Divers from Southampton Diving Academy took Europe by storm when they competed in the 17th Czech Open Diving Championships in Pardubice on 27 February to 3 March.

The 11-strong team came back with 31 medals between them - 15 gold, nine silver and seven bronze, every diver in the group having contributed to the medal haul.

Competing against teams from five European nations, the divers contested 19 of the 26 possible events, taking the top three positions in all of the Boys Group C individual competitions.

Most successful diver of the meet was Jack Clewlow (16), who came back with four gold medals and a personal best performance on 3m springboard, where he took the title over 50 points ahead of his nearest rival. He also performed the highest scoring dive of the meet with his back 2 ½ somersaults, 1 ½ twists in the pike position. 

“This was a good start to the year for me,” he said.  “I’d never dived in the Czech Republic before, so it was a new experience and a new challenge.”

Max Brick (14) also took gold in all his events, with a particularly brilliant showing on tower.  The execution of his required dives was outstanding, with scores of 9 and above across the board, including a 10 for his back 1 ½ somersaults with ½ twist in the free position.  Moving on to his optional dives he continued his excellent performance, making scores of 8 ½ and 9 on his hardest dive, a back 2 ½ somersaults 1 ½ twists in the pike position.

Taking gold in both his springboard events, Sam Knapp (12) looked worthy of his selection to represent Great Britain in Aachen, Germany later this month.  Despite suffering a painful wipe-out with his reverse 2 ½ somersaults in the tuck position off the 3m board during training, he overcame the setback and went on to perform the dive with good scores in the competition. 

Sam was pipped to the post on highboard by team mate, Ryan Strudwick (12), who put in a great performance to take his first gold in an international competition.  Using a new dive, reverse 2 ½ somersaults in the tuck position, off the 7.5m board to good effect; he was unstoppable and came away with a well deserved title.

Also taking the opportunity to raise her game Georgie Wingrove (11) made two personal best scores, taking golds on both 3m springboard and platform.  Although the competition was tough in the springboard events Georgie showed clear dominance on highboard, taking her title 65 points ahead of the silver medalist.  She also took the silver medal on the 1m springboard.

Attending the meet in the dual role of coach and diver, Tom Owens (21) took a gold medal on the 1m board ahead of Austrian diver, Constantin Blaha, who was preparing to compete at the World Championships in Melbourne later this month.

Emily Alderman’s (15) international experience was very evident in her competition on tower, where she stood out from the crowd and dominated the event.  Diving consistently throughout she included two new dives recently learnt under the coaching of Charly Tomkys, despite difficulties with lack of bubble facilities at her home pool.  With partner, Fran Godfroy (16) she also took gold in the 3m synchronized event.  On their first competitive outing the girls looked very good together, their matching height and build helping in ensuring good synchronicity.

Also achieving a gold in the 3m synchro event, Jack Clewlow and Chris Mears (13) made a promising start to a new partnership, showing particularly good timing, with closely matching styles.

Commenting on the meet, coach, Tom Owens said:

“This was a great opportunity to get some wider experience.  We were able to demonstrate that Southampton Diving Academy is a force to be reckoned with internationally as well as in the UK. 

"The team showed that they could step up a gear and hold their own on the international stage, resulting in some excellent personal best performances.”

Full results were as follows:
1m
Georgie Wingrove, silver; Ryan Strudwick, silver; Sam Knapp, gold; Stephen Lingard, bronze; Max Brick, gold; Chris Mears, silver; Jack Clewlow, gold; Stephen Appleby, 4th; Rob Appleby, bronze; Tom Owens, gold
3m
Emily Alderman, bronze; Fran Godfroy, 4th; Georgie Wingrove, gold; Ryan Strudwick, bonze; Sam Knapp, gold; Stephen Lingard, silver; Max Brick, gold; Chris Mears, silver; Jack Clewlow, gold; Stephen Appleby, bronze; Rob Appleby, silver
Platform
Emily Alderman, gold; Fran Godfroy, silver; Georgie Wingrove, gold; Ryan Strudwick, gold; Sam Knapp, silver; Stephen Lingard, bronze; Max Brick, gold; Chris Mears, silver; Jack Clewlow, gold
3m Synchro
Ryan Strudwick & Sam Knapp, bronze; Chris Mears & Jack Clewlow, gold; Emily Alderman & Fran Godfroy, gold

-ENDS-

For further details call Annie Clewlow, Chair of SDA on 07910 300232.