Diving... The ultimate board game. 

The modern competitive diving board as we know it today traces back to Ray Rude, a mechanical engineer and inventor from Colorado. In the 1940s, Rude revolutionized diving by designing a flexible diving board made from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, which was a major leap from the traditional wooden planks used at the time.

Rude’s company, Duraflex International, introduced the Maxiflex board, which quickly became the global standard for competitive diving. The board's durability, consistent flex, and adjustable fulcrum gave divers unmatched control, safety, and height, changing the sport forever. By the 1960s, Duraflex boards were being used at major national and international competitions, and today, every Olympic Games and major international event uses Duraflex equipment.

Types of Diving Boards

Competitive Boards

• Made of aerospace-grade aluminum

• Have a precisely engineered tapered shape for consistent flex

• Mounted on a rigid stand with an adjustable fulcrum that allows divers to fine-tune bounce

• Used on 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events globally

Example: Duraflex Maxiflex Model B (the board used at every Olympics since 1960)

Non-Competitive Boards (Training/Practice)

• Similar materials but sometimes with less flex or fixed fulcrum settings

• Often paired with dryland or short-depth training environments

• Used by club teams, schools, or age-group programs
  
  

Recreational Boards

• Typically shorter, with less spring and no adjustable fulcrum

• Prioritize safety and general use over performance

• Found at public pools and homes, not suitable for advanced dive training
  
  

Ray Rude’s innovation didn’t just improve equipment, it shaped the trajectory of the sport. The introduction of the aluminum board allowed for the rise of complex twisting and flipping dives, making the athletic and technical evolution of diving possible.

The Duraflex Maxiflex Model B is the standard competitive diving board used in every Olympic Games, World Championship, and NCAA meet. It’s engineered for maximum flex, consistent rebound, and athlete safety, with precision manufacturing down to the millimeter.

Dimensions

• Length: 16 feet (4.88 meters)

• Width: 19.625 inches (49.85 cm)

• Thickness (tapered): 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) at the mounting end, narrowing to 0.625 inches (1.59 cm) at the tip

• Weight: ~125 lbs (57 kg)

• Material: One solid piece of extruded aircraft-grade aluminum, heat-treated for strength and durability

The tapered design allows for optimal flex and whip toward the end of the board while maintaining rigidity at the base.

Parts

1. Top Surface

• Material: Coated with a textured, slip-resistant epoxy resin and silica

• Function: Provides grip for bare feet, even when wet

• Color is typically aqua green, though custom colors may exist for training boards.
  
  

2. Ribs (Underside Reinforcement)

• The underside contains multiple longitudinal ribs cast into the aluminum

• Function: Controls the distribution of stress and flex across the board

• Prevents twisting and structural fatigue
  
  

3. Fulcrum

• Located on the stand, not the board itself, but critical to board function

• An adjustable wheel or slider that changes where the board bends (Further from tip = more flex)

• Divers and coaches adjust this depending on weight, skill level, and event type
  
  

4. Hinge End (Mounting End)

• The thicker end of the board, secured to a hinge assembly on a Duraflex or short stand

• Must be mounted with precise torque settings and special hardware

• Allows safe pivoting and distributes energy to the fulcrum zone
  
  

5. Tip (Free End)

• The narrow, spring-loaded end of the board

• Maximum flex and speed occur here

• Divers initiate vertical lift from this point during their hurdle and takeoff

Installation Requirements

To function as designed, Duraflex boards must be:

• Mounted on official Durafirm stands (adjustable fulcrum track, rigid steel base)

• Installed over approved water depths (11.5 ft or deeper for 1m boards, 12.5+ ft for 3m)

• Maintained with routine inspections for wear, grip surface condition, and bolt integrity
  
  

Every millimeter of the Maxiflex Model B is tuned for explosiveness, safety, and consistency. The engineered flex profile allows divers to generate powerful lift with controlled timing: critical for high-difficulty dives involving multiple somersaults and twists.