Getting back on the board 15yrs after highschool

Question
Hi Tom, I was a state-level diver in highschool, but that was back in '98. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get back on the board. Mostly I want to stay in shape and reconnect with my love for diving, but I might even want to compete. I'm in pretty good shape, but I've probably lost all my 'touch' on the board - I'm not worried about this, I think I'd get it back really quickly. I live in downtown Chicago so I know there are clubs, pools, and boards nearby, but I'm not sure where to start. I've reached out to Windy City Diving, a local club - is this the best place to start?

Also, is joining a club the only way I can get back on the board, or could there be advanced diving lessons being offered somewhere nearby - UIC maybe? I've looked but haven't had much luck.

What about open diving? What are the chances (given the risks involved) of finding a springboard that I can visit whenever I feel like? Not sure how much you know about Chicago in particular, but any advice/guidance would be much appreciate!

-Chetan

Answer
Chetan -

I feel that for what you want to do, joining a club team like Windy City Diving would be the best. I do not think you are going to find advanced diving lessons as those are usually for little kids and diving with that age group is not going to help you get back to where you want to be. You might also look into contacting the coach at Northwestern University, Alic Sarkisian, to see if he has something to offer you.

I do not think diving at an open pool session is the way to go. very often, the lifeguards to do not allow inward or reverse dives and sometimes they lock the fulcrum setting at '1' so you would have to dive on a tight board.

You should go to this website: mastersdiving.org. You need to find adults in Chicago who are trying to do the same thing as you because if you want to compete, masters meets are the way to go.At this site, click on 'Join' and fill out the questionnaire.Also click on 'Our Divers' so you can gain access to their e-mail address page. Look at this page for divers who live in Chicago and contact them to see where they practice. Finally, click on 'Message Board' to ask where adult divers dive in Chicago.

If you want to get back into going to meets, you will need to learn to use this website:
divemeets.com. All club meets are run through their system No more filling out sheets at a meet. It is all done online. Registration is free. Click on Meets and then Past Results. Looks for Masters Meets and click on Results. Find your age group and click on an event. Then click on any divers score and a list of dives will come up that they used in competition. This will give you an idea of what people your age are doing in meets.

Good luck. I am sure you will find something you like.