Not everyone can dive off a seven-metre platform, or even flip backwards off a three-metre springboard.

It takes a certain type of personality, coupled with the athletic ability.

At 12 years old, Carson Paul is happy to oblige. The Royal Oak middle school student is one of seven Boardworks diving club athletes between the ages of seven and 13 who will compete in this weekB次元官网网址檚 Speedo Junior Development National Championships at Saanich Commonwealth Place, July 7 to 9.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been doing it since I was 4,B次元官网网址� Paul said. B次元官网网址淏ecause not everyone can do it is [actually] one of the reasons I like it, and itB次元官网网址檚 fun. IB次元官网网址檓 happy the [nationals] are here this time so I donB次元官网网址檛 have to travel.B次元官网网址�

The development nationals will draw 90 of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 best junior divers to Saanich. The athletes are competing for spots on the Canadian team for the Pan Am Junior Diving Championships, which is also at Commonwealth Place, Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. The Pan Ams will feature the best youth divers from Canada, the United States and Central and South America.

B次元官网网址淔or five of our kids this week is their first time at nationals,B次元官网网址� said Boardworks coach Lisa Boog. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 their first opportunity to compete on the national stage and itB次元官网网址檚 also great for our little ones who arenB次元官网网址檛 competing to see it, as theyB次元官网网址檒l be there to volunteer and to cheer on their teammates.B次元官网网址�

Leading the way are Paul and teammate Keira Lu, 10. Both are 2016 Junior National bronze medallists and both swept gold for their age group at the recent 2017 summer provincials at Commonwealth Place on the one-metre, 3m and platform.

Diving runs Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

In a few weeks Boardworks will send a crew of divers to the Canadian Junior National Championships (14 to 18) in Montreal.