Types of Diving Board Platforms

The sport of diving is popular internationally and is a competitive sport in the Summer Olympics. Competitive diving follows standards set by FINA, the official international aquatic federation based in France. Diving encompasses both individual diving events as well as team events such as synchronized diving. There are six different types of dives in competitive diving. They are the forward group, backward group, reverse group, inward group, twisting group and arm-stand group.

  1. Springboards

    • Springboards are what most think of when they hear the term "diving board." These diving platforms flex with the weight of the diver and catapult the diver up into the air. Springboards have adjustable fulcrums that increase or decrease the flex created by the diver’s weight. Recreational springboards vary in height, but competitive springboards are placed at heights of 1 and 3 meters above the water. The standard dimensions of springboards are 16 feet in length and 20 inches in width. The diving board itself is covered with a coating that reduces slipping. For safety reasons, most springboards have rails on either side that extend to the water’s edge; the tip of the springboard extends between 5 and 6 feet beyond the edge of the pool.

    Diving Platforms

    • Platforms are higher than springboards. Competition platforms are 10 meters high. Alternative platform heights are 5 meters and 7 1/2 meters. This additional height creates additional risk. Due to their excessive height, diving platforms are surrounded on three sides by railing. The surfaces of diving platforms are also designed to reduce slipping. For a more predictable takeoff and enhanced safety, diving platforms are made of concrete and do not create the launching effect springboards have. They are also wide, allowing enough room for team events like synchronized diving. Their standard dimensions are 20 feet in length, and between 6 and 7 feet in width.

    Diving Blocks

    • Diving blocks are also known as starting blocks or starting platforms. Starting blocks are used in competitive swim racing. They are coated with an extremely rough surface so a swimmer can get a solid push to begin the race. The blocks are located on the deeper end of the pool. This makes for greater safety when the swimmers are entering the water. Starting blocks also slope forward; this serves to put the swimmer on her toes and allow for greater explosiveness at the start of the race. The platforms are situated about a half meter about the water, and the tops of the platforms are usually a half meter square.