The London Aquatics Centre is set to inspire England’s next generation of swimmers and divers, after being revealed as the home of a brand new Diving High Performance Centre (HPC) for British Swimming.
“We are really pleased to have an HPC at the pool that was used for the Olympic Games and are excited about when the doors open in the spring,” said Alexei Evangulov, British Diving’s National Performance Director.
“A facility like this will help shape the next generation of athletes and allow them to see what an elite competition venue is like on a day-to-day basis.”
Diving World Series
In addition, the centre is scheduled to host the FINA/NVC Diving World Series, taking place from the 25th to 27th of April.
Launched with social enterprise GLL and UK Sport, with a total investment of GBP 100,000, the event is part of the Gold Event Series, a movement backed by the National Lottery which aims to host 70 first-class sporting events within the UK by 2019.
British Swimming will work with venue operators to bring internationally renowned divers to the capital and further increase the sport’s popularity after the London 2012 Olympics.
“The pool holds great memories for not only the British public but also our divers and all athletes that use this centre,” Evangulov notes.
“[Everyone] will have a small taste of the Olympics every time they walk through the door.”
Cognitive development
With regards to future swimmers, the benefits of water sports and diving and vast and broad, including improving overall fitness, cognitive skills, and an increased understanding of safety in the water.
Futhermore, not only is swimming a low impact sport – meaning that a person’s joints are not put under impact stress – it also provides a full body workout, as almost all of the major muscle groups are utilised in the water.
“Physical health benefits aside, swimming helps reduce stress in children and adults alike. Studies show when a person swims regularly, they experience less tension, depression and anger after time spent in the pool,” notes Luciana Rolesu, Swim Coach at Swim London.
Swimming also allows a person’s body to move in ways it cannot on land – making it a great activity for those with disabilities or who need to minimise pressure on their joints.
“All this is why it’s important England keeps making these advancements in the sport,” Rolesu continued, “so that children across the UK can access the sport and, in the process, contribute to a fitter and happier lifestyle.”