Pool Diving Tips

Swimming and pool parties are a classic way to beat the summer heat, and few things are more refreshing than taking a dive into the water. However, there are several basic safety, form and style tips to consider before attempting a dive.

  1. Safety

    • Refrain from running when near a pool to prevent slipping injuries. When diving into a pool, it is important to dive from a standing position at the very edge of the pool. It is also important to know the depth of the water you are about to dive into. Do not dive head first into water that is less than 5 feet deep. If you are on a diving board, make sure there is only one person on the board at a time.

      When diving, it is also important to make sure that no one is in the immediate area of the water you will be diving into, as it can be easy to hurt both the diver and swimmer. Most swimming public swimming pools should have posted information on the weight limits of the diving board, which you should take a look at before testing it out.

      Avoid diving alone and never dive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

    Form

    • Start with your toes slightly over the ledge of the pool or diving board. Bend your knees and lean forward, with your arms at your side. Spring forward, pushing your weight upward and out. As you enter the air, raise your arms over head, joining them together to form a point. Enter the water fingers first, straightening your body as you descend into the water, aiming to make the smallest splash possible.

    Special Dives

    • You do not always have to jump into the pool head first, as there are a number of other fun ways to enter. A "cannonball" is when you tuck your legs together under your arms as you enter a pool, creating a large splash. A "can opener" or "jackknife" is similar to a cannonball, but with one leg tucked underneath an arm and the other fully extended. A "gainer," a more advanced move, is an inverted front flip in which you enter the water feet first.

    Bellybusters

    • One of the most painful aspects to a dive can be landing directly on your back or stomach. Avoiding these misfires is simple and can save you a great deal of embarrassment and unpleasantness. When diving, always make sure to angle your body so that it is the first point of impact into the water. If performing a flip or back flip, start modestly to ensure you do not over rotate. Spinning too wildly in the air can cause you to lose control and orientation, possibly resulting in a painful splash directly on your back or stomach.