A political twist has been added to Saturday’s diving competition hosted by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.
Candidates Tim Ceplina and Melissa Dunn, who are running for Texas County sheriff, and assessor hopeful Kevin McGowen will each take a turn off the diving board as part of the inaugural event.
Jim Root, parks director, said the candidates would take one jump apiece to support the event.
Jumps will be from both the low and high dives during the 1-3 p.m. event. Categories are best dives, best tricks off the boards and best bellybuster. There are four age categories: 10-and-under; 11-18; 19-49; and 50-and-over.
The first 50 entrants will receive a T-shirt and water bottle. Cost is $4 before the event or $5 the day of the contest.
Four celebrity judges will score each jump off the board. They are Darren Alexander of Spirit FM, Dawn May and Tina Winslow of 107.1 The Point and “The Flash” from Big Country 99.
The cost of swimming will be reduced to $2 for the public that day. Swimmers will be allowed to be in the pool during the competition in all areas outside the deep end for divers.