Transition from gymnastics to diving

Question
I have a 3rd year level 9 gymnast that is seriously considering leaving gymnastics because of her knees. I have alot of people tell me platform diving is a fantastic transition sport for former gymnasts. I have no idea where to begin looking for a training facility, camps or coaches. I am located east of Columbus Ohio. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Michelle -

You happen to live near one of the springboard and platform diving capitals in the US. Columbus is one of the most successful areas of USA Diving. There is an excellent program at a world class diving facility located on the campus of Ohio State.It is overseen by a multiple time Olympic coach, Vince Panzanno. He has a great age group coach that runs the US Elite Diving Team. Just go to www.usadiving.org, click on Clubs and then Find A Club, enter OH and a list of teams will come up. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find contact info.

Yes, gymnasts make the transition to platform diving easier that non gymnastic type students. This is because the platform does not bend so it is somewhat similar to the floor event. The thing you have to realize is that when you are new to diving, everyone starts on springboard to learn fundamental skills on the one meter. You then graduate to the three meter event.One of the biggest transitions is being able to go headfirst which is foreign to a gymnast, especially going backwards. You need to figure this out at lower levels before going to the higher ones. Some gymnasts take to platform quite readily and some do not. There have been many great gymnasts your daughters level who switch to diving but decide to be a springboard diver. Then there are some that choose to specialize in platform but still dive springboard. This is because they want to transition to a college scholarship where 90% of the events are held on springboard.Diving is a swimming event in high school and college so your job as a diver is to score points for your team. She may like platform. You will find out when she gets up there and looks down!. You have to like to be up high and get a thrill from going off it.Some do, some don't.

Here are some other websites about diving to check out:

www.diving.about.com - Site that explains the sport.

www.flipnrip.com - Site for divers and parents.

www.aaudiving.org - Other national governing body.

www.laurawilkinson.com -Site of out most successful female US diver.

www.divemeets.com - If she likes to compete, you will be going to this site a lot.

www.usadiver.com - Articles about diving.

Good luck with this transition to a great sport. Most of this sport is comprised of females and most of them are ex-gymnasts. She should take to it well.