First published on 11 November 2024 on Newsline

New Zealand divers will soon be on a level playing field with their international counterparts, as the assembly of the state-of-the-art dive pool and tower is now underway at Christchurch’s Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.

Having coached at multiple Olympic Games with Great Britain, Diving New Zealand's Performance Director, Steve Gladding, has dedicated himself to advancing the sport in New Zealand since moving here in 2015. He expects divers trained at Parakiore to be at the Olympics in eight years. 

“We've got a programme called DNA 2032, where we're looking to make a real impact at the Brisbane Olympics, and Christchurch will play a major part in that. We do well with what we've got, and as New Zealand does, we punch way above our weight. But this facility is comparable to the rest of the world. 

“The harnesses over the platforms are next level and are such a cool piece of kit. They’re relatively new to diving training and enable athletes to perform somersaults while being supported in the air, making it easier to master techniques and reduce the fear and sting associated with high dives.” 

Mr Gladding says that having a purpose-built dry diving space, where harnessed athletes land in a foam pit, is also a game-changer.

“Dry diving spaces are very common overseas, but here they’re having to be retrofitted into facilities, so to have one purpose-built is just phenomenal. This equipment helps athletes learn dives without the fear of falling, which is essential for building confidence.” 

In addition to dry diving, Parakiore will feature wide platforms essential for synchronised diving training, which Mr Gladding says is a major component of the sport. 

“This will enable us to train athletes side by side, a vital aspect of synchro diving that we currently lack in many regions.” 

To further develop the sport, Diving New Zealand is actively recruiting talent through school programmes, focusing on students with a love for water and gymnastics. 

"We’ve noticed that kids who enjoy being upside down and have acrobatic skills are the ones attracted to hurling themselves off a 10-metre diving board,” Mr Gladding says. 

“We also just want to see people build their deep-water confidence, given the role water plays in the kiwi lifestyle. So, we’re not just looking for the prefect perfect pike at Parakiore, people should be getting excited about showing off their bombs and manus as well.”  

Crown infrastructure company, Rau Paenga, is responsible for the delivery of Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, with construction expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. Parakiore will be owned and operated by Christchurch City Council, when it opens in late 2025.