Club makes more of a splash thanks to show (From Bury Times)
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Club makes more of a splash thanks to show
12:38pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News
A HIT television show about celebrities learning to dive is tempting new recruits to dip their toe in a Bury pool.
Organisers at Bury Dragons Diving Club say they have been inundated with inquiries since ITV1 sports entertainment show Splash! hit the screen recently.
Fifteen celebrities, including comedian Dom Joly and model Caprice, were shown receiving technique tips from Olympic diver Tom Daley before putting their skills to the test on the high board.
The eventual winner was former Olympic ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards.
About 5.1 million viewers watched the first programme on January 6 and 5.2 million watched the final on February 2.
Janet Ward, a diving coach at Bury Dragons, which runs from Castle Leisure Centre in Bolton Street, said the show had massively boosted the club’s popularity and that of 14 other clubs elsewhere in the UK.
She added: “We have had 35 emails since Splash! was aired — and many calls too — compared to the previous month when we had none.
“Most of our classes are for juniors. We tried to get an adult session off the ground a few years ago but it had limited success. The raft of inquiries we’ve had means we’ll be able to breath new life into the club.
“Most lessons are full and we have a waiting list that has now been closed because there are too many people on it.” Ms Ward, who took up diving 13 years ago when she was 50, said most of the those who have got in touch used to dive as a child or have experience in similar disciplines, such as gymnastics.
She said: “A lot of people remember how fun it was back then and want to get back in to it, maybe in their 30s or 40s.
“Diving strengthens your core, helps with muscle tone and your general fitness. Our sessions are very sociable as only one person dives at once. There’s definitely an opportunity to make friends and there is also a possibility of competing.”
Ms Ward added: “Some loved the Splash! and some hated it, but it has encouraged so many people to give it a go.”
To find out more: visit burydragons.com
