Welcome to the Splashing World of Diving!

Congratulations, diving parents! Your child has embarked on a thrilling journey into the world of aquatic acrobatics. Diving is a fantastic sport that combines athleticism, grace, and a whole lot of mental strength. Here's a brief summary of what the sport is about. You'll learn as you go!

Diving Basics:

• Springboard Heights: divers can jump from 1m to more than 20 meters. During summer season, your diver will only dive from 1m springboard and, if interested, from a 3 meter springboard at the Wally Martin Meet.

Types of Dives:

• By Direction:
  • Forward/Front: Diver enters the water facing the springboard.
  • Backward: Diver takes off facing away from the board.
  • Inward: Diver rotates inwards during the somersault(s).
  • Reverse: Diver rotates outwards during the somersault(s).
• By Body Position:
  • Somersault: Flips performed in the air.
  • Twist: Body rotates along the longitudinal axis (think corkscrew).
  • Free Hands Stand: A momentary handstand position in the air.
• By Leg Position:
  • Tuck: Tightest position, knees pulled to chest.
  • Pike: Legs are straight with knees slightly bent.
  • Straight: Fully extended body position.

Scoring:

Dives are judged on several factors like approach, takeoff, body position in the air (tuck, pike, or straight), entry into the water, and minimal splash. Each judge awards points (usually from 0 to 10), and the final score is the average of all judges' scores.

Age Groups:

Diving competitions are divided into age groups, allowing divers to compete against others with similar physical development. These are the age groups during the NVSL summer league. Use your child's age in June 1st to figure out his/her age group:

Freshman: 10 and under

Junior: 11 and 12

Intermediate: 13 and 14

Senior: 15 and up

Each age group has different required dives.

Dive Numbers Explained:

Dive codes tell you everything about the dive! Here's how to decipher them:

• The first digit indicates the dive group (forward = 1, backward = 2, etc.).
• The second and third digits represent the number of somersaults and twists (e.g., 01 for no somersault, 32 for three somersaults and two twists).
• The final letter denotes the leg position (A = tuck, B = pike, C = straight).

For example, a 101c is a front dive (1) with no somersault or twists (01), and a tuck position (c). A 303b would be a reverse dive (3) with three somersaults and no twists (03), and a pike position (b).

This is just the beginning of your diving adventure! 

As your child progresses, you'll discover more intricate dives and the captivating world of competitive diving. 

Remember, the most important thing is for your child to enjoy the process, learn new skills, and build confidence while having a splash!