Heat is on for diving family
THE Gold Coast’s warm weather and open-air diving venue attracted three women from more than 13,000km away for this year’s Pan Pacific Masters Games.
Visiting all the way from Saskatoon in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, where temperatures are currently well below zero, are mother-daughter duo Makayla Piper, 19, and Camila Colan, 42, and Pan Pacs regular Joan Markentin, 47.
Makayla and Camila took part in the synchronised diving together, placing fifth despite Makayla not having dived in years.
“I stepped onto the board for the first time in five years, five days ago,” she said.
“I have been so busy studying and teaching young kids to dive that I never get the chance any more myself but luckily a lot of the dives are just muscle memory. I’ve only had to learn a few new ones.”
Her mother Camila, who won an individual silver in the 3m springboard at these games, has also had a break from diving following major shoulder surgery.
“I’ve actually been wanting to compete in the Pan Pacs for years but I seriously injured my shoulder so these games have been a long time coming,” she said. “Wanting to compete in Australia was my motivation to get back into it. It has been so much fun and I have loved the Gold Coast.”
Colan is proud to be able to share the love of diving with her daughter Makayla after starting her in the sport when she was seven years of age
“I have such passion for it – I enjoy diving so much. It feels like I’m flying and, like mother like daughter, Makayla loves it too,” she said.
Piper, who won an individual gold in the 5m platform, was also the youngest female competitor at the Pan Pacs.
“It’s interesting being the youngest. I really look up to the older competitors and admire them,” she said.