The stage is set and the diving is underway at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre as the 2022 British Elite Junior Diving Championships provide the future of the sport with a top-level competition opportunity and the chance for junior national titles.
The Boys B 1m Prelims and Boys A 3m Prelims were the first events to take place across 10 sessions and four days (13th-16th April), as athletes from across the country test themselves against their age-group peers, compete for podium spots and look to put themselves in contention for selection to the European Junior Championships team, which will compete in Bucharest, Romania in June.
The Elite Juniors programme features individual and synchronised events across the 3m Springboard and Platform categories, as well as individual competitions off the 1m Springboard. The three age-group categories are as follows: Group C - 13 years and under in 2022; Group B - 14-15 years old in 2022; Group A - 16-18 years old in 2022.
On top of the competition opportunities, this week's event is also a chance for young athletes to put into competitive practice the training and lists they have worked on with dedication over recent months and much of the disrupted last two years.
You do not have to miss a minute of the action, either. Every session from Southend will be shown live on the British Swimming YouTube channel here.
One athlete who will be looking for more success at this level after an impressive display at last year's competition is Desharne Bent-Ashmeil of Dive London. As well as individual success off the boards, Bent-Ashmeil teamed up with Luton Diving Club's Amy Rollinson to earn titles at October's Elite Junior Diving Championships In Memory of David Jenkins, and then again at February's senior British National Diving Cup.
Speaking about her love for the sport ahead of competing, Desharne said: "My favourite part is the rush that you get when you're learning new dives, as well as the people you get to meet as you travel the world.
"My favourite thing about training with Amy is how she lets me by myself and I don't have to change the way I am, which I really appreciate about her. I also like how she keeps me focused on our goals that we've set for the future, and also how she keeps me calm during competitions."
Previewing the event, British Diving Performance Pathway Lead Julian Bellan previously said: "It is fantastic that we are again able to provide this crucial competition opportunity for the next generation of British diving talent, as well as giving athletes, coaches and others in the diving community the chance to reunite on deck. Having family and friends of our divers back in the stands will be an added highlight – and we are grateful to our hosts for this event at the Southend Swimming and Diving Centre for their ongoing support.
"The 2022 Elite Junior Diving Championships will play a crucial role in helping us select a team for the European Junior Championships, as we look to follow up on a successful competition in 2021 that brought nine medals and a string of promising performances from our young divers."
The British Swimming YouTube channel HERE is the place to watch all the action from the 2022 Elite Junior Diving Championships.