After much vying from local coaches, one-meter springboard diving has been reintroduced to Forsyth county swimming programs.
“Diving has been an event at Regionals and States, but never in the conference meets, so it now gives our kids a chance to qualify for those final two events,” Reynolds Athletic Director Brad Fisher said.
Reynolds swim coach Caroline Jones believes that diving will bring many advantages to the Reynolds swim program.
“The exclamation from the crowd at the double front flips and gainers at our meet on the [December] seventh seemed to concur that diving is going to be an exciting and beneficial addition to the program,” Jones said.
The main reason for the lack of diving in Forsyth County was the limited number of one-meter diving boards in the area, but through the efforts of Winston-Salem State University pool manager Charlie Schoderbek, that problem is now obsolete.
“Schoderbek made the push and did the fundraising for the installation of boards so all of Forsyth County could participate in diving when coming to WSSU,” Fisher said.
In the rules for a typical meet a diver must complete six total dives of varying techniques. Some dives are feet first, others are hand first, while some involve flips, and others twists. A diver must select what dive they will do and then perform it. Some of the main components a diver is judged on are their approach, height of dive, form and verticality upon entering the water and the splash of the entry.
Lee Watts, a sophomore who dives for the Reynolds swim team, spoke of the extra challenges that come with diving.
“It requires a lot of extra practice as well as really good coordination to do the more difficult dives,” Watts admitted.
However, Watts feels that the extra work was worth it.
“I really do it to help the team out,” Watts said.
Diving requires a lot of practice and discipline as practice is very important.
“Our divers practice on the board at Winston Salem State University from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Divers continuously alternate turns diving off the board while practicing varying techniques, forms, and difficulties. Additionally, divers train their core for stability and do plenty of stretching to promote clean tucks and pikes into the water,” Jones said.
The reintroduction of diving has brought new life and opportunity to the Reynolds swimming program. Reynolds divers hope to help the team throughout the season and compete successfully at the state level.