Diving has been temporarily banned at most public pools in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty after a 16-year-old girl suffered a spinal injury at the Greerton Aquatic Centre in November. The incident has prompted a comprehensive review of pool diving safety protocols, potentially leading to nationwide changes.
The teenager was swimming in the 25-metre lap pool when she dove from the bulkhead and struck the bottom, losing consciousness, according to reporting by NZME. She was resuscitated at the scene and transported to Middlemore Hospital’s National Spinal Unit for treatment.
In response to the accident, Bay Venues, the operator of several aquatic facilities in the region, has suspended all recreational diving. The ban affects the Otumoetai, Memorial Park, and Baywave pools, as well as the Mount Hot Pools (currently undergoing maintenance) and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Te Puke Memorial Pool and Dave Hume Pools in Katikati, which reopened in December following refurbishments. Deep-water pools at Baywave and Te Puke are exempt from the ban.
Bay Venues chief executive Chad Hooker stated the decision was made to prioritize customer safety. “There is no confirmed timeline of when this thorough review process will be complete,” Hooker said, adding that the organization is collaborating with Recreation Aotearoa, the national aquatics industry body, to develop national guidance on pool depths and safe diving conditions. “This operate will assist shape clear national guidance around minimum pool depths and the conditions under which diving can safely capture place.”
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has voiced its support for the ban. Peter Watson, the council’s reserves and facilities manager, noted that Bay Venues is working directly with swimming clubs and coaches to manage risks during the review period. Watson also clarified that all swimming meets and school events will be required to utilize in-water starts during the pause in diving to avoid confusion regarding dive start training.
He indicated that any future allowance for diving may include strict conditions, such as limiting dives to sanctioned competitions or coached sessions with trained supervision.
Swimming Bay of Plenty spokesperson Karen Nixon said the ban has not impacted their club, as diving is still permitted at Baywave. She also noted that diving is allowed under the direct supervision of qualified swim club coaches or registered learn-to-swim instructors. Omanu Swim Club, which operates at a pool not managed by Bay Venues, is also unaffected.
Evolution Aquatics, a swimming club based at Otumoetai Pools, reported that Bay Venues communicated the policy change effectively. A club spokesperson stated the pause primarily affects recreational swimmers and does not impact training sessions. Head coach Riccardo Pini emphasized the importance of proper dive instruction, stating, “Young swimmers should learn to perform race dives following the correct and safe progressions. Teaching/coaching is the key here.” Pini also highlighted the range of potential hazards present at swimming pools and the necessitate for periodic risk assessments.
Liz van Welie Aquatics, a professional supervised group, also reported no impact from the diving pause, noting that dive starts are not frequently performed during training unless nearing a competition. The club also utilizes its own pool for training purposes.
