Diving Facilities

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tom

Can you recommend few facilities and instructors in the Los Angeles area for beginners/adults?


ANSWER: Dennis-

You happen to live in an area of the country that has one of the largest diving communities in the US. There are major programs all over Southern California in such places as U.S.C. and the Rose Bowl Pool in Pasadena. UCLA just opened a brand new aquatic facility and to the south, the Mission Viejo Nadadores is one of the most successful teams ever. Just go to www.usadiving.org, click on Clubs and then Find A Club, enter CA and a list of teams will come up. Look for ones closest to you and ask about their programs.

When it comes to diving for adults, it is called Masters Diving, a term for adult recreational competitive diving. It is for all levels of adults regardless of previous experience. Go to www.mastersdiving.org. click on e-mail addresses and look for people who live near you. You can contact them to see where it is that they dive.

Other diving websites include:

www.diving.about.com

www.flipnrip.com - Huge list of teams at this site

www.aaudiving.org

www.usadiver.com

www.divemeets.com - another site with a large list of teams.

Good luck in your search.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Tom

That's awesome! Unfortunately, I couldnt find any program at UCLA. I just started at the Rose Bowl but the class meets only 3 times (2 actually, cause I can't go to one of the classes) a week and I would like to do more --

What do you recommend as far as exercizes to keep working/improve your flexibility? Is there some specific exercize that you can do  while sitting at yr desk etc.? or just regular stretching? And more in general, a different discipline that you can do on the side that can benefit diving?  Thanks  

Answer
Dennis-

Here is what divers do to cross train:

Stretching is vital to be able to get through practices without straining or pulling a muscle. I suggest you enroll in a yoga class or a basic stretching class offered by a local park & rec dept.

Abdominal strength is also important so you do not hurt your lower back. Pilates classes are great for developing core body strength. There are also diving sport specific sit-ups to do that I am sure the coaches at the Rose Bowl Team can show you.

Gymnastic and tumbling ability also helps but I think it will be hard to find a class for adults. Ask fellow adult divers if they know of a place that offers gymnastics for adults.

Divers train on trampolines and "Dry Boards" that have a rope and pulley system where the diver wears a safety belt and the coach holds them up to be able to learn somersaulting dives without getting hurt.I am sure that they have this equipment at the pool.

Go to the USA Diving website I mentioned and click on Store and then Educational Materials. There you will find all kinds of DVD's, videos, books, cd roms and other materials about how to dive and train.

Go to www.laurawilkinson.com. She is our most successful Olympic female diver and has a great DVD on conditioning for divers.

www.springboardsandmore.com - Search for a competitive diving book by Hobie Billingsley.

Lots of informational diving videos on YouTube. Look for ones by Indiana Diving Coach Jeff Huber.

I do not know of an exercise you can do at your desk - sorry.

Good luck with your new team.