Ainsley Oliver of Dive Sask came to Yorkton for a three-day course on proper diving techniques to a small group at the Gallagher Centre swimming pool. Dive Sask is the provincial sport governing body for diving in Saskatchewan and tries to ensure that member clubs operate with safety and integrity in mind. They are committed to developing and promoting safe diving.
Oliver was the instructor for the three-day clinic held here over the weekend, said diving isn't as easy as it looks.
"It's technical, aesthetic. It takes time (to learn)," she said. She said most kids who take up the sport start it at a young age. Her class at the Gallagher Centre included five kids, ranging in age.
Oliver said they all grasped the learning stations easily.
"I try to make it a fun experience."
Part of her teaching methods involved using mats on the diving board as well as jumping into the water backwards. "It's an exciting learning experience," she said with a smile.
Oliver said there are six different ways to jump off a diving board.
They include: forwards, backwards, in reverse, inward, twisting and the platform handstand, she said, adding that the platform handstand is the most complex to learn.
Oliver said her use of the mat was designed to help each child learn co-ordination and keeping the body tight and in place.
"Kids need to gain co-ordination," she said, "(You need to) stay tight on the mat."
According to the DiveSask web site, diving has been an Olympic sport and first appeared at the Games in 1904.
