Diving can be considered both an art and a sport - and on countless occasions, an extreme sport. More and more athletes at diving events, such as Olympic diving, are attempting new, complex dives and pushing the boundaries of the diving sport.
To perform these dives, athletes must develop various abilities: physically, they have to possess muscular endurance, agility, balance, and flexibility among other strengths; mentally, they must remain relaxed, confident and resilient during events like springboard diving.
By attending a diving school, athletes and diving enthusiasts can build on these abilities and become confident in the diving sport. Let's look at where to learn diving in Malaysia!
But first, let's take a look at the history of diving and what to expect when joining the diving sport.
Diving is a leap of faith plus gravity. - Gabrielle Zevin
What is the history of diving sport in Malaysia?
Olympic diving became an official programme in 1904, which kicked off the rapid development of the diving sport in the early 20th century.
Malaysia first experienced success in diving around the early 2000s.
In the early years when diving first made its way to Malaysia, young talents were recruited to join the only diving school at the time, which was Persekutuan Renang Malaysia or Malaysia Aquatics. By nurturing these hopefuls, Malaysia achieved outstanding results in the World Junior Diving Championships.
Bryan Nickson Lomas won Malaysia's first World Junior Diving Championship gold medal in the 3-metre springboard diving event of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
After these early achievements, the country's diving team continued to train in the diving disciplines and excelled in other international diving sport events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and SEA Games. Undoubtedly, Malaysia's biggest achievement in diving took place in 2012 when Datuk Pandelela Rinong won the country's first medal in Olympic diving.
Are you aware that both Bryan Nickson Lomas and Pandelela Rinong were born and raised in the beautiful state of Sarawak?
Many other amazing diving athletes helped to popularise the diving sport in Malaysia, including Datuk Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Ooi Tze Liang and Ng Yan Yee. Be it springboard diving or on the platform, these athletes earned recognition and glory for our country and inspired future generations to take up the diving sport!
Learn more about our famous Malaysian diving athletes.
How many disciplines are there in diving?
If you attend a diving school, you will notice that there are various springboards and platforms of varying heights relative to the surface of the pool.
In all official diving sport events, springboard diving is set at 1 metre and 3 metres above the water's surface. In platform diving, platforms are set to 5 metres, 7.5 metres and 10 metres above the water's surface. However, Olympic diving uses only the 3-metre springboard and 10-metre platform in its events.
Hence, the number of dives and disciplines that athletes need to execute in diving events depends on the level of competition and the type of event. As an example, a regional men's diving event and an international women's synchronised diving event will have a different set of dives and rules.
More on the unique diving rules and regulations here.
Some other disciplines of diving that athletes need to prepare for include:
- Diving groups: front, back, reverse, inward, twisting, armstand
- Body positions: straight, pike, tuck, free
- Entry: achieving a "rip" or vertical entry as opposed to "short" or "over-the-vertical" entry
Now, all these different terms and rules may make it seem like springboard diving and other disciplines will never be accessible to you.
This is completely untrue!
Different levels of diving lessons are offered throughout the country and even children ages 5 and under can begin taking lessons as an introduction to diving. Nonetheless, if you are talented at diving and want to pursue the diving sport, you may be scouted for your talent and become the next Leong Mun Yee!
No matter your age and swimming level, it is possible to get into a diving school and learn more about the sport.
Curious to know more about competitive diving terminology and history?
Where is the top diving school in Malaysia?
Many Malaysian athletes who have qualified for Olympic diving started their journey at the swimming pool. Datuk Leong Mun Yee, for example, was originally a swimmer but switched to a diving school at the age of 10 in preparation for the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
When looking for a diving school, it is recommended that you look for schools funded by local or governing bodies as these places will already have fixed coaches and professionals training adults and young talent. You may have to inquire in advance whether diving lessons are available before making your way to the diving school.
You can pick up skills for competitive diving or even train to become a diving athlete at any of the diving schools below.
D Swim Academy @ National Aquatic Centre
This academy is widely recognised for being a gold-level certified AUSTSWIM swim centre in Malaysia, which means that the classes at this academy have met industry standards for swimming and water safety. While the academy runs various branches across the country, you will need to head to the National Aquatic Centre to enrol in their diving school.
As the diving school is run by Datuk Leong Mun Yee herself, the programme offered by DSA also aims to spot budding talent and prepare them for international-level competitions. You can find beginner and intermediate-level classes but it is open to swimmers ages 5 and above only.
Location: Level 3, National Aquatic Centre, Bukit Jalil, KL Sports City, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Lesson hours: Sundays (8.00 a.m. - 9.00 a.m.; 9.00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m.) and Wednesdays (7.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.)
Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre
This diving school was formerly known as Sarawak Aquatic Centre but was renamed by the state government in honour of the country's diving queen, Pandelela Rinong after she won medals in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Did you know that all the pools here were built in compliance with the latest World Aquatics (FINA) standards? Divers here are trained to continue Malaysia's legacy in Olympic diving.
In addition to the Olympic-size competition pool, diving pool and platforms, there are also leisure pools for you to begin training if you need to first build your basic swimming skills. According to an article in the Borneo Post, anyone aged 6 and above is welcome to register at the aquatic centre and will be accepted into the diving programme after completing some tests.
Location: Sarawak Sports Corporation Stadium Sarawak, Jalan Stadium, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Lesson hours: Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays); call numbers on the website to find out more about coaching times
Likas Sports Complex Aquatic Centre
If you are based in Kota Kinabalu, then you may want to head over to this aquatic centre and get into the diving sport! In addition to the competition pools at this centre, you will also find facilities for springboard diving and platform diving readily available.
Arowana Diving Club is a popular diving school that trains children and youths at this aquatic centre, so you may want to reach out to their coaches and get to know their lessons. Take note that renovation and upgrading works are currently being done though, so do call ahead to check when the aquatic centre is reopening (training is being carried out at the Penampang Sports Complex swimming pool until further notice).
Location: Jalan Kompleks Sukan, Likas, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Lesson hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, call 082-222034 to find out more about diving lessons
Now you can choose from these cool diving schools and even get the chance to learn diving with Datuk Leong Mun Yee!
Improve in the diving sport with Superprof
How long does it take to get good at springboard diving?
The answer depends on the individual, but you should first possess the necessary swimming skills.
For any diving school, students must know how to swim before training in diving disciplines.
If this is your concern, then look no further than Superprof for the best swimming lessons near you.
A common issue faced by students who want to learn to swim is finding a tutor who is patient enough to help them overcome their fear of water. Fortunately, you can find swimming instructors on Superprof who are proven to help students build their confidence in the water and have years of coaching experience.
To find your ideal swimming instructor, head over to the Superprof Tutors page to find swimming instructors according to these preferences:
- Levels of swimming (beginner, kids, intermediate, etc)
- One-to-one or group swimming lessons
- Finding a tutor near your area
- Lessons according to your budget
- Schedule lessons based on your availability
Did you know you can even start your first swimming lesson for free? Make use of this opportunity to learn swimming with Superprof and start your journey towards diving with us.
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