National Qualification Competitions

The past month has now seen both our Age Group and Skills divers compete in their first of 2 national qualification competitions both in East Region’s Southend pool.

This weekend saw Naya and Fin look to build on scores achieved at February’s Armada cup in Plymouth and close the gap on any outstanding qualifying scores before June’s Swim England National Age Groups at the Commonwealth Pool in Birmingham. Injury for Fin has meant significantly reduced training recently but, despite this, his scores have improved and dives were consistent and, with today’s platform bronze medal, he can now look forward to rebuilding his strength and lists again.

Naya too improved on her previous performances qualifying on both springboards with a new PB on 3m. Both will be competing again at the Southeast Regional Age Group Qualifier in Southampton over the first May Bank Holiday weekend.

The end of March also saw the Skills divers in action as they looked to reach their qualification scores for this year’s Swim England National Skills competition in July. In a well subscribed event Thomas, Ellie and Ariana all reached their points with Thomas also bringing home a gold medal for his event and both Ellie and Ariana narrowly missing out on bronze in theirs (Ariana by only 0.6 of a point).

Millan, Laurie, Poppy and Alice competed well and will take away valuable coaching points to use over the coming weeks before their second and final qualifier at the Southeast Region Skills Qualifier in Tunbridge Wells on 18 May when they will be joined by teammates Makar, Sam, and Polina.

With our thanks to Swim England East Region for running these events and Southend Diving for hosting. We congratulate all our competing divers and coaches and wish them all good luck in next month’s events