Learning to dive professionally

Question
Hi Tom,
 I am interested in springboard and platform diving and would like to learn this sport. I am 14 years old and have a slight gymnastics background, but after an injury at 11 never had a chance to learn to tumble. But now I am perfectly recovered and would like to start competing in this sport. How long would it take to learn? When could I start competing professionally? Is there any chance of going to the Olympics in 2012 or 2016?

Thank You
Sarah

Answer
Sarah -

In answer to your questions, I will explain how the sport works for girls your age:

You have two choices - learn to dive at the high school you will or are attending or join a club team and start off in their lesson program. The length of time it will take to learn varies upon these factors: the type of program you join, how often you practice, what type of equipment they have, the experience level of the coach and how well you pick up the fundamentals of the sport. Diving will test your patience and level of courage so be prepared for that.

Club diving is divided into lesson, novice, intermediate and junior olympic competitive levels. You dive by age group and yours is the 14-15. The next one is 16-18 and after that it is called senior diving or college diving.

The only real professional divers are elite level athletes who, after completing collegiate diving, hire an agent and get paid based on how well they compete at international events. This is a very small number of divers (only about 1%) so most divers never reach this level. There are divers who go on to perform is shows (high dive shows at county fairs) but the best ones try out for the Cirque Du Soleil.Another very difficult level to reach.

As far as the Olympics go, this is another very small percentage of divers who reach this level. Ask your eventual coach if he or she thinks you can reach this goal.

Websites to go to about diving are:

www.usadiving.org - Navigate your way to "Find A Club"
www.usadiver.com -  Articles about diving
www.aausports.org - Another place to find a team
www.flipnrip.com -  Website for divers and parents
www.divemeets.com - Website about diving meets

Good luck with your pursuit of this great sport.

Tom Trapp