Local athletes dove into a great start to diving season at the BC Diving Winter Provincials, which were recently held at Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in South Surrey.
Hosted by home club White Rock Divers, the provincial contest drew divers of all ages from all over the province in the competition, one of many qualifying events leading up to the Canada age group championships this July.
White Rock Divers enjoyed some great results at the tournament, which featured participating divers from seven clubs across the province, club founder and three-time Olympian Bev Boys shared.
In total, 18 divers from the South Surrey-based club competed, ranging in age from five to 71 years old, with seven divers qualifying for 10 different events at the Canadian age group championships this July.
"I'm very proud of our divers. It's amazing, the growth and the change ... it's a good start to the year," she said, noting White Rock Divers has an amazing coaching staff, including Olympian and national team member Igor Kopecky, who is head coach, as well as coach Cata Obyrne, a former Colombian Junior National Team member; coach Gregory Cox, a former provincial champion and Team BC coach; and coaches Christine Frohloff, a former gymnastics coach, and Teri York, an Olympian and former Canadian national champion.
Boys, with 34 national championship titles, four Commonwealth Games gold medals, and Olympic experience in diving as well as judging, said she often helps with coaching, but gave kudos to the coaching and development staff, saying she is "a second set of eyes."
While some divers didn't qualify for the July championships, Boys noted there is still plenty of time.
"(Divers) can qualify right till the end of June," she said. "There are three more competitions where many more divers should qualify for the Junior Canadian Diving Championships in July."
Boys, who is on her way to Victoria with some athletes from White Rock Divers for the Mark LePool Sting Invitational for another weekend meet Feb. 28-March 2, said BC Diving will hold the summer provincials and the Canada Games Trials, a precursor to the Canada Games, which are being held in St. John's, Nfld. in August.
All coaches were pleased with their divers' results at BC Winter Provincials, Boys said.
In addition to qualifying for age group nationals in July, White Rock Divers' own Amelia Semple and Mattias Frohloff, both 16, were named Outstanding Female and Outstanding Male Diver at the winter provincial competition.
Divers who made the national standard, and qualified for age group nationals in July, include:
• Matthias Frohloff
• Amelia Semple
• Hanna Clancy
• Simran Rakhra
• Vast Haji
• Charlie Brooks
• Clara Isaac
Boys added that White Rock Divers has classes for everyone, aged three and all the way up to seniors.
"White Rock Divers would like to invite any one wanting to learn to dive, or how to use all diving boards. Come and join a fun dive class — there are many levels available."
The Bev Boys Invitational is another popular upcoming meet, named after Boys, which will be held May 2-3 at Grandview Aquatic Centre.
