Dublin Diving Club - News

Vladyslava Shapoval appointed as National Diving Coach

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:10:52 GMT

Swim Ireland have recently appointed Vladyslava Shapoval as the new Irish National Diving Coach.

Vlada has a wealth of diving experience which she brings to the post. Starting out in gymnastics at a very young age, Vlada began diving at the age of 10 where she excelled at the sport. She attended a school that catered specifically for elite athletes. Competing at a very high level both nationally and internationally, Vlada was Ukranian Junior Champion and also a member of the reserve Olympic squad for the Ukraine.

In 2002, Vlada's work with horses brought her to Ireland where, shortly afterwards, she began diving again with Dublin Diving Club. In 2009, Vlada won a gold medal in both the 1m and 3m springboard events at the XII LEN European Masters Diving Championships in Spain.

Vlada took over as head coach of Dublin Diving Club in December of last year and has done a fantastic job so far. We know she will do equally as great a job as national coach. The club fully support Vlada in her new role and wish Vlada and the Irish divers every success in the future. Congratulations Vlada!

3 new International FINA Judges in Dublin Diving Club

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:15:49 GMT

On the 28th-30th of January, David Linehan, Maeve O�Callaghan and Marie Ahern from Dublin Diving Club attended the FINA DIVING JUDGES CERTIFICATION COURSE at Southend-on-Sea, Great Britain.

This course was held in conjunction with the British Gas National Cup 2011 where Tom Daley and his synchro partner Peter Waterfield pulled off the most difficult dive in the world, their 4 1/2 somersault tucked.

Successfully completing the course requires exceeding an 85% pass mark in the written exam and 2 days of practical assessment of judging at the event, which also requires a pass mark of at least 85% in order to successfully complete the course.

David, Maeve and Marie are all level 2 qualified coaches in Dublin Diving Club as well as being competitive divers themselves and having 3 of its coaches achieving this level of qualification from FINA is something the club is very proud of.

Dublin Diving Club would also like to thank Swim Ireland for supporting the attendance at the FINA Judging School.

Fina Judging schools are held around the world each year. FINA Schools for Officials are intended to provide training and certification to judges and referees in all aquatic disciplines. In order to be included in a FINA Officials List, Officials must attend a FINA School in the respective discipline and pass the test given at the end of the FINA School.

For more information about FINA, go to www.fina.org

Swim Ireland Diving Courses (Winter 2010)

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:02:07 GMT

In conjunction with the 2010 Irish National Diving Championships, Swim Ireland will also run a Diving Recorders course and a Diving Judges course. The Recorders course does not require any prior knowledge but there is a pre-requisite for the Judging course that the participants have prior diving knowledge. 4 CPD points are available from both courses.

Recorders Course
Date: Friday, November 5th 2010
Time: 1 - 5 pm
Venue: National Aquatic Centre, Dublin
Cost: �30 (SI members) / �35 (Non-members)

Judging Course
Date: Friday, November 5th 2010
Time: 2 - 6 pm
Venue: Irish Institute of Sport, Dublin
Cost: �30 (SI members) / �35 (Non-members)

Anybody interested in the above courses should contact Trish Mayon at edo1@swimireland.ie or on 01 625 1138 to register their interest and secure a place on the course.

This December, Swim Ireland will also run a level 1 Coaching Diving Course

Level 1 Coaching Diving Course
Dates: 14th/15th/16th January 2011 (Dates for second weekend TBC)
Venue: National Aquatic Centre, Dublin
Cost: �400 (SI members) / �450 (Non-members)

Anybody interested in the coaching course should contact Sarah Campbell at eddelivery@swimireland.ie or on 01 625 1143 to register their interest and secure a place on the course.

More information on the above courses and many more can be found on the Swim Ireland website

Irish Open National Diving Championships 2010

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:21:09 GMT

The 2010 National Open Diving Championships will be held at the National Aquatic Centre on November 6th and 7th 2010

There will be 4 different events:

Irish Open Age Group Championships
Irish Open Senior Diving Championships
Novice Skills Competition (8-16yrs)
Novice Masters Competition (25yrs +)

Closing date for entries is 5pm Friday 15th October 2010 with Dive Sheets expected to be submitted before Tuesday 26th October.

Full details (including entry form) are available from the Swim Ireland website

David Linehan Wins 2 Medals at 2010 FINA World Masters Diving Championships

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:16:27 GMT

There were some amazing results for Dublin Diving Club at the FINA World Masters Championships in Goteborg, Sweden last week!

David Linehan took home two medals, a silver in the platform event and a bronze on 1 metre springboard. He just missed a medal on 3 metres by a few points as he misjudged and kicked out of his reverse 2 and a half somersaults a little too early. This is a dive he was pulling in very consistently in training, but this is the nature of diving and on the day anything can happen, despite the best preparation.

Sergiy Khimich also from Dublin Diving Club finished 6th on 3 metres and an agonizing 4th on 1 metre springboard in what was a very competitive group. Some spectacular diving was seen throughout the championships, not least of which was Sergiy's forward 3 and a half somersaults (a rare sight to see at a masters event).

Both David and Sergiy showcased their new dives on the world stage where their talent was there for all to see and both had diving lists with a high degree of difficulty.

The competition has certainly put Dublin Diving Club on the world map yet again! Just last year David won silver at the European Masters Championships in Seville and Vlada Shapoval won gold on both 1 metre and 3 metre springboards.

Dave would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support and of course a special thank you to Ricardo, his coach, for all his hard work in getting David and Sergiy ready for the competition. David himself is an active coach with the club and all his own divers have been following his World Masters journey on the daily blogs that were featured on the club website.

Results available here

XIII FINA World Masters Championships

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:11:25 GMT

On the 27th of July two of Dublin Diving Club's divers, David Linehan and Sergiy Khimich (pictured), will compete at the World Masters Springboard and Platform Championships in Gotenborg Sweden. This is the first time that Dublin Diving Club has been represented at this event.

Both divers have been training very hard for the past few months developing their diving lists to include dives with a high degree of difficulty. Sergiy will be performing his list of dives which includes 3 and a half somersaults from 3 metre springboard as well as his 2 and a half somersaults piked from 1 metre springboard.

David will be competing with his back and reverse two and a half somersaults from 3 metre springboard as well as his 2 and a half somersaults piked from 10 metre platform. Last year, David won silver at the European Masters Championships in Seville in Spain in the platform event. At this same event Vlada Shapoval, another club diver was the gold medal winner on both 1 metre and 3 metre springboards.

Both David and Vlada are two of the seven active coaches in the club and bring a high level of expertise to their lessons.

All of the divers in Dublin Diving Club wish David and Sergiy the very best of luck in the World Masters Championships and the club will be following their progress at the event and providing regular updates.

XIII FINA World Masters Championships site

A Special Thank You to Plymouth Diving

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:18:36 GMT

This weekend, 2 of Dublin Diving Club's divers, Vivienne Hew and Natasha McManus are participating for the first time in the British Gas UK Age Group National Championships in Diving in Southampton in the UK.

In preparation for this event these divers along with Francesca Hew attended a week long training camp with the Plymouth Diving Club and its team of coaches. Plymouth is well known for the high calibre of divers it has produced, the best known being Tom Daley who recently won gold at the World Championships 10 metre platform competition at the age of only 15. This additional training was not only very helpful to the development of the Dublin divers but was a very enjoyable week for all concerned. Ricardo Gutierrez, the Head Coach from Dublin Diving Club who is also the Irish National Diving Coach worked closely with the Plymouth coaches, collaborating on training methods and techniques.

Dublin Diving Club would like to sincerely thank the coaches and parents of Plymouth Diving who facilitated this training week for the Dublin Club. The club looks forward to developing its links with Plymouth further in the coming months and years.

Plymouth Diving

Dublin Diving Club Novice Championships 2010

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:23:00 GMT

The inaugural Dublin Diving Club Novice Championships 2010 took place at the National Aquatic Centre on Sunday, June 6th.

The event was a resounding success with almost 40 divers taking part in their first diving competition.

The day started off with our youngest competitors demonstrating the skills they have been practicing for the last few months on poolside and springboard and they showed impressive composure. Parents, guardians and coaches beamed with pride.

Nerves were evident but were overcome with the support of all the other divers. The next event was the 12 -16 age group which was an all boy event. Nerves, determination and skill were all demonstrated in what turned into a fabulous event featuring somersaults from these brave boys.

The final event was the masters. Adults new to this difficult sport demonstrated the skills they had learnt in the last 12 months. These masters are wonderful ambassadors for our sport.

The delight on everyone's face was fantastic at the presentation ceremony. All participants received a commemorative medal and a club tee-shirt.

The participants were all club members that have taken up diving over the last 12 months. This included divers from 6 years old in the junior section to adults of all ages in the masters section. The purpose of the meet was to give these new divers an introduction to competition and to give valuable judging/officiating experience to our recently qualified officials.

A big thank you is due to Dave Malone, Head of Paralympic Swimming in the Paralympic Council, who took time out of his busy schedule to present medals to all of the participants on the day. Dave is one of Ireland's most successful Paralympic athletes, representing Ireland at 4 Paralympic Games. Dave won Gold at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and Silver at the Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

A big thank you to the many Dublin Diving Club volunteers who were responsible for running the event who ensured the huge success of the event. Included were, our coaches, judges, announcer, recorders and technical people for the electronic scoring system and of course the organising committee who were responsible for the planning and co-ordination of the event.

Greg Louganis Interview with Off The Ball

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:22:01 GMT

Diving legend, Greg Louganis has recently returned to the world of diving as a mentor to Team USA in the lead up to London 2012.

Greg is regarded as one of the greatest divers of all time, if not the greatest. He was the first male and only the second diver in the history of the sport to win gold in both the 3M Springboard and 10M Platform events at consecutive Olympic games (1984 and 1988). Greg has also won 6 World Championships, 6 Pan American Games gold medals as well as an unprecedented 47 national titles to name a few.

On Tuesday 1st June 2010 Greg spoke with the Off The Ball team on Newstalk 106-108fm. To listen to the interview go to:

http://media.newstalk.ie/podcasts/

Archive > Off The Ball > Tuesday 1st June 2010 > Part 2 (The interview starts at about 28:00). Make sure to listen out for a mention of Dublin Diving Club and a text from Ricardo at the end.

Check out this footage of Greg from 16 Days of Glory, a film about the 1984 Olympics:

Dublin Diving Club Coaches to attend FINA Diving Judges School at World Diving Series

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:22:58 GMT

Four coaches from Dublin Diving Club were recently selected by Swim Ireland to attend the FINA Diving Judges School, which is being staged in Sheffield on the 22nd - 24th April 2010. FINA is the World Governing Body for the aquatic disciplines which includes diving.

The school will be held alongside the FINA Diving World Series 2010 at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield. Part of the assessment of this course will include practical judging at this world class event.

Ricardo Gutierrez, who is the Swim Ireland National Diving Coach, David Linehan, Maeve O'Callaghan and Marie Ahern, who are all active coaches in Dublin Diving Club, will be attending this prestigious course.

Upon successfully completing and passing the school tests, judges will receive a FINA Diving Judge certification. Judges who are certified by FINA may judge FINA Grand Prix Events and Junior World Championship Events. From these events, FINA will make further assessments to select judges for the major world events.

Dublin Diving Club is passionate about providing the highest levels of coaching to its members and participants. This additional qualification will greatly enhance the credentials of these Dublin Diving Club coaches as diving is a sport which is judged and a comprehensive knowledge of judging at the highest levels will assist the coaches in the development of their divers.

Dublin Diving Club, trains not only competitive divers but has a thriving Learn to Dive programme for both children and adults. Once you are confident swimming in deep water and are over 6 years old you are welcome to join the lessons and diving club.

If you would like to find out more about learning to dive or joining Dublin Diving club please see our website at www.dublindivingclub.ie or you can speak with the Club Chairperson Aisling Murray Daly on 087 6438132.

Dublin Divers meet World 10 metre Platform Champion, Tom Daley

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:54:45 GMT

Irish Divers from the Dublin Diving Club recently competed at the prestigious Armada cup in Plymouth, UK, alongside Tom Daley pictured above. Tom represented Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where at 14 years old he was Britain's youngest competitor. Plymouth Club is home to Tom who at the age of 15 years old gained the title of World 10 metre platform diving champion.

Despite not bringing any medals home on this occasion, this competition was an invaluable experience for the Dublin Diving Club divers in the development of their diving careers. Ricardo Gutierrez is Head Diving Coach at the Dublin Diving Club and incidentally, Ricardo's brother Fito Gutierrez coaches the diving team at Tom Daley's club.

Dublin Diving Club, trains not only competitive divers but has a thriving Learn To Dive programme for both children and adults. Once you are confident swimming in deep water and are over 6 years old you are welcome to join the lessons and diving club.

Quality coaching in a positive learning environment is a key priority for Dublin Diving Club and under the guidance of Ricardo, who is also the Swim Ireland National Coach for diving four of its team of coaches successfully completed their Swim Ireland/UKCC accredited level 2 Coaching qualification. This is the highest qualification currently available in diving at present.

The coaches are all competitive divers and include David Linehan, silver medallist in the 2009 European Masters Championships, Maeve O'Callaghan, current 1 metre, 3 metre and platform national ladies champion, Marie Ahern and Jennifer Barry. Two other divers on the Dublin Diving Club coaching team Vlada Shapoval, European masters gold medallist in 1metre and 3 metre events and Andrew Gaw are also in the process of completing their final level 2 coaching assessments.

If you would like to find out more about learning to dive or joining Dublin Diving club please go to www.dublindivingclub.ie or you can speak with the Club Chairperson Aisling Murray Daly on 087 6438132.

Armada Cup 2010

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:23:41 GMT

This weekend, from the 18th to the 21st February, 3 Irish divers from Dublin Diving Club will be competing at the prestigious Armada Cup in Plymouth, UK. The Armada Cup is a top class diving event and attracts talented competitors from all over the UK. This year it will be one of the competitions considered when assessing potential divers for the Junior Europeans later this year.

Michelle Melia, Vivienne Hew and Natasha McManus, all coached by Ricardo Gutierrez, Dublin Diving Club's Head Coach and Swim Ireland's National Diving Coach will be making history by being the first team from Ireland to compete at this event.

Plymouth Diving is the home of Tom Daley 2009 Men's Platform World Champion and Tom will be in action over the weekend. Tom at the age of 14 was one of the youngest Olympians from the UK and is also is the current world 10 metre platform champion.

All the members of Dublin Diving Club (www.dublindivingclub.ie) wish their team mates the very best this weekend in Plymouth. You can follow the girls' progress on www.diverecorder.co.uk where scores and results are updated in real time.

Early start provides springboard to success (Irish Times article)

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:21:23 GMT

Johnny Watterson hears how the gold-medal winning diver's love of horses brought her to Ireland

I have been diving since I was 10-years-old back in the Ukraine. Before that I did gymnastics for about five years. I started the gymnastics when I was about four or five. In the Ukraine we believe in bringing children to the sport when they are very young. I don't know if this is right but at that age children are able to pick up things very quickly. As a junior diver I won some international competitions, some friendly competitions against other countries. I was part of the Ukraine Olympics squad but in the reserve squad, not the squad that travelled to the Olympics.

We had a very good squad in the complex at Zaboriho. It was a very good diving school. Everyone in the world knows the Ukraine is good at diving, so I was lucky. I thought you can't be a reserve all of your life and after that it became a hobby. But it was also part of my life and it still is now.

Along with horses those are the two things I love. It was horses that changed my life and made me move to Ireland. When I was diving I also rode horses in the Ukraine and around the time I stopped diving I was working with horses and interested in them. I wanted more, more, more. I loved it but it was very hard to find a job working with them so I went to a company who were sending people to Ireland for one year only.

I was 24-years-old at the time. As I was still young it was not that difficult to move away from home. I was more brave then. If I had been older then maybe it would have been different. I don't see myself in the Ukraine anymore.

I arrived in Ireland in February 2002 to come and work for the race-horse trainer, John Oxx. Although I had ridden horses I had no experience of race horses. I wanted experience and that was the main reason I came here. I'm still working in the stables and I am really proud of that. We break in yearlings. We also ride the horses and do training exercise with them. I live in Kildare town, just a couple of miles from where I work. I have only good things to say about working with John Oxx.

But diving is part of my life and I cannot keep it away and I think with my experience in diving in the Ukraine I can give help to Dublin clubs. The club in Dublin (Aquatic Centre) is just five years old and is called Dublin Diving Club and I think the standard in the Masters group has improved.

When I arrived in Dublin the Aquatic Centre had just opened and after my baby was born I took up diving again. I can't live without diving but I have to be a mum as well. The recent competition was the 12th European Masters event and I was able to win gold medals in the one-metre and the three-metre springboard.

I am 31-years-old and the Masters age group starts at 25. My diving age group is in the 30-34-year-old group. This time, though, I was closer to the scores I wanted. I trained as much as I could and I was very happy with the result. I did my dives as well as I could have. I went over this time to Spain a little bit angry. Angry with myself. I had to get a result and I did. Now I can say I feel good about that.

Vladyslava Shapoval came to Ireland seven years ago from the Ukraine and quickly established herself as one of our best divers. She recently returned from the European Masters in Spain with two gold medals. From an early age she attended a school that catered for elite athletes. On leaving school Vladyslava joined the circus where she worked with horses. She is now working in the John Oxx stables in Kildare.

Original article: www.irishtimes.com
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Ricardo Gutierrez named as National Diving Coach

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:52:18 GMT

Ricardo Gutierrez has been appointed National Coach for Diving for Ireland.

A former Mexican international diver, Ricardo has been in Ireland since 2003 and is currently the Head Coach of the Dublin Diving Club.

He has a passion for the sport and brings over 25 years of diving experience to the post, with a career which includes working as Assistant Olympic Diving Coach for the Mexican Olympic Committee and teaching and coaching swimming and diving in UK. As a Professional High Diver and Cliff Diver, he has competed and taken part in shows around the world.

Since coming to Ireland Ricardo has developed diving at the National Aquatic Centre. He has coached divers to medal success in numerous events including European Masters Championships and has also shown that diving can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities.

As National Coach, Ricardo is committed to raising the profile of Irish diving and aims to develop a programme to maximize the potential of Irish divers, enabling them to achieve international success.

Dublin Diving Club makes it to Hollywood

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:19:59 GMT

High divers from Dublin Diving Club will shortly feature in the new Eva Green movie 'Cracks'. Eva is better known for her role in the James Bond movie, Casino Royale. The film also stars Atonement's Juno Temple and 28 Weeks Later star Imogen Poots.

Set in a boarding school in 1930s England, the film tells the story of a girl's unhealthy bond with her teacher and diving coach which is threatened by the arrival of a new student. The film is an Irish-UK co-production, with the Irish company Element Pictures, among the companies involved. It is directed by Jordan Scott, daughter of Ridley and is due to go on release in early December.

The divers from Dublin Diving Club performed the diving scenes as body doubles and Ricardo Gutierrez, the club's head coach from Mexico, who himself was a professional high diver assisted with the co-ordination of the diving scenes.

Cracks (2009) Trailer

Cracks IMDB page

Dublin Diving Club medal success (Community Voice article)

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:38:01 GMT

Dublin Diving Club was recently represented at the European Masters Springboard and Platform diving competition in Cadiz, Spain and its members managed to bring home three medals - two gold and one silver. This is the first time the club has been represented at this event and it represents a very significant achievement.

The European Masters Championship is a high level competition and competitors in Masters Diving competitions often are divers who have already competed at an elite level including the Olympics. This year's competition held at Seville and Cadiz in the South of Spain attracted over 4,000 entries from 34 countries. Masters candidates compete in different age group categories.

The Dublin Diving Club medalists in Spain, David Linehan - who lives locally on the Navan Road - and Vlada Shapoval, are both coached under the tutelage of Ricardo Gutierrez the Mexican head coach at the club.

The club currently has over 65 members, and six of its coaches are in the final stages of completing their Swim Ireland level 2 diving coaching qualification. This group includes David and Vlada, the competitors in Spain.

Vlada Shapoval, a native of Ukraine, won two gold medals on 1 metre and 3 metre springboard at the European Masters event. Vlada trained as a high diver from an early age. She showed particular promise and attended a school that catered specifically for the elite athlete. On leaving school she used her talents in a different arena when she joined the circus where she worked with horses. Her career with horses took off and she has worked with several high profile horse trainers as a work rider and jockey. It was this industry that brought Vlada to Ireland over six years ago.

Vlada, who was born in 1978, competed in the 30+ category. She staved off steep competition in particular from the British diver Beth Ackroyd who had previously beaten her at the National Championships held here in Dublin last year.

David Linehan won the silver medal in the Platform Diving competition. It was David's first time to compete at an international diving competition so it was a remarkable achievement to bring home a medal. David performed six dives in total to take the silver, and these included a front two and half somersault from the five metre platform, and the very impressive front somersault pike from armstand position off the ten metre platform.

Despite only having been diving for a relatively short period David has already achieved remarkable. His background in gymnastics and tumbling have undoubtedly contributed to his rapid progress, and the competitiveness required in those sports has enhanced his ability to hold his nerve and perform well under pressure even at this level of competition. As a gymnast and sports acrobat, David was national champion and represented Ireland in these disciplines.

Dublin Diving Club has achieved phenomenal success over the past couple of years and has been responsible for developing and reviving the sport of springboard and platform diving in Ireland. The club is currently recruiting new members and full details of upcoming courses can be found at the club website (www.dublindivingclub.ie)

Further information is also available from the club Chairperson Aisling Murray Daly (tel. 087 2669544).

Dublin Diving Club Table Quiz

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:32:31 GMT

Dublin Diving Club will host a table quiz in the Roselawn Inn on Friday 30^th October 2009. There will be 4 people per table and it will cost �10 per person. Fancy dress is optional and all are welcome!

Full details can be found below or on the poster provided. We hope to see you there!

Venue: Roselawn Inn, Blanchardtown
Date: 30^th October 2009
Time: 8:00pm
Cost: �10 per person

Directions to the Roselawn Inn
Full-size poster

Dublin Diving Club AGM 2009

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:04:48 GMT

The Dublin Diving Club Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Thursday October 29th @ 20.30hrs. The venue will be confirmed in the near future.

The Club Constitution can be found below, detailed in which are the procedures for the AGM and matters around the AGM such as nominations for committee, changes to constitution etc.

Your attendance is essential as a quorum of 50% of members eligible to vote is required in order for the meeting to go ahead.

Club Constitution

Press Release: David Linehan takes silver medal at the European Masters Championships

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:40:15 GMT

David Linehan has taken the Silver medal at the European Masters Platform Diving competition. It was David's first time to compete at an International Diving Competition so it is a remarkable achievement to bring home a medal. David performed 6 dives in total to take the silver, and these included a front two and half somersault from the 5 metre platform, and the very impressive front somersault pike from armstand position off the 10 metre platform.

Despite only Diving for a relatively short period David has achieved incredible success. David's background in Gymnastics and Tumbling have undoubtedly contributed to his rapid progress, and his ability to hold his nerve and perform so well under the pressures at this level of competition. As a Gymnast and Sports Acrobat David was National Champion and represented Ireland in these disciplines.

David dives with the Dublin Diving Club where he is coached by Head Coach Ricardo Gutierrez. Ricardo, a former Mexican Cliff Diver and former Assistant Olympic Coach, is committed to developing a club that will cater for both the elite sports-person and the absolute beginner. The club currently has over 65 members, has 4 qualified Level 1 Assistant coaches, including David Linehan amongst them. David is currently studying for his Level 2 coaching qualification.

The Dublin Diving Club has achieved phenomenal success over the past couple of years and has been responsible for developing and reviving the sport of springboard and platform diving in Ireland. The Dublin Diving Club is currently recruiting new members and full details of upcoming courses can be found at the club website.

http://www.dublindivingclub.ie/news/

Press Release: 18 September 2009
Further details and pics please call Linda Keating 087 8305835

Diving Courses available at National Championships

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:24:24 GMT

This year, there will be both Judging and a Recording course run in conjunction with the National Diving Championships on November 13th.

The Recorders course does not require any prior knowledge. There is a pre-requisite for the Judging course that the participants have prior diving knowledge. Both courses will be run over a 4 hour period.

Costs for these courses will be nominal and both costs and specific times for these courses will be confirmed shortly.

If you are interested in attending either of these courses, and to secure a place on your preferred course, please send an email to Trish Mayon at EDO1@swimireland.ie to confirm.

Please note that as both courses will be run on the same day, it will not be possible to attend both.

For more information see http://www.swimireland.ie/

Press Release: Vladyslava Shapoval is European 3m Springboard Champion

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:14:36 GMT

Vladyslava Shapoval a Ukranian / Irish Diver of the Dublin Diving Club has won Gold at the European Championship staving off steep competition from 34 other countries. Vladyslava is a member of the Dublin Diving Club and trains under the club's head coach Ricardo Gutierrez. Ricardo hails from Mexico. He is a former professional High Diver, and former Assistant Olympic Coach, and now runs Ireland's biggest Springboard and Platform Diving Club.

The European Masters Championship is a high level competition. Competitors in Masters Diving competitions are often divers that have competed at an elite level including the Olympics. This year's competition held at Seville and Cadiz in the South of Spain has attracted over 4049 entries from over 34 countries. Masters compete in age group categories.Vladyslava born in 1978 competed in the 30+ category. Vladyslava staved off steep competition and in particular from the Great Britain Diver Beth Ackroyd who had previously beaten Vladylsava at the National Championships held here in Dublin last year.

Vladyslava trained as a high diver from an early age. She showed particular promise and attended a school that catered specifically for the elite athlete. On leaving school Vladylsava joined the circus where she worked with horses. Her career with horses took off and she has worked with several high profile horse trainers as a Work Rider and Jockey. It was this industry that brought Vladyslava to Ireland over six years ago.

All hopes are pinned on Vladyslava for tomorrow's one meter springboard competition.

Press Release: 16 September 2009
More Details: Linda Keating 087 8305835

National Open Diving Championships 2009

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:18:01 GMT

The 2009 National Open Diving Championships will be held at the National Aquatic Centre on November 14th and 15th 2009.

There will be 4 different events;

Irish Open Age Group Championships
Irish Open Senior Diving Championships
Novice Competition (8-16yrs)
Novice Masters Competition (25yrs +)

Full details (including entry form) are available below

National Diving Championships 2009

Local club divers heading for Europe (Community Voice article)

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:57:56 GMT

Later this month, Dublin Diving Club - which is based in Dublin 15 at the NAC - will be represented at the European Masters Diving Championships in Seville, Spain by two of its divers, David Linehan and Vlada Shapoval. This will be the first occasion on which the Dublin Diving Club will have competitors at a European Championships and since the club's beginnings just five years ago, it has gone from strength to strength annually with this milestone representing the most significant progress to date from a competition perspective.

Both divers are coached by Ricardo Gutierrez, a native of Mexico who is Head Coach at Dublin Diving Club. Ricardo is a highly regarded coach who previously was assistant coach to the Mexican Olympic team and also Irish National Coach. He expressed great satisfaction at the recognition of the two divers and said he was very happy that David and Vlada's hard work and commitment is paying off. He was also especially proud that two people will be representing both Ireland and the Dublin Diving Club at these prestigious championships, and predicts a bright and exciting future for Irish diving generally.

David Linehan, one of the divers heading for the European Championship, lives locally on the Navan Road and was originally a gymnast who specialised in tumbling. Although David did not have previous diving experience before he joined the club, his gymnastics background was brought to bear very well in diving and he made exceptionally rapid progress. His gymnastics skills proved quite transferable and helped him master the more difficult dives that required more speed and rotation. David will be competing in 1 metre and 3 metre springboard and platform competitions in Seville.

Vlada Shapoval was previously Ukranian junior champion and returned to diving as a master with the club when she moved to Ireland from Ukraine. Vlada also specialises on 1 metre and 3 metre springboard. To add to their ability as competitors, both David and Vlada are passing on their knowledge as they are also diving coaches, currently in the process of completing their level 2 diving coach qualification with Swim Ireland. Dublin Diving Club has a total of six diving coaches who assist Ricardo with all levels of classes.

Few sports develop co-ordination, confidence and physical fitness better than diving. It is also a sport that has a level to suit everyone. Dublin Diving Club caters for all levels, from beginner children to competitive seniors and masters, or divers who just wish to dive regularly for fun. Whatever your reason for wanting to learn to dive, Dublin Diving Club has a class for you.

The Dublin Diving Club is a not for profit organisation and regularly holds fundraising activities. On Friday September 25th the club will be holding its first Golf Classic at The Grange Golf Club and welcomes any support for that event.

The organisation operates out of the National Aquatic Centre and for any further information on learning to dive at the Dublin Diving Club, or to support the Golf Classic please contact Aisling Murray Daly (Club Chairperson) on 087 2669544.

The Dublin Diving Club committee and its many members wish David and Vlada the very best of luck at these championships and this should be the first of many competitions abroad for the club.

New Training Timetable

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:56:55 GMT

Due to the pool at the National Aquatic Centre being used as a High Performance centre for swimming in Ireland they have changed their pool configuration timetable (50m format is needed for training). Because of this, we have had to revise our training timetable which can be found below or else here in our 'Training' section.

Anybody unsure of their training time should contact David Linehan

Day	Time	Squad
Sunday	10:00 - 12:00	Juvenile Competitive Members
	10:00 - 11:00	Masters
Monday	17:30 - 19:00	Juvenile Competitive Members
Tuesday	17:30 - 18:15	Juvenile Competitive Members (Land Training)
	18:15 - 20:00	Juvenile Competitive Members
	20:00 - 21:00	Masters
Thursday	17:30 - 19:00	Juvenile Competitive Members
	19:00 - 20:00	Masters
Friday	17:30 - 18:15	Juvenile Competitive Members (Land Training)
	18:15 - 19:45	Juvenile Competitive Members

National Diving Committee Meeting August 26th - 6pm

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:30:00 GMT

As you may be aware, Irish diving is currently undergoing a big development process that will bring the sport in line with international standards within the next few years. Consequently, we (Irish National Diving Committee) are working on a National Development Plan as part of this process.

We wish to invite all interested parties to a Consultation Evening on Wednesday, August 26th at 6pm in Sports H.Q, Park West (directions will be provided upon request). If you are interested in attending please let David Linehan, the Dublin Diving Club secretary know so that he can give Swim Ireland an idea of numbers.
His email is davidjlinehan@hotmail.com

Your attendance and input will be greatly appreciated.

Sunday Training Now Available

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:30:00 GMT

The Dublin Diving Club now has a training time on Sunday mornings from 10 am to 12 midday at the National Aquatic Centre.

The session is open to all members of the club but arrangements will need to be made in advance with Aisling or Dave. All you need to do is call Aisling / Dave and let them know you wish to attend.

Pricing structures vary depending on your current commitments to the club.

Hope to see you all at the National Aquatic Centre.

Dublin Diving Club Golf Classic Fundraiser

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Dublin Diving Club, a springboard and platform diving club based at the National Aquatic Centre, is holding a fund-raising Golf Classic at Grange Golf Club on Fri 25 September 2009.

Funds raised will be used to develop the newest sport in Ireland and perhaps the most spectacular sport in the world to watch.

The Dublin Diving Club was set up 5 years ago, has a fully structured committee and close links with Swim Ireland and the Amateur Swimming Association. The club has come a long way in this time under the guidance of our international head coach, Ricardo Gutierrez, hosting interprovincial championships, national championships and international competitions with great success.

We cater for all ages and diving abilities from the age of 6 to 80.

Grange Golf Club in Rathfarnham, Paul McGinley's club, was voted recently the leading parkland course in Dublin. It is situated in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, only five miles from the city centre with easy access from Exit 13 of the M50.

On 25 September we are inviting fourball teams to participate at a cost of �400 each including a reception and dinner with prize-giving about 7.30 that evening at the Grange Clubhouse. The competition format will be Stableford and will include longest drive and nearest the pin competitions.

Tee-times are available all day.

If you would like to play please call or email one of the committee below to indicate your tee-time preference.

We are also inviting sponsorship of Tee boxes (�100), greens (�50) and prizes.

Many thanks for your support and best of luck.

Contact Dublin Diving Club Golf Classic Committee:
David Linehan, davidjlinehan@hotmail.com, 086 158 8579.
Jerry O'Callaghan, anynewsinc@ireland.com, 087 239 6746

Se�n Smithers Brings Home A Medal

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Se�n Smithers has done us pround. He recently competed at the GBDF Summer Masters Championships in Manchester and brought home the silver medal in the Mens 16 to 24 category on the 3 meter springboard.

We expect great things from Se�n in the future, who despite only diving for a relatively short time has achieved such a high standard.

Se�n also competed in the 1 meter springboard competition and the 5 meter platform where he was just pipped to the post for a medal and took 4th place.

Novice Mens 16 - 29 3M

Name - Club - Points - Place
Matthew Hirst - Amersham S.C. - 95.55 - 1
Se�n Smithers - Dublin D.C. - 85.80 - 2
Phillip Preston - Amersham S.C. - 83.20 - 3