How Tall Are Olympic Diving Boards?

In the world championships, men jump from a 27-meter-high (89 ft) platform, while women jump from a 20-meter-high (66 ft) platform. In other official competitions, men generally dive from a height of 22-27 meters (72-89 ft) while women dive from a height of 18-23 meters (59-75 ft). Standard diving boards are 1-3 meters high off the surface of the pool, while Olympic competition diving boards are 3 meters and 10 meters.

The diving board at an Olympic size pool is 10 meters high, 32 feet above the pool and is the highest dive platform in the Olympics. The platform used by men and women at the Olympics is a flat, rigid, non-slip surface elevated 10 meters (roughly 32 feet, 9 12). The height of the platforms – 10 meters (33 ft), 7.5 meters (25 ft), and 5 meters (16 ft) – gives the diver enough time to perform the acrobatic movements of a particular dive.

There are additional platforms set at 3 meters (9.8 ft) and 1 meter (3.3 ft). The springboard used at the Olympics sits 3 meters (9 feet, 10 inches) above and parallel to the water when stationary. From the pools edge, men generally dive from a height of 22-27 meters (72-89 ft) while women dive from a height of 18-23 meters (59-75 ft).

Heights of the boards range from 1m all the way up to 10 meters. The 3 m springboard, or what is commonly referred to as the high-board, is 9.84 feet. Jumping off the 3 m springboard for the first time is roughly 1 story. Springboard diving facilities are at least 4.8m long and 0.5 metre wide, provided with moveable fulcrums easily adjusted by the diver.

In order to perform a successful dive, it is essential to go in feet first, as straight as possible, with legs very tightly together and feet pointed down so the toes go in first.