Diving pool back in business

The re-opening of West Wave’s competition dive pool on the weekend, barely caused a ripple – but that was only due to the skill of champion New Zealand diver, Kaitlyn White, who had the honour of the first dive.

Showing the talent that is likely to get her selection for next year’s Olympic Games in Athens, 15-year-old Kaitlyn executed an impressive dive off the 5m platform, cutting through the water like a knife.

Kaitlyn is thrilled to be back training at the West Wave dive pool, which has been closed for maintenance since April. Built in 1988, the year she was born, the diving facility has allowed her to hone her skills to the point that she now ranked 17th in the world.

A world champion junior diver, Kaitlyn trains six days a week at the West Wave complex. When she’s not diving off the tower or springboards, she can be seen working out in the fitness centre or swimming in the main pool, which re-opened in early October.

“It’s a world-class complex and the staff are very supportive, not only of my training needs, but of New Zealand diving in general,” she says.

Kaitlyn current goal is a top 20 placing at the World Cup Diving Championships in Athens next February, which would likely gain her qualification for the Olympic Games.

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