The art of jumping into the water by executing acrobatics in the air involving physical and technical skills is termed as Diving. The participants (divers) perform gymnastics in an own way after jumping off the platform or flexible springboard. It was first started as a competition in England during 1800s and evolved as Olympic sports in 1904 for men. Later in 1912, women also began participating in this competition and performed worthier.
The divers have to perform acrobatic twists and turns with the least amount of splash while submerging into the water for which they are judged and scored according to the perfection. The type of diving is chosen by the divers before the meet starts which can’t be altered later. The scores are given by judges for take-off, acrobatics in the air and the manner they hit the water surface.
To score highest in the competition by executing gymnastic turns and twists in the air before submerging into the water
Multiple creators and researchers worked hard to build up the advancements that would, in the end, change diving into what it is today:
- John Lethbridge created an underwater diving machine in 1715 that conveyed its air supply with the device. This machine depended on ties or ropes that were chained to the surface, so it worked more like a jumping chime than a single scuba diving mechanical assembly in itself.
- Sieur Freminet made an outfit that enabled its user to drag a store of air behind them. He named his gadget the machine hydrostatergatique and utilised it effectively for a long time.
- William James developed a suit with a cap produced using copper and calfskin that included air contained in a storage cylinder.
- Sieur Touboulic licensed the initially known oxygen rebreather, yet analysts still can't seem to go over any sign that a model was ever produced.
- Manuel Theodore Guillaumet got the patent for the first regulator system known to humankind. Be that as it may, it was never mass created because of unaddressed wellbeing concerns.
Platform (High Diving)
Individual or Synchronised diving is performed by both men and women from a 10m platform. The number of dives may vary for men and women.
Springboard
Individual or Synchronised diving is performed by both men and women from -
- 3m Springboard
- 1m Springboard
At present, both men and women participate in the sport. Women participated for the first time in diving at the Olympic Games of 1912, held in Stockholm
Forward Dive
The diver faces water and dives on by rotating towards the water.
Backward Dive
The diver stands rearward at the springboard and dives on by rotating towards the water.
Reverse Dive
In this dive, the diver faces in the direction of water but rotates towards the springboard or platform while diving.
Inward Dive
The diver stands rearward facing the springboard and rotates in the same direction to dive in the water.
Arm-Stand Dive
This kind of diving is performed only on platforms, beginning with a handstand and then jumping into the water.
Twisting Dive
This dive is carried out by adding a twist or combination with any of the dive move.
Diving Pool
There are two bases from which divers jump into the water. One is a robust and nonflexible platform with a nonslip surface measuring around 20 feet long and 6.5 feet wide. The depth of the pool varies according to the height of the platform. Another medium to dive is a springboard which measures around 16 feet in length and 20 inches in breadth. It is made of a flexible and nonskid material which is 1m or 3m high from the water surface. The boards are guarded by strong rails and extended beyond the pool’s edge over the water.
Diving Heights
Divers dive from different heights. For high diving, the height for men is 10m whereas for women; it is 9m. In the case of diving from springboard which is a flexible platform measuring 1m, men dive into the water from 11m height whereas women dive from 10m height.
Referee
The one who is responsible for conducting the events according to the rules and ensures that divers perform the same dive as chosen.
Judges
Usually, five judges give scores to each diver’s performance, but this number may exceed to 7 for major events.
Announcer
The one who announces diver's name, type of diving, the degree of difficulty and final scores given to the diver.
Secretary
The one who supervises the scoring table and validates the results.
