Tianjin's Diving Uncles

In Tianjin, the Haihe River is not only the mother river of the city but also adds a unique vitality due to a group of special "wave-riders" — they are the elderly diving enthusiasts affectionately called "diving uncles" by netizens. These elders, with an average age of over 60, are writing their own "youth" stories on the banks and diving platforms of the Haihe River with their vigorous figures and fearless courage, becoming a unique urban landscape in Tianjin.

The most concentrated place for Tianjin's diving uncles is undoubtedly Shizilin Bridge in Hongqiao District. This bridge spanning the Haihe River is named after the lifelike lion sculptures on it, and the water-front platform and simple diving platform under the bridge have become the "home court" for the uncles to show their skills. Every morning or evening, as long as the weather permits, many figures can always be seen here: some uncles, wearing swimming trunks, are doing simple warm-up exercises, stretching their legs, expanding their chests, and moving their joints, with meticulous movements; some are chatting with their old friends, sharing their recent physical conditions and diving experiences; others have already stood on the diving platform, took a deep breath, then jumped down, drawing a neat arc in the air, and instantly plunged into the water, splashing a spray, then surfaced with a satisfied smile on their faces. The diving spot of Shizilin Bridge has suitable water depth and stable water flow, and coupled with the safety consensus formed over the years, it has become a "treasure place" in the hearts of the uncles. Many of them have been diving here since they were young, and in a flash, it has been decades. Every stone slab and every step of Shizilin Bridge have witnessed their persistence and love. In addition to Shizilin Bridge, near the bridges on the Haihe River such as Bei'an Bridge and Yongle Bridge, there are often figures of diving uncles. They are like "dynamic factors" scattered on the river bank, filling the quiet Haihe River with laughter.

The diving of Tianjin's diving uncles is far more than a sport, but also contains love for life and challenges to age. Uncle Wang, 72 years old, is a "regular visitor" to Shizilin Bridge. He started diving in his 40s and now jumps five or six times a day. "At first, I just thought it was fun, but later it gradually became a habit. I feel uncomfortable if I don't jump for a day." Uncle Wang said that diving not only exercises his body but also makes him meet a group of like-minded friends. In the process of diving, they take care of each other. If someone's action is not standard enough, they will remind them in time; if someone is slightly unwell, they will take the initiative to care. This tacit understanding and friendship have long surpassed the relationship of simple sports partners. The diving actions of these uncles are varied, including the simple and direct "popsicle jump", the rotating "air twist", and the "forward somersault" imitating professional athletes. Although they have not received professional training, each action shows a sense of earnestness. They do not pursue difficulty, but pay more attention to the comfort and freedom when diving. An uncle specially wore a red headband with "Tianjin welcomes you" written on it on the diving platform. Every time before diving, he would wave to the audience on the bank, just like a "star player", which attracted bursts of cheers from everyone.

In recent years, with the rise of short video platforms, the figures of Tianjin's diving uncles have been seen by more people. Netizens took videos of their diving, with humorous explanations, and soon became popular on the Internet. "These are not uncles, but 'water athletes' who are still strong in old age!" "Tianjin people really have a sense of humor, even diving is so stylish!" In the comment area, netizens praised the uncles for their courage and vitality. Many foreign tourists came to Tianjin and specially went to Shizilin

Bridge just to witness the style of diving uncles in person. They held their mobile phones to record this wonderful moment, and some even couldn't help cheering for the uncles. The diving uncles also enjoyed it. They were not stage-frightened in the face of the camera, and even deliberately performed several of their best actions to interact with the tourists. For a time, Shizilin Bridge became a "Internet celebrity check-in place" in Tianjin, and the diving uncles became the "living business card" of the city, making more people feel the enthusiasm and vitality of Tianjin.

Although diving is full of fun, safety is always the first priority. The uncles have their own "unspoken rules": young people under 18 are not allowed to dive alone, those who are unwell or drunk are absolutely not allowed to enter the water, and the water area must be checked before diving. They also organized themselves to place lifebuoys, floating boards and other equipment on the bank in case of emergency. The relevant local departments have also carried out safety maintenance on the diving area and set up warning signs to remind citizens and tourists to pay attention to safety. For these uncles, diving has long been integrated into their lives and become an inseparable habit. They hope that this healthy and positive lifestyle can be passed on, and they also welcome more people to join in, but the premise is that safety must be paid attention to. "As long as my body allows, I will keep jumping." Uncle Li, 68, said with a smile, and his words showed a firm and optimistic attitude.

Tianjin's diving uncles, in the simplest way, interpret their love for life. On the Haihe River, they jump out the vitality of life, the temperature of the city, and a spirit of not admitting defeat to old age. When the setting sun shines on the Haihe River, the sparkling water reflects their figures jumping into the water. This picture has become one of the most touching scenes in Tianjin.

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