Combining Passions
Hi! I’m Ginni van Katwijk—professional high diver, Dutchie-turned-world-traveler, and the hands (usually covered in dye) behind To-Die-For Shammies.
What started over a decade ago as a tie-dye experiment in my tiny garage apartment in Houston has grown into a colorful corner of the diving world. I set out to create the most unique, vibrant, and durable tie dye shammies / chamois out there—and the journey has been just as wild as some of my dives.
I competed internationally for the Netherlands at European Championships, and World Championships, and as a Division I athlete at NCAA's. Even after “retiring” from springboard and platform diving, I stayed in the water—because let’s be honest, I was never leaving.
Over the years, I performed as a high diver on Royal Caribbean cruise ships and was part of the legendary House of Dancing Water show in Macau. Life has been a blend of adrenaline, artistry, and LOTS of shammies.
Fast forward to today: I’m now a permanent diver on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Tour, leaping from iconic locations around the globe while still creating custom shammies for divers who love a little style (and function!) as much as I do.
Photo credit: Romina Amato
Bottom picture:Gettyimages
Shammy what?
Shammys/Chamois are like little towels, but not your big cotton, bulky towels generally used after a shower. Shammys are made of rayon PVA material and hold up to 10 times their weight in liquid and quickly dry you off again after being wrung out.
Why To Die For Shammies?
As former National Team Member, NCAA diver and current High Diver I know
first-hand how important it is to have a good quality shammy. Knowing this I have put much time and effort into creating the perfect recipe and dyeing process to create the most vibrant and long lasting colors.
Fun Fact.
The origin of the shammy/ chamois dates back to the early 1960's when they were made of chamois skin. A chamois is an animal that looks similar to a goat. But don't worry, today they are made out of synthetic materials- and no goats are harmed in the Tie Dyeing process.