SOUTHAMPTON Academy divers, Natalie Hill and Robert Appleby struck gold in South Africa.

The two were part of a 13-strong south coast contingent who spent 18 days on a training camp, which culminated in competing at the South African National Intermediate Championships.

The team came away with six gold medals, five silver, three bronze and 13 healthy suntans!

Hill and Appleby each won two gold medals for one metre and three metre junior springboard events. Hill said: "We've had a great time out here and I was really pleased to manage to win both gold medals."

The group spent the first of the two weeks training in Durban, then moved to Pretoria to prepare for the competition. They gained valuable experience in diving outdoors, which according to director of coaching, Lindsey Fraser, is essential if they are to be prepared for international competition at a high level, since most top international events take place in outdoor pools.

Fraser said: "It is vital that our youngsters have these opportunities if they are to be properly prepared for top level competition," she explained.

Other competition results:

1m springboard - senior men: 1 Gary Hunt,

junior boys: 1 Robert Appleby, 2 Ciaran O'Reilly, 3 Patrick O'Reilly, 4 Luke De Ste Croix, 6 Steve Appleby, 9 Jack Clewlow,

girls: 1 Natalie Hill, 2 Anna Bennett-Britton, 8 Maxine Harle, 17 Emily Alderman, 18 Ellie Steel.

3m springboard - senior men: 2 Gary Hunt, senior ladies: 1 Charly Tomkys, junior boys: 1 Robert Appleby, 2 Ciaran O'Reilly, 3 Patrick O'Reilly, 4 Luke De Ste Croix, 5 Steve Appleby, 7 Jack Clewlow, girls: 1 Natalie Hill, 2 Maxine Harle, 3 Anna Bennett-Britton, 11 Emily Alderman, 15 Ellie Steel.