Leisure Kicks - The essencial sport and leisure guide

With its spectacular twists and flips, diving is a sport that is both visually engaging and incredibly athletic. It has become one of the most popular sports at the summer Olympic Games and with athletes like Tom Daley and Tonia Couch gaining success on the world stage, along with the popularity of ITV show Splash!, diving is exploding across the UK. On top of all this, Daley has been opening diving academies across the country to get more people involved in this dynamic sport.

There has never been a better time to dive in! The competitive sport of diving involves an athlete jumping into a pool from either a platform or springboard, which may be at various heights. People who take up diving learn the importance of spatial, air and body awareness as well as developing strength and flexibility – much like gymnasts or dancers. In competition, divers perform individually or in pairs – an event called synchronised diving.

Each event involves a set number of dives and each includes the three main phases of diving: takeoff, flight and entry. Many of the nuances of diving form are perfected by using dry land training. Diving is best suited to people looking to use their flexibility, build their strength and challenge their minds.

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A look at some of the best divers the Olympics has ever seen