GBDF Summer Masters 2004
11th/12th September, Dublin National Aquatics Centre
Six divers represented Cambridge Diving Club in this year's GBDF Summer Masters competition at Dublin's National Aquatics Centre.
First up was Anne Murray in the womens' 3m 40-49 championship event. Anne came third with a score of 251.35 points. Next was Alex Town in the men's 16-29 novice 1m. Alex came 9th in this event with a respectable score of 127.25 in what was his first competition.
Back on the 3m board, Claire Dawkins won a bronze medal in the 16-24 championship class with a score of 228.80. In the same event but the novice category, Helen Czerski also won the bronze medal with a score of 152.25. Like Alex, this was Helen's first competition.
The next event was the men's 25-29 championship 1m. Cambridge was represented in this event by James Etherington (in a last-minute entry), Huw Griffiths and Richard Bowers. After a year of competing at novice level, Huw and Richard made the move to the main championship category. Not surprisingly then, Huw came 6th with a score of 216.55 points and Richard 7th with 197.70 points. James on the other hand came a fine second with little preparation, scoring 366.50 points.
After the springboard events, attention turned to the platforms. First up the tower was Anne, who obviously wanted to get noticed with a very shiny new rubber swimsuit. Anne came second in her 40-49 championship event with a score of 181.35 points. In an attempt to get post-dive bonus points, Anne kindly put on a demostration of what can happen when water retention gets really bad, getting out of the pool with much of it still inside the new rubber suit. A lesson here children: rubber outfits may have their place but a diving pit isn't one of them.
Anne's event was followed by Claire's age group on the platform. Claire, sporting a far less comic swimsuit, won her event with a score of 187.00.
The last event of the day was the men's 16-29 novice platform event. Alex, Huw & Richard all competed in this event, the latter two claiming with the number of dives to be learnt on the springboard, going to championship on the platform too was too much. Richard came 4th in this competition with a score of 131.05, Huw 5th with 129.15 and Alex 6th with 126.15.
The next day saw the springboard events reversed, with the women on the 1m and the men on the 3m. Anne was again first from Cambridge to dive, coming third with a score of 246.90. Claire and Helen followed in the championship and novice classes respectively. Claire finished second in her class with 238.75 points, and Helen 7th with 127.25.
In the penultimate event of the competition, and the last with a Cambridge representative, Huw and Richard competed in the men's 3m championship. Huw finished in fourth place with 224.55 and Richard fifth with 210.50.
While not returning with the haul of medals of previous Master's competitions, all divers this time are happy with their achievements. James' first competition in a long time; Anne's success despite not being able to train; Alex and Helen's first competition; Huw and Richard moving up to the "Big Boy's" category. This competition may be Claire's last as she leaves for university (allbeit by moving two miles up Hills Road into college). The club wishes her well and looks forward to seeing her in perhaps a less intense environment!
Posted 28/09/2004