6/5/2025
When we protect our athletes, we protect Diving.
You attended to your rituals and warmed up in the jacuzzi. Now, poised on the platform or springboard, you ready both body and mind for the dive. Diving requires attention to detail, mental toughness, and physical strength and flexibility. Whether competing individually or in synchronized events, you have done everything possible to reach peak performance and gain the highest score. Every eye is on you. Take your starting position, adjust your body in flight, and make your clean entry into the water. When we protect divers, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Diving Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Diving has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Diving competitions often involve subjective scoring, with points deducted from a baseline “perfect” score. Pressure and scrutiny to avoid point deductions can negatively impact self-esteem and confidence, and leave athletes emotionally vulnerable.
- Diving is highly technical, and a lack of education and training for athletes on diving safety can be considered negligent and greatly increases the risk of athlete injury.
- Divers may place a high level of trust in their coaches. This could lead to psychological dependence and/or blurred boundaries in the coach-athlete relationship.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
1/17/2025
Windle suspended indefinitely for misconduct
1/14/2025
Olympian Jordan Windle Becomes First USA Diving Member Banned In Six Years
9/6/2024
Former Rockland diving coach Byrne gets 18+ years in prison for sexually abusing two teens
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Diving Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Mental Health, and Safeguarding within Diving.
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Active & Safe Diving
Safeguarding
Learn about common diving injuries and how to practice injury prevention.
Crash Course: Concussion Education
Physical Safety
Learn about the prevention and treatment of concussions.
F.E.A.S.T.
Mental Health
Find support, resources, or connections for families affected by eating disorders.
Importance of Stretching in Diving
Physical Safety
Stretches to safely and properly prepare for diving.
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of REDs, symptoms and causes of REDs, and prevention.
The Impact of Eating Disorders on Athletic Performance
Mental Health
Develop an understanding of the impact that disordered eating has on athletic performance.
The Rate of Water Safety Team Interventions in High Diving, A Survey of Elite Athletes Performing between 2009 and 2021
Safeguarding
Read about safety data on high diving.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
View Crisis Resources
