Diving meets dance in collaboration between Queensland Ballet and Diving Australia

Australia’s top divers have stepped out of the pool and into the studio as part of a unique collaboration between Diving Australia and Queensland Ballet, designed to enhance artistry and performance in the lead-up to LA2028.

Working closely with program coaches, Queensland Academy of Sport support staff, and Queensland Ballet’s expert Teaching Artists at the Thomas Dixon Centre, divers took part in ballet classes tailored to improve posture, flexibility, line and musicality – all critical components of elite diving technique.

Queensland Ballet Director of Health and Community Zara Gomes said: “There are lots of parallels between ballet and diving. Our dancers are elite athletes – they train hard.”

One diver said: “Diving is a lot of sports all put together – and ballet’s one we can really learn from. What’s really surprised me is not that I thought it would be easy, but I didn’t expect it to be so hard… ballet dancers just make it look effortless.”

Diving Australia National Coach Adrian Hinchliffe said the initiative was part of a broader strategy to find marginal gains at the elite level: “We’re chasing the absolute best with our athletes. That’s why this connection with Queensland Ballet works – they understand the elite mindset.”