When teetering on the edge of a platform 10 metres in the air, it’s nice to know friends and family are there at the bottom.
Thunder Bay’s Molly Carlson, 14, and Helena Heiskanen, 13, know that feeling all too well as they compete in the 2013 Speedo Junior Elite National Diving Championships this weekend at the Canada Games Complex.
“Just knowing that you’re comfortable and confident in yourself, knowing where you are, it just means so much,” Carlson said.
But having all that support can also add a little more pressure Keiskanen added.
“You just don’t want to disappoint them,” she said.
The pair didn’t disappoint Friday as they both made it to the finals in group platform.
Carlson was second overall heading into the final round. Heiskanen took ninth. Carlson said she and Heiskanen work together and push each other every day.
“We help each other out through hard times, through good times we’re always there for each other and it makes us better,” she said.
As for what it takes to be a good diver, she said it’s all a state of mind.
“Being up there is so crazy you have so much nerves going but then you just gotta believe in yourself and know that you can do it and once you get up there and do the dive you feel so proud.”
