# High Diving Pool Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977 "2003-12-31T18:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SuperNova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SuperNova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNova)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/1 "2003-12-31T18:46:00Z")
Whenever you watch diving in the Olympics, the pools always have little water sprays or bubble jets at the surface. What is the purpose of those things? ---
**Author:** ![gcarroll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/65b543/32.png) [@gcarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gcarroll)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/2 "2003-12-31T18:54:30Z")
I think it makes it easier to see exactly where the surface of the water is. From on high, with very clear water that is still, this is diffcult. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/3 "2003-12-31T19:13:24Z")
For me, it’s much easier to urinate up there if I hear the sound of running water. ---
**Author:** ![nameless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/779978/32.png) [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/4 "2003-12-31T19:41:46Z")
**gcarroll** is absolutely correct. Reference is a huge problem for divers as they are constantly flipping and twisting about. The choppy surface is a lot easier to identify than a smooth one. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/5 "2003-12-31T20:03:53Z")
Being able to visually pick up the surface while in the air is the main reason, as others have said. In addition, doesn’t a slightly rough water surface also produce less splash? I’m trying to recall some dim memory, so I may be way off on this one. ---
**Author:** ![SuperNova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SuperNova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNova)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/6 "2004-01-01T17:49:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gcarroll \* > \*\*I think it makes it easier to see exactly where the surface of the water is. From on high, with very clear water that is still, this is diffcult. \*\* Makes sense. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/7 "2004-01-01T17:58:05Z")
In case of a misjudgement, isn’t disturbed water safer to belly-flop into? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/8 "2004-01-01T18:05:20Z")
In complex dives the diver only has moments to judge their height. If the surface is flat it is extremely difficult to judge where you are. Mind you it may increase the visual appeal of diving if the divers didn’t know their height and were regularly tragically long or short. ---
**Author:** ![SuperNova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SuperNova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNova)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-diving-pool-question/221977/9 "2004-01-01T18:39:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by glee \* > \*\*In case of a misjudgement, isn’t disturbed water safer to belly-flop into? \*\* Y’know, I thought this. With the surface tension broken, one would think it would be a little “softer” to hit. I don’t know if it makes a significant difference though.