Six Uses for an Old Diving Board
Do you have an old Duraflex springboard? Do you not know what to do with it? Well here are some suggestions that may breathe life back into that old hunk of aluminum, or put a little money in your pocket.
Depending on whether the springboard is physically ok (no cracks or pieces missing), have the diving board resurfaced and use it again.
Older springboards may get the axe at places that have a lot of money to spend, but these boards can always find a home at summer club or high school program that needs a diving board but can't afford a the price of a new cheeseboard.
An older springboard can be resurfaced by the original maker of the diving board, Duraflex International, for approximately $1000.00, not counting the shipping costs. This can take up to three months (depending on the time of year - fall is best) from the time that you ship until the time it is returned, and the process will add longevity to a springboard that might otherwise be sold for scrap.
Keep your springboard, put it on the ground (keeping it level and stable of course), and use it to instruct beginners on the finer points of approaches and takeoffs such as where to stand, how many steps to take, where the hurdle should begin, etc.
A coach can spend a lot of time teaching a hurdle and approach on the ground, but there is something about standing on a diving board and the feel of the board underneath the feet that helps a diver remember what they have been taught.
Before using your springboard as this type of instructional tool, make sure the board is still in reasonable shape to walk on and if there are any sharp edges, use a file or sandpaper to smooth those out.
If the board is physically sound (no cracks or pieces missing), use it for a dryland diving board, mounted either on a dryland Durafirm diving stand or a portable dryland diving stand.
This option is by far one of the best uses for older diving boards, especially those that still have some life in them but the non-slip surface is not so non-slip anymore, and the funds for resurfacing the board are not available. If used productively, a dryland diving board can be a valuable addition to any diving program.
I know this one sounds unique, but it has been done before. Use the diving board as a table or bar, or create some sort of unique furniture from it.
You can cut the board down to lengths shorter than 16 feet and use just a portion, or the entire board if you have room; then lacquer the surface or enclose a portion in a case and add memorabilia …. the options are limitless!
If there just isn’t a place for an extra diving board, don’t let it go to waste – sell it to another diving club that may be in need of an extra springboard or two. Check around with fellow coaches, or use Facebook or Twitter to get the word out.
Another option is to sell your diving board through Springboards And More, a Duraflex sales representative and online outlet for all things diving related. Springboards And More will list your used board on their site on consignment and expand your market for potential buyers.
Here is a final option that will unfortunately spell the end of road for your Duraflex springboard, but allow you to benefit your local fire department and make a little money in the end.
If your diving board has cracks or is beyond repair, take the board to a local fire department and let them practice cutting the metal (an unfortunate but needed expertise for many departments) into smaller parts.
Now that the diving board is in smaller, more manageable pieces, it's easier to haul for scrap metal! Granted, the money you receive for scrap is not quite what you paid for the springboard, but it's better than nothing!
1. Put It Back in Service by Resurfacing
Depending on whether the springboard is physically ok (no cracks or pieces missing), have the diving board resurfaced and use it again.
Older springboards may get the axe at places that have a lot of money to spend, but these boards can always find a home at summer club or high school program that needs a diving board but can't afford a the price of a new cheeseboard.
An older springboard can be resurfaced by the original maker of the diving board, Duraflex International, for approximately $1000.00, not counting the shipping costs. This can take up to three months (depending on the time of year - fall is best) from the time that you ship until the time it is returned, and the process will add longevity to a springboard that might otherwise be sold for scrap.
2. Beginner Instruction
Keep your springboard, put it on the ground (keeping it level and stable of course), and use it to instruct beginners on the finer points of approaches and takeoffs such as where to stand, how many steps to take, where the hurdle should begin, etc.
A coach can spend a lot of time teaching a hurdle and approach on the ground, but there is something about standing on a diving board and the feel of the board underneath the feet that helps a diver remember what they have been taught.
Before using your springboard as this type of instructional tool, make sure the board is still in reasonable shape to walk on and if there are any sharp edges, use a file or sandpaper to smooth those out.
3. Dryland Diving Board
If the board is physically sound (no cracks or pieces missing), use it for a dryland diving board, mounted either on a dryland Durafirm diving stand or a portable dryland diving stand.
This option is by far one of the best uses for older diving boards, especially those that still have some life in them but the non-slip surface is not so non-slip anymore, and the funds for resurfacing the board are not available. If used productively, a dryland diving board can be a valuable addition to any diving program.
4. A Table
I know this one sounds unique, but it has been done before. Use the diving board as a table or bar, or create some sort of unique furniture from it.
You can cut the board down to lengths shorter than 16 feet and use just a portion, or the entire board if you have room; then lacquer the surface or enclose a portion in a case and add memorabilia …. the options are limitless!
5. Sell The Springboard
If there just isn’t a place for an extra diving board, don’t let it go to waste – sell it to another diving club that may be in need of an extra springboard or two. Check around with fellow coaches, or use Facebook or Twitter to get the word out.
Another option is to sell your diving board through Springboards And More, a Duraflex sales representative and online outlet for all things diving related. Springboards And More will list your used board on their site on consignment and expand your market for potential buyers.
6. Firemen & Scrap
Here is a final option that will unfortunately spell the end of road for your Duraflex springboard, but allow you to benefit your local fire department and make a little money in the end.
If your diving board has cracks or is beyond repair, take the board to a local fire department and let them practice cutting the metal (an unfortunate but needed expertise for many departments) into smaller parts.
Now that the diving board is in smaller, more manageable pieces, it's easier to haul for scrap metal! Granted, the money you receive for scrap is not quite what you paid for the springboard, but it's better than nothing!