am i too old?

Question
Kassidy Cook and Tom Daley have never seized to amaze me with their diving. I always wanted to do diving but never did. Now that I have more time and willing to dive and practice as long as it takes... am i too old? I'm currently 17 and going to be a senior.I've played tennis, basketball, and track (pole vaulting. I've done the research and noticed i have till 18..am i too late? if not where is a good diving center for me to start?

Answer
Danielle -

Since the Olympics started, I have been getting an unprecedented number of questions like yours from high school age girls. I have been answering them basically the same way - you are not too old to start but do not wait any longer!You have to start now and dedicate the next 12 months to diving on a regular basis if you want any chance at all to 'walk on' a collegiate diving program and try and make the team. Once you graduate from high school, college diving is going to be about your only choice to continue in the sport.

In New Jersey, there is a very good national level team called the Jersey Devils. They are in the Cherry Hill area. You can find their contact info by going to www.usadiving.org, click on Join USA Diving and then Find A Club. Enter NJ and two teams will come up. If you live closer to NYC, enter NY and maybe there are teams closer to you in in that state.

Other diving websites to check out:

www.aaudiving.org - another source to find a coach/team.

www.divemeets.com - click on Find and then teams or coaches. On the team page a huge list will come up. Keep scrolling down the page looking under the states column. When you get to NJ or NY, click on the teams name for contact info.

www.diving.about.com - site that explains the sport. Enter 'lessons' in the search box and read some articles so you know what to expect.

You may not be able to start until September as this is the time of year for National Championships, then teams take a break until school starts. Contact teams anyway and see how soon you can join. Good luck.