Competition Pathways

From first competitions to international events, diving offers a structured pathway for progression. This page explains the different competition levels, what to expect at each stage, and how divers develop over time.

How diving competitions work

Diving competitions are structured around levels, with each level introducing more complex skills, additional dives, and higher expectations.

At all levels:

• Divers perform a list of dives
• Each dive is scored by judges based on technique, control, and execution
• Scores are combined to give a total result

As divers progress, they:

• Perform more dives
• Learn dives from different groups (e.g. forward, backward, inward, reverse, twisting)
• Increase difficulty and complexity

DNZ Skills Testing – Levels 1–4

Entry-level competition pathway
The DNZ Skills Testing levels are designed to introduce divers to competition in a supportive and structured way.

Focus

• Learning correct technique
• Building confidence in a competition setting
• Developing foundational diving skills

Structure

• Divers perform a set list of set dives (no choice)
• Two age groups: 11 years and unders, and 12 years and over

​What to expect

• Local and regional competitions, and DNZ National Skills Competition
• Strong focus on participation and learning
• Coaches guide divers through the process

Scoring
Divers are scored on a scale from 1 to 10 for each dive across all three boards within their level. These scores are then added together, and ribbons are awarded based on the total score.

• Bronze ribbon: 75–97.45 (average score of 5.0 or higher)
• Silver ribbon: 97.5–112.45 (average score of 6.5 or higher)
• Gold ribbon: 112.5 and above (average score of 7.5 or higher)

Progression
Divers move from Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3 → Level 4 as they master required skills.

Once they complete all levels, they can progress to interage or age-group competitions.

Dive LIsts

There is no choice of dives – all divers complete the same required skills for their level.
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Level 1

Poolside	1 metre	3 metre
Push dive, three bubble entry	Front jump straight, part arm swing	Front jump straight, part arm swing
Crouching back dive	Front jump pike, part arm swing	Front jump pike, part arm swing
Forward wedge	Front jump tuck, part arm swing	Front jump tuck, part arm swing
Extended back pike fall	Back jump straight, part arm swing	Back jump tuck​, part arm swing
Back jump, half twist	Back line-up, hands grabbed	Front line-up pike standing, hands grabbed

​Level 2

Poolside	1 metre	3 metre
Push dive, hands apart	Front jump straight, 1-step hurdle, ​no arm swing	Front jump pike with double bounce
Inward pike wedge	Front dive tuck standing, no arm swing	Front jump tuck with quad bounce
Back pike sit	Frong jump pike with double bounce	Back jump tuck from "T" with rocks
Reverse pike sit	Front jump straight with quad bounce	Front line-up pike, hands apart
Back dive with arm swing	Back jump tuck from "T" with rocks	Front line-up pike, arms in "T"

​Level 3

1 metre	3 metre	5 metre
Front jump straight with hurdle	Front line-up straight	Front jump straight (from "T", lift and swing)
Front jump pike with quad bounce	Front line-up pike (sitting wrapped)	Front jump pike ​(from "T", lift and swing)
Back jump straight from "T" with 3 rocks	Front line-up tuck	Front jump tuck ​(from "T", lift and swing)
Back jump pike from "T" with 3 rocks	Back line-up straight (arms down)	Back jump straight ​(from "T", lift and swing)
Front dive tuck with double bounce, ​no arm swing	Back line-up tuck	Back jump tuck ​(from "T", lift and swing)

​Level 4

1 metre	3 metre	5 metre
Front dive pike standing, with arm swing	Front dive pike standing with arm swing	Front line-up straight
Front dive tuck standing, with arm swing	Front dive tuck standing, with arm swing	Front line-up pike (standing from "T")
Back dive tuck with arm swing	Inwards dive tuck	Front line-up tuck
Inwards dive tuck	Back line-up pike, closed	Back line-up straight, arms down
Front somersault standing, ​without arm swing	Jumping back line-up, arms down	Back line-up tuck

NZ Age Group Competition

Divers progress from the Skills programme into NZ Age Group competitions. At this stage, divers begin creating and performing their own dive lists, competing at events locally and across New Zealand.

These competitions introduce greater independence, with divers working alongside coaches to build lists that suit their strengths and development.
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There are medals awarded to the top three divers in each event, and strong performances may lead to selection opportunities through Diving New Zealand for entry-level international competitions, such as events in Australia.

Dive requirements
Divers perform a structured dive list across different dive groups, with a mix of required and optional dives.
​​Dive groups include:

• Forward
• Backward
• Inward
• Reverse
• Twisting

Typical requirements (varies by age):

• A set number of dives (e.g. 4–8 dives depending on age group and board)
• Introduction of degree of difficulty (DD) in scoring
• Dive lists are structured with:
  - Dives with a DD limit (focused on technique)
  - Dives with no DD limit (allowing for progression and difficulty)​

Age Group Dive Lists
There are 6 age groups:

• 19-24 years
• Group A: 16–18 years
• Group B: 14–15 years
• Group C: 12–13 years
• Group D: 11 years & under

Age is determined as at 31 December of the competition year.

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Age Groups DIVE LISTS

Age is as at 31 December of the competition year

Group 19–24 years

1 metre	3 metre	Platform
7 dives in total 2 dives (2 groups used) – DD limit of 3.6 5 dives (4 groups used) – no DD limit	7 dives in total 2 dives (2 groups used) – DD limit of 3.6 5 dives (4 groups used) – no DD limit	6 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 2 dives (2 groups used) – DD limit of 3.6 4 dives (3 groups used) – no DD limit

Group A (16–18 years)

1 metre	3 metre	Platform
8 dives in total 4 dives (4 groups used) – DD limit of 7.6 4 dives (4 groups used) – no DD limit	8 dives in total 4 dives (4 groups used) – DD limit of 7.6 4 dives (4 groups used) – no DD limit	​7 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 4 dives – DD limit of 7.6 3 dives – no DD limit (6 groups used overall)

Group B (14–15 years)

1 metre	3 metre	Platform
7 dives in total 4 dives (4 groups used) – DD limit of 7.6 3 dives (3 groups used) – no DD limit	7 dives in total 4 dives (4 groups used) – DD limit of 7.6 3 dives (3 groups used) – no DD limit	6 dives in total (from the 5m or 7m)​ 3 dives – DD limit of 5.4 3 dives – no DD limit (5 groups used overall)

Group C (12–13 years)

1 metre	3 metre	Platform
6 dives in total 3 dives (3 groups used) – DD limit of 5.4 3 dives (3 groups used) – no DD limit	6 dives in total 3 dives (3 groups used) – DD limit of 5.4 3 dives (3 groups used) – no DD limit	5 dives in total (from the 5m or 7m) 3 dives (3 groups used) – DD limit of 5.4 2 dives (2 groups used) – no DD limit

Group D (11 years & under)

1 metre	3 metre	Platform
6 dives in total 3 dives (3 groups used) – DD limit of 5.4 3 dives (3 groups used) – no DD limit	6 dives in total 3 dives (3 groups used) – DD limit of 5.4 3 dives (3 groups used) – no DD limit	4 dives in total (from the 5m) 2 dives (3 groups used) – from selected list 2 dives (3 groups used) – DD limit of 3.6

World Aquatics Junior Elite (Age Group)

To progress further, divers move into World Aquatics Junior Elite lists, which are recognised internationally and form the pathway to higher-level competition.

At this level, divers continue to refine their skills while increasing the difficulty and complexity of their dive lists. These competitions provide opportunities for selection to represent New Zealand at international events.

World Aquatics (formerly FINA) is the international governing body for aquatic sports, and its Junior Elite pathway aligns with global competition standards.

Dive requirements
Divers perform full competition lists across all dive groups, with a clear balance between execution and difficulty.
​​Dive groups include:

• Forward
• Backward
• Inward
• Reverse
• Twisting

Typical requirements (varies by age group and board):

• A higher number of dives (typically 7–10+ dives)
  
• Dive lists are split into:
  - Compulsory dives (with DD limits, focusing on technique)
  - Optional dives (no DD limit, allowing for higher difficulty)
• Increased emphasis on:
  - Degree of difficulty (DD)
  - Consistency and execution

Age Groups
There are 3 age groups:

• Group A: 16–18 years
• Group B: 14–15 years
• Group C: 12–13 years

Age is determined as at 31 December of the competition year.

Competitions and progression
World Aquatics Junior Elite competitions are held both nationally and internationally, with strong performances contributing towards selection for international events.

The highest level of junior competition is the World Aquatics Junior World Championships, held every two years. This event represents the top level of competition for junior divers globally.

Training Pathway
Divers competing at this level typically train in the performance squad, with a greater commitment to training and development.

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Junior Elite DIVE LISTS

Age is as at 31 December of the competition year

Group A (16–18 years)

	1 metre	3 metre	Platform
Boys	10 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.0 5 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	10 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.5 5 dives (from different groups), no DD limit	9 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 4 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 7.6 5 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit ​(6 groups used overall)
Girls	9 dives in total 5 dives (from 5 different groups) – DD limit of 9.0 4 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	9 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.5 4 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	8 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 4 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 7.6 4 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit ​(5 groups used overall)

Group B (14–15 years)

	1 metre	3 metre	Platform
Boys	9 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.0 4 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	9 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.5 4 dives (from different groups), no DD limit	8 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 4 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 7.6 4 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit ​(5 groups used overall)
Girls	8 dives in total 5 dives (from 5 different groups) – DD limit of 9.0 3 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	8 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.5 3 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	7 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 4 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 7.6 3 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit ​(5 groups used overall)

Group C (12–13 years)

	1 metre	3 metre	Platform
Boys	8 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.0 3 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	8 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.5 3 dives (from different groups), no DD limit	7 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 4 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 7.6 3 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit
Girls	7 dives in total 5 dives (from 5 different groups) – DD limit of 9.0 2 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	7 dives in total 5 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 9.5 2 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit	6 dives in total (from the 5m, 7m or 10m) 4 dives (from different groups) – DD limit of 7.6 2 dives (from different groups) – no DD limit

World Aquatics Open

The World Aquatics Open level represents the highest level of diving competition, where athletes compete at senior national and international events.

At this stage, divers perform full competition lists with high levels of difficulty, precision, and consistency, often after progressing through the Junior Elite pathway.

World Aquatics Open competitions align with international standards and include events such as World Championships, World Cups, and the Olympic Games.​

Dive requirements
Divers perform full competition lists across all dive groups, with complete flexibility in dive selection.
​​Dive groups include:

• Forward
• Backward
• Inward
• Reverse
• Twisting

Typical requirements (varies by event and board):

• 5 dives (women) or 6 dives (men)
  
• All dives are optional (no DD limit)
  
• Dive lists must include a range of dive groups
  
• Strong emphasis on:
  - High degree of difficulty (DD)
  - Technical execution
  - Consistency across all dives

Competition format
Competitions are typically structured in stages:

• Preliminary rounds
• Semi-finals (in some events)
• Finals

Divers must perform consistently across rounds to progress and place.

Competitions and progression
World Aquatics Open competitions are held at both national and international levels. At the highest level, divers may represent New Zealand at major events including:

• World Aquatics Championships
• World Aquatics World Cup events
• The Olympic Games

Training pathway
Divers competing at this level typically train within high-performance programmes, with a strong focus on elite-level preparation, physical conditioning, and competition readiness.

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