GREENSBORO—Athletes are hoping to make a big splash in Greensboro this week at the USA Diving's 2015 Synchronized Diving National Championships.
“Diving is a unique sport," said Jennifer Lowery, USA Diving Public Relations. "It’s a combination of swimming and gymnastics in the water. Synchronized diving is very artistic. You get the grace and art, but two divers doing it at the same time.”
A sport now getting its own moment in the spotlight. USA Diving kicked off the first Synchronized National Championships this week.
“Teams that have never dove together are meeting up," said Max Showalter, Diver. "It's bringing out talent USA Diving has never seen before."
Almost 300 divers from across the US, including six Olympians, are competing in Greensboro. Some divers as young as 7-years-old.
"Olympians are training six days a week for 5 hours a day," said Lowery. "They dedicate their lives to this."
The championships also feature mixed gender synchronized diving during the open category with one male and one female diver per team. There are eight new events and a total of 16 national titles up for grabs.
“All the divers that are here have been to nationals before," said Showalter. "Training on the national team. Usually teams train six days a week, a lot of pool time."
Organizers say three of four medals TEAM USA divers won in the 2012 Olympics were in synchronized diving events. They hope these new championships will get more divers competing at an early age.
The championships will also decide who represents Team USA at the FINA World Championships.
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