Knight-Wisdom aiming to lift diving in Ja
IN JANUARY 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak, Olympic Games diver Yona Knight-Wisdom hosted his firstever diving camp, at the National Stadium Pool.
Four years on, the 28-year-old who became the nation’s first Olympic diver when he qualified for the 2016 games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, is planning to host his second local camp in August. Knight-Wisdom who recently qualified for his third successive Olympic Games, said although the plans are not set in stone, the intention is to run a two-week camp immediately after the Paris Games and it will be open to all.
“I am planning to run the camp between the end of the Olympics and September so hopefully between August 12 and 25, give or take.
“The camp will be open to anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of it regardless of ability, the key requirement is an ability to swim competently in deep water,” he said.
Although Jamaica has a vibrant aquatics culture, diving is not high on the radar and Knight-Wisdom hopes that his camps will continue to build interest in this branch of the sport.
“The goal is to build an interest in diving. On the final day of the camp, all of the participants who can make it will take part in a display which will be open for friends and families to come and watch.
“Everyone who takes part will get an ‘introduction to diving’ booklet with lots of basic information and a certificate of participation.
“I hope for a bigger turnout. I got some good feedback last time that the timing of the sessions weren’t ideal and also it was quite late in the summer holiday, so hopefully I can make an adjustment on those things and allow more people to attend,” he said.
There will be a daily fee of $1000 which will help contribute to the development of diving on the island.
He is also hoping for the support of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and other sponsors in this endeavour.
“The JOA, just their support and backing will be enough. Eventually I hope to tap into their network to help build the programme when it is more established. The only financial requirement for this camp would be my travel and accommodation expenses.
“Last time I paid for everything myself, travel, accommodation, paperwork, certificates and even a videographer. This year it would be amazing to get some help either from a sponsor or the JOA,” Knight-Wisdom said.
He is looking to officially launch the camp in early March. Further information and registration will be available on his website www.yonakw.me.