85 km/h… That’s why high divers always enter feet first; otherwise the human body could not withstand the force of the impact.

Diving requires only a basic set of swimming skills: you have to be able to resurface and swim to the edge of the pool without difficulty.

It’s called a chamois, but divers like to call it a shammy. It is a small, super-absorbent towel that divers like to use between their dives to keep warm and to make sure they don’t slip when they perform multiple rotations in the air. You can buy one at any specialty swimwear store, but a car chamois found in a retail store can be just as good and will be much less expensive!

The wheel located at the base of the springboard is used to adjust the flexibility of the board. There are usually numbers from 1 to 9 located near the wheel. 1 allows for the least amount of bend possible and 9 allows for the most.

You don’t have to go to an Olympic swimming pool with 10m platforms in order to learn how to dive. A school swimming pool with 1m springboard is enough for someone who wants to try for the first time. A complete list of clubs can be found below, under “Find your club”

• When diving from the 10m platform, the speed at which the divers reach the surface can reach up to 50km/h at impact.
•  High diving is a separate discipline from regular diving, and is also part of the International Swimming Federation (FINA). It might also become an Olympic event by the Olympic Games in 2024.

 Each dive is assigned a code number of three or four digits, as well as a letter from A to D. You can purchase a Diving 101 guide from the Diving Canada website (www.diving.ca). 

For someone who is new to diving, starting with the 10m platform is not recommended! Make sure to progress gradually by starting from the edge, eventually climbing to higher heights and more difficult dives once you’re ready.

A strong starting posture demonstrates stability and balance on the springboard. The diver’s spine should be stretched, shoulders straightened to be at the height of his ears and arms straightened.

Tip: you should feel as though you are at your tallest and that the joints in your body are stretched to their fullest.

Whenever possible, you must remember to point your feet when you’re in the air. The judges definitely keep their eyes on them during competitions.

A perfect water entry is achieved when your body is completely vertical to the water surface and your hands are securely tied together, resulting in the least amount of splashing possible. This “splash-less” entry is called a ”rip” in the world of diving and when performed properly, simulates the sound of ripping paper, from which it gets its name.

Tip: to achieve a ”rip”, the palm of your hand must be flat to the pool and you must break the surface of the water by separating your hands and placing your arms along your bo

Diving is a sport that doesn’t require a lot of equipment, you need at least a swimsuit, and that’s it. 

For WOMEN’s swimsuits, there’s a simple trick: grab both straps on your swimsuit with your thumbs and pull them up. If they rise higher than your ears, your swimsuit is too big.

For MEN’s swimsuits, it’s important to buy a swimsuit that has a drawstring that can be used to tighten the swimsuit at the waist to ensure that it will stay on. Divers typically wear Speedo swimsuits because they fit much better and allow judges to see the line of their legs when they dive.