Women’s springboard diving club makes waves at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
A wellness initiative founded by a Sheffield medical student to help young women connect has introduced scores of beginners to the sport.
A women’s springboard diving club is making waves at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.
Soul and Social Club, a wellness group run by content creator and University of Sheffield medical student Fiona Kwan, launched the monthly diving sessions to help like-minded girls in Sheffield connect and it is believed to be the first club of its kind in the UK.
The diving classes, which are suitable for all levels, are led by expert diving coaches at the leisure centre and have gone from strength to strength.
In total, more than 100 women have learned to springboard dive thanks to the club’s new offering this summer, some of whom have been brave enough to try the 10m platform.
The facility is run by leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Sheffield City Council.
Co-founder of Soul and Social Club, Fiona, aged 22 from London, said: “We are so incredibly proud of everyone who has taken part in our springboard diving sessions at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.
“Our community is all about meeting new people and bringing girls in Sheffield together. One of our core values is trying new activities and to keep pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones. Our sessions had girls cheering each other on, meeting their fears at new heights and satisfying the little adrenaline junkie inside.
“Life does not end when you graduate university and so many of our members have 9-5 jobs, are taking a career break or are doing post-graduate studies. We love that our attendees are so varied and at different stages of their lives – diving brings us all together.
“The sessions have such a supportive and electric atmosphere. It has been such a pleasure to watch and we’d like to say thank you to all the coaches, lifeguards and wonderful staff for making this possible.”
Fiona says that social interaction gained through the sessions is pivotal for students and those who work from home, which is why she initially set up Soul and Social Club in February.
She added: “As a content creator, I found that I’d go many days without any meaningful interaction. I realised this was an issue that many people faced, such as women who work from home, post-graduate students and non-university goers.
“I also struggled a lot with maintaining friendships in my 20s and knew a lot of girls felt that way too. I decided to make a safe and supportive environment where girls can come and try new hobbies, not feel judged and also make new friends along the way.”
Nicola Smith, dive manager at Everyone Active, said: “Supporting so many eager and aspiring female divers to take their first steps on the springboard continues to be such a fantastic experience.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see the passion for this sport grow from a community which has a great focus on bringing girls together to enjoy a sense of belonging while staying active. We hope that these diving sessions, which are delivered in a safe, positive environment, continue to help empower female divers.
“We’d like to commend Fiona for kickstarting this wonderful project and we hope to see these divers reach great heights.”
The Soul and Social Club women’s only springboard diving sessions take place in the middle of the month, on a Wednesday at 3pm. The next session runs on Wednesday 18 November. To register, visit Instagram
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre runs weekly adult Learn to Dive Lessons on Monday or Friday evenings at 6.30-7.30pm. Weekly lunchtime drop-in diving sessions also run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.30pm-1.30pm.
Book via the Everyone Active app, at reception or by calling 0114 2233800.