Celebrating 500 days till London 2012!
Published Monday 14th March 11 in Council - news and information releases news
As part of Southend’s Legacy 2012, Southend youngsters will tomorrow, Tuesday 15th March, be immersed in celebrations for the 500 day countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
They will have special opportunities to watch an expert diving display, as well as trying out diving for themselves. This event is being held at Southend Swimming and Diving Centre at Garon Park , off Eastern Avenue , Southend, and is an Essex Legacy Inspire Mark activity.
The Inspire mark recognises the event as being outstanding enough to contribute to the Games' lasting legacy.
It all begins at 1.45pm when around 60 pupils from Bournes Green and Temple Sutton Schools will watch accomplished young divers demonstrating their skills.
This display will be performed by the Talent Identification group, featuring children selected for diving training and development in a talent search in schools last year, as well as some of the divers from Southend Parkwood Diving Programme.
Straight afterwards the young spectators will have the opportunity to try jumps/dives themselves under qualified supervision.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Head of Culture, Nick Harris said: "This is an excellent opportunity to introduce children to the thrill of diving, both by watching exciting displays and then immediately trying it out for themselves.
"It is also a very practical way to harness the huge interest in diving which is increasingly being generated by the new Southend Swimming and Diving Centre, as well as by the approach of London 2012.
"All tomorrow's participants will be presented with special certificates and information on Learn to Dive classes, to encourage them to pursue diving further, if they wish to."