High Diving Dreams: A Vision for Outdoor Thrills
15th April 2024
As we look toward the future of our exhilarating sport, we are continually pondering what the next big step might be. While traditional indoor diving centres face all so familiar challenges and even closures, should we look to a piece of the past to revitalize a new chapter in our sport. The growing momentum of high diving and resurgence of outdoor community swimming spaces like lidos could provide a hint. Here’s why the future might just hold a place for outdoor high diving facilities in the UK.
The Decline of Traditional Diving Centres
As an aspiring athlete, you might discover that accessing diving facilities is becoming increasingly challenging. There has been a declining number of diving boards in the UK over the past few decades. Rising maintenance costs, reduced funding and shifting priorities have led to closures of indoor diving centres. Funding to smaller more accessible “satellite facilities” has been cut off leading to a barrier to entry for many. Only Elite centralised centres are providing necessary Clubs for those pursuing a bright future in diving.
Continued Interest in Springboard and Platform Diving
We still have a strong interest in springboard and platform diving, inspired by figures like Tom Daley, Jack Laugher and Andrea Sirieix who continue to top the World and Olympic diving competitions. A need for better marketing and more exciting/accessible competition formats are definitely in need.
The Rise of High Diving
No doubt everyone reading this has seen the breathtaking feats of divers plunging from extreme heights. It seems like an age as they twist and turn, over and over before hitting the water at 85kph. High diving is pushing the boundaries of the sport to new heights and has amassed huge popularity. The Red Bull Cliff Diving Tour is a great example of this and draws huge crowds for its exciting party like atmosphere in iconic locations.
Renewed Communities and the Lido Revival
There continues to be community-driven initiatives aiming to revive outdoor swimming pools like lidos. Restoration and reinvigoration of lidos reflect a growing desire from local bathers to experience these outdoor pools. There is a growing appreciation for outdoor recreation and the need to preserve historic venues.
Looking Ahead: Is There a Case for Outdoor High Diving Facilities?
High Diving facilities are needed in the UK. We must look to capitalise on this growing interest as well as look to develop athletes that can compete in this ever-growing sport. Not only that, with the opportunities to host competitions (like the world championships and world cups for High Diving) we must look to provide purpose-built venues that could attract huge crowd. Repurposing existing lidos could even provide opportunities for divers and greater revenue opportunities for outdoor centres. Not so long-ago London lidos like Parliament Hill, Brockwell and Finchley Lido even had their own structures.
So, could we soon see the compelling work of Hilsea Lido for example pay dividends and recreate an exciting diving venue of the past. The arguments laid out seem to point to a desire for it. Personally, I would jump at the chance to see a Red Bull style high diving event hosted in London but is that maybe just a leap too far.
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