Tempe To Host First-Ever Dive into Diversity Festival

The Dive into Diversity Event Series, which will take place April 28-29, 2023, aims to be a catalyst to change the landscape of the Olympic sport of diving by empowering members of underrepresented communities through awareness, exposure and access.

As part of the inaugural event, Tempe will host up to 50 youth participants, ages 17 and under, for a dive showcase, water safety and dive clinics at Arizona State University’s Mona Plummer Aquatic Center — regarded as one of the country’s finest outdoor swimming and diving facilities.

“We are thrilled to be in Tempe to kick off this event,” said Diane Maiese, first Black NCAA Champion, first Black NCAA Div. 1 coach and first Black female World Aquatics-certified U.S. judge, in a recent press release.

“Studies show that children are more likely to participate in sports when they see talented athletes that look like them … Through Dive into Diversity, we hope to show Tempe and the world that there is a place for them on the pool deck,” Maiese continued. “Dive into Diversity was created to refill the pools that were once drained and give aquatics back to the communities it was taken from.”

This year marks the beginning of a multi-year partnership between Tempe Tourism Office and Dive into Diversity.

“Bringing this event series to Tempe is an opportunity to pair our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with our start-of-the-art facilities — two aspects of our mission that require each other in order to make true and lasting progress,” said Luchie Javelosa, Senior Sports Sales Manager at Tempe Tourism Office. “We’re not only excited to be a part of this inaugural event, but also to host it for years to come. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with an organization as impactful as Dive into Diversity and to use our platform to raise awareness and funds for marginalized youth who have a passion for the sport of diving.”

Additionally, the community is invited to a Dive into Diversity VIP cocktail reception Friday, April 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown’s Alibi Rooftop Lounge. The reception will include meet and greets with Olympic athletes and coaches as well as an opportunity to network with local professionals and contribute to making diving more accessible for all in your community and nationwide. Tickets and packages are available here, and proceeds will benefit the Dive into Diversity grant scholarship fund.

Did you know:

The majority (79%) of children in low-income families have little-to-no swimming ability.

Black and Latino individuals are less likely to learn to swim — and more likely to drown — than their white counterparts.

Aquatic sports are the only sports that also provide a life-saving skill. Diving instills confidence, focus, and discipline in its athletes which are carried with them off the pool deck and into the real world.

Source: Dive into Diversity

For more information about Dive into Diversity events and scholarships, visit dive.intodiversity.com.