Getting to know Hudson Skinner

Hudson Skinner is a professional diver at the Victorian Institute of Sport and trains at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Hudson has represented Australia at the Canada and American Diving Cups, and will compete at his first World Championships in Singapore in July.

Congratulations on making the team for Singapore, you’re headed there in a couple of weeks, what are you most looking forward to?

I think I’m most looking forward to seeing all the other competitors and the amazing set up for the event. And just having a lot of spectators in the crowd will be great.

How long have you been diving for?

I’ve been diving for about 9 to 10 years now. This is my first World Championships, and I’m really looking forward to it.

What made you get into diving? Was there anyone you watched, or an Olympics, or an event that you watched that really made you want think you wanted to pick up the sport?

I started diving, actually transferring from a kids gymnastics program, which only went up to a certain age limit. And one of the the parents suggested that I try diving. I always enjoyed rock jumping at the beach or really just flinging myself off anything. So diving was a perfect fit.

You get to train here at MSAC with these beautiful facilities, what do you love most about getting to train here?

I actually live around Albert Park, so It’s really convenient for me to be able to train here but the facilities are amazing. I’ve spent pretty much my whole career training here and it’s just a real privilege to be able to dive close to home and dive in such an amazing centre.

Do you have a favourite platform to dive off, or a favourite dive that you love?

Yeah, I really enjoy twisting dives, so probably one of my favourite dives is a front two and a half with a double twist on the three metre springboard. [I] really love that dive.

And for all the non-divers out there, how would you recommend someone take up diving?

I would first suggest tryingsome sort of aerial acrobatics, even if it’s just basic gymnastics. But then the next best place to come is diving and contact Diving Victoria or one of the many other clubs that we’ve got here at MSAC.

To learn more about diving at MSAC, please visit Diving Victoria’s website here.