Diving boards give divers the height they need to accomplish aerial flips, turns and other tricks during a competition. The boards can also be enjoyed just as an exhilarating form of entertainment. The Fédération Internationale de Natation, which sets swimming and diving standards, has created basic requirements for diving boards to ensure competition fairness as well as diver safety.
Height
Diving boards come in five standard heights. The tallest three -- 10 meters, 7.5 meters and 5 meters -- are used for competition, while the shorter two -- 2.6 to 3 meters and 0.6 to 1 meter -- are typically used for training or confidence-building.
Width
Diving boards must have the proper width to allow divers to get into the proper stance. Widths for the two shorter diving board heights measure out at 0.6 meter. Meanwhile, 5-meter- and 7.5-meter-tall boards have a width of 1.5 meters and 10-meter-tall platforms have a width of 3 meters.
Length
When doing a dive, the diver generally takes a hop or step forward. Thus, adequate board length is essential. A length of 5 meters comes recommended for the two shorter diving board platforms, while a 6-meter length is required for the three taller platforms.
Covering
Diving boards get wet, and therefore must not be slippery or else the diving board user may slip and fall. Any non-slip, resilient surfacing material will suffice, such as a thin layer of rubber matting.
Thickness
Diving board manufacturers make them thin to enhance the bouncing action when someone jumps off the board. While thickness isn't regulated, FINA recommends that the front edge of the diving board measure between 0.2 and 0.3 meter.
Pool Depth
Approximately 25 percent of all diving-related spinal cord injuries occur in swimming pools due to water that's too shallow to accommodate the diving. For safety and performance, boards at a height of 2.6 to 3 meters should be above 3.6 meters of water; 0.6- to 1-meter boards should be above 3.3 meters; and 5-meter, 7.5-meter and 10-meter boards should be above 3.8 meters, 4.5 meters and 5 meter of water, respectively.
Member Comments