Calling all dive bombers in the splash for cash

Having convinced Z Manu organisers to let Nelson stage a qualifier for the World Championship, Nayland Pool lifeguard Scott White reckons they have the local talent to bomb with the best.

After having to try and qualify from Christchurch last year, Nelson has now joined that province as the only South Island centre to send divers to compete with qualifiers from eight North Island pools.

“I wrote to the organisors and said you can’t call them world champs unless you have beaten my boys. So they agreed to give us a qualifying event,” says the 2024 New Zealand Lifeguard of the Year.

“The manu is part of our heritage, whether it was from wharves or bridges. It is a real Kiwi thing,” declares the 62-year-old known as ‘Papa Manu’.

Once Nayland Pool was confirmed, the complex has been swamped with bombers trying to fine tune their techniques on a daily basis ahead of this Saturday’s splash down.

Entry is free for the four qualifying divisions – kids (8-12 year-olds), youths (13-17), adults (18+) and freestyle, with each competitor getting two jumps from the three metre platform.

The freestyle is open to all ages with bombs ranging from the gorilla, cannonball, staple and the coffin.

Competition starts at 11.30am and will run through until late afternoon.

The judging panel will be looking for the best dive and the highest splash.

The top male and female qualifiers will receive return airfares to Auckland for the Z Manu finals on 1 March with $40,000 in prize money at stake.

Scott has seen enough of the top local bombers to rate three or four them as serious national contenders.

“They could go all the way. They are really supportive, a bit like snowboarders. They just want each other to do well.”

He’s expected to pull off a couple of back flips himself.

“No pressure. It’s fun and I love doing it,” concludes the former triathlete who’s still very competitive in the pool.