Learn How To Dive Like A Professional

Featured Image: Photo by Gentrit Sylejmani via Unsplash

Do you want to become a lifeguard, and don't know where to start? Or do you just want to show off at the pool this summer? Well, you should first make sure you know how to dive.

Learning how to dive can be a lot of fun, and diving has been around for a long time. In fact, diving was included in the Olympic games in the early 1900s. But it goes back even farther.

There is a tomb called "Tomb of the Diver" that was constructed in 480 BC. How cool is that?

Have you ever wondered how the Olympic divers learned to dive so well? You may be amazed to find out what they learned to become a part of the team, and how you can learn to do it too (although you may not look like those divers at first).

Do you ever wonder what it takes to dive like a professional? You will be shocked to learn you may be able to start learning the skill at your local swimming pool.

Different styles of diving

When learning how to dive, you will discover that there is more than one way. Yes, that's right, you don't just jump into the pool and go, there is a real technique to a proper dive.

Not only is there more than one way to dive, but there are six different positions you can dive from, and they are separated into groups. Wild, I know.

Check it out, you can dive in the following ways:

Forward dive

A forward dive is when the diver jumps up while on the springboard, rotates their body forward, and enters the water headfirst -- or in some cases, feetfirst.

Below is a video of a basic forward dive:

Back dive

A back dive is when the diver stands with their back to the water on the springboard or platform, jumps in the air, and rotates backward into the water.

Check out the video below of how to do a simple back dive:

Reverse dive

Also known as a gainer, the diver faces the water, jumps like a normal dive but then they rotate back toward the diving board.

Take a moment and watch how it is done, with the video provided below.

Inward dive

In this dive, the diver will have their back towards the water, and then when they take off, they will rotate back towards the board.

Watch the video below:

Twisting dive

Any take-off position that contains a twist in it, is considered a twisting dive.

Enjoy the video below and try not to twist!

Armstand dive

The diver can face towards the water or have their back towards the water while doing a handstand and will jump into the water.

The amazing video below shows examples of how to do an armstand dive:

Different exercises to do before diving

Before just taking that huge leap into the water, you will need to teach your body how to dive and how to do it without getting hurt.

Now, if you are just going to dive once, you may not need to take a class, but if you are planning on doing it over and over, you may need to learn the proper way of how to dive. Most divers stretch and do a few swimming routines before they dive. You will learn these things if you take a diving class.

When you practice over and over, your form of diving should improve. The diving class will work your body out, and it will teach your body to accept the way you want to move, and it will help prepare your lungs how to hold air while you are underwater.

Learning to dive is essential regardless if you want to make it to the Olympics, or if you are just jumping from the highest board for fun. There are rules you need to know if you are planning on diving competitively.

You do not want to try and show off for your friends and end up breaking your back.

Safety in your backyard swimming pool

Safety is the most important thing about diving. We know you might want to dive right in, but it is not safe to run and jump from just anywhere around the pool.

When diving into your pool at home, we have a few rules to keep you safe:

Proper gear if you want to be a professional diver

If you are planning on becoming a professional diver, then you will need to get the correct equipment.

Professional divers must wear a cap on their heads, and some divers actually wear two caps. The second cap helps hold on their goggles. Further, Olympic divers have found that the second cap helps reduces drag while they are swimming.

In some public pools, they require you to wear a cap because it helps keep the pool clean.

Also, Olympic divers use different types of tape on their body. When the diver hits the water, it can hurt their wrist, and the tape has been found to help reduce that.

For any type of diving, it is nice to have a mini towel to wipe your face off after your fantastic dive. Olympic divers have been seen using shammy towels, which you can find while shopping on Amazon.

Photo by Marco Sartori via Unsplash

When you start you learn how to dive, it is best to start in a sitting position. After you are comfortable with that, then you will move on to a kneeling position. Now, after you have mastered the kneeling position, you should practice in a standing position. Once you have that under control, then it is time for you to go on the diving board.

With all the things that we do in life, we have found that practice makes perfect. No matter how many times it takes, you will get it, and diving can be so much fun, so never give up.

Now, depending on if you want to have a diving career or if it is just to impress someone, learning the correct way to dive is essential.

Learning how to dive correctly has its benefits, and here are just a few examples:

Photo by Chrissie Kremer via Unsplash

Diving is an amazing activity you can do for fun or as a career. Either way, it is safer to take a class to learn the proper techniques and rules on how to dive.

Do you already know how to dive? What age did you learn? Please let us know in the comment section below.