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Novice divers from all over the South of Britain will converge at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex this weekend to show their skills at the Peter Waterfield Novice Diving Competition. Over eighty youngsters aged from 7 to 16 years will take to the boards on Saturday 4th October in an event that will follow the same conditions as the National Skills final, due to be held next March. It will be the first opportunity for many of the competitors to making a qualifying standard that will allow them to apply for a place at the prestigious National event, which is an important stepping stone towards the top of the sport. The competition will be opened by Peter Waterfield himself. Widely regarded as the most successful diver Britain has ever had, Peter's best known achievement was when he won a silver medal at the Olympics in Athens in 2004 in the 10m sychronised diving event, partnered by Leon Taylor from Sheffield. At the halfway mark members of the Diving Academy's Elite Squad, including Olympian Blake Aldridge and Gary Hunt, a member of the English team at the Commonwealth Games, will treat the competitors and spectators to a display of international standard diving. There will be a big squad of local divers competing in the event, all of whom will be hoping to contribute to keeping the team trophy here in Southampton. "The Academy usually makes a very good showing at this home event and we don't expect this year to be any different!" explained Chair of Southampton Diving Academy, Annie Clewlow. "This will be the first event of the new season and will be an opportunity for our up and coming divers to sharpen their claws ready for a very challenging year." |
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| For further details call Annie Clewlow on 023 8072 0922 / 07910 300232 or email annie.clewlow@southampton.gov.uk. |