how to get involved?

Question
Hi Tom - I was on the national team in the 80s, and live in Marin County.  I would LOVE to get involved in the sport again - either as a coach or judge.  How can I identify programs in my area?  Thnaks so much!  Jenny

Answer
Hi Jenny -

The problem you are going to face living in Marin County is that it is not known for having any major diving facilities that I know of. I used to live in the Bay Area for many years coaching in Santa Clara County (about 100 miles south of you) where there are many diving wells with four springboards and all platform heights. The closest program I know of to you is found in Santa Rosa. I'll give you the contact info at the end of my answer.

I would start by going to local high schools with pools as this is high school diving season for the next month. You live in the North Coast Section (N.C.S.# of the California Interscholastic Federation #C.I.F.#. Try finding some pools with low boards as I do not think you will find any high boards. Possibly at Marin Community College. They used to have a team but not sure if they still do.I would go by that campus and check out if their diving pool is still available.

Here is where club diving is strong in the Bay Area:

Stanford University in Palo Alto. They have the largest outdoor aquatic center in the US #maybe the world!). There are two diving pools with a total of 9 springboards and 5 platform heights along with 3 tramps and a dryboard. They have an excellent J.O., Senior and Masters team.

Santa Clara Divers - My old team in Santa Clara. They have 5 springboards, 3 platform heights and tramps/dry board.

U.C. Berkeley - New club team there with a new coach who just completed his first college season.

Diablo Divers - Walnut Creek. They have the best J.O. 16-18/senior guy in the U.S. named Kristian Ipsen. This kid is absolutely amazing and will represent the U.S. at this summers World Cup Champs in China.

These are the major teams that are closest to you. They live in areas that have the pools and unfortunately you live in a 'diving pool void'.

As far as judging goes, it is the same as when you were diving, it is done mainly by the coaches. You would have to join USA Diving as an official to be able to judge. If you want to coach club, you will also have to be a USA Diving Safety Certified Coach. You would need to take an online test followed by an in water pool class on rescue skills. Go to www.usadiving.org for more info on all of the above info I have given you.You can find teams by clicking on Clubs, then Find A Club and enter California. A list of teams will come up with contact info.

To find out how to contact the Santa Rosa coach, go to www.mastersdiving.org, on the left hand side of the home page, click on E-mail addresses. Look for a woman named Cari Hogan and send her an e-mail. She will be the one who knows where the pools are in Marin County.

Good luck in your search.