Springboard facts for kids
A diving board or springboard is a special board used for diving into water. It works like a big spring, helping divers get extra height and bounce for their jumps. Imagine a flexible plank that helps you jump higher!
These boards are usually attached at one end with a hinge, so they can be lifted up when not in use. The other end hangs over a swimming pool. In the middle, there's a special support called a fulcrum that can be moved to change how much the board bounces.
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Diving Boards: What Are They?
What Are Springboards Made Of?
Modern diving boards are often made from a single piece of strong aluminum, similar to what is used in airplanes. For example, the Maxiflex Model B, which is used in many diving competitions, is made from this type of aluminum. It's specially treated to be very strong.
The top surface of the board is designed to prevent slipping. It has a special coating made from an epoxy resin, mixed with tiny bits of flint and alumina. This makes the surface rough, so divers have a good grip. The coating is usually aqua-colored to match the clear water of a pool.
How Does a Springboard Bounce?
The way a springboard bounces can be changed! This is done using the fulcrum, which is a support point usually found in the middle of the board. When you move the fulcrum, you change how stiff or flexible the board feels.
Think of it like this: if the fulcrum is closer to the end of the board, it makes the board stiffer, so it bounces less. If the fulcrum is moved closer to where the board is attached, it makes the board more flexible, giving a bigger bounce. This allows divers to choose the perfect bounce for their specific dive.
Changing the Bounce: The Fulcrum
On competitive diving boards, the fulcrum can move about 0.61 metres (24 inches). Divers adjust it using a large foot wheel, which is about 0.35 m (14 in) wide. To make the board stiffer (less bouncy), you usually turn the foot wheel counter-clockwise.
It might seem a bit tricky at first, as we often turn things clockwise to tighten them. But with practice, divers learn that the fulcrum moves in the direction their foot points when they push the wheel. For better control, divers often stand slightly to the side of the wheel, holding onto the handrails, to get more leverage. This helps them move even a stiff fulcrum.
How High Are Diving Boards?
Diving boards are typically set at two standard heights above the water: either 1.0 or 3.0 metres (3 ft 3 in or 9 ft 10 in). It's rare to find them at other heights in modern pools.
Many years ago, before the 1960s, diving boards were often made of wood. They could be found at heights of about 3 metres (approximately 10 ft) or even 6 metres (approximately 20 ft) above the water. A famous painting from 1947 by American artist Norman Rockwell, called Boy on High Dive, shows a boy looking down from a high wooden diving board of that time.
Diving Boards at Home: Safety First
Today, it's less common to see diving boards in home swimming pools. This is mainly because safety is extremely important when diving. For a diving board to be safe, the swimming pool must be deep enough in the right areas.
It's crucial that any diving board is installed by professionals who follow strict safety guidelines. These rules help make sure that the pool's depth and the board's position are safe for diving, preventing accidents and ensuring everyone can enjoy the pool safely.
