From the late-nineteenth century into the early-twentieth century, springboards were standard equipment at many ocean pools. Diving boards were often removed and locked away in winter
While diving was generally regarded as a graceful activity, part of Annette Kellerman’s internationally successful swimming act was a dive with the inelegant title of the ‘Australian Splosh’. Diving competitions were a standard element of swimming carnivals and comic diving acts were commonplace.
As few ocean pools were constructed specifically for diving, there were predictable complaints about ocean pools being too shallow for safe diving. For safety reasons and concerns about public liability, the springboards have now disappeared from ocean pools and diving is now discouraged.