Adult Diving in WA

Question
Boy  looks like I ran into the perfect site.   Tom you sure know your stuff and live in my area to boot ... smiles

I did diving at Mariner High School I am sure you know the pool.    Graduated in 1991  and moved on over to CWU where I did participate on their team learning the 3 meter to compete but fell away from diving after breaking  my legg on the board.    The mistake I made was not getting emediately back on the board as soon as that cast came off.   

Anyhow sorry to make a simple question so long.    I have for years now been wanting to get back into diving as an adult.   Mostly for recreation but also for  health both mentaly and physicaly.     I want something a bit organized  like a club or group rather then just me and a bunch of kids at an open swim.   I am getting dizzy though calling and searching the web.   I believe the only one is at the King County pool, however have not found any contact info or website on that club.   

Can you work with me in finding what I am looking for or in creating it?   

Thank YOU!

Expect Miracles...
Shane Belceto
Auburn, WA  

Answer
Hi Shane -

When it comes to living in the Seattle area for an adult diver, unfortunately there are not many places to go. I will tell you all I know about what is going on in our sport in the greater Puget Sound Area.

The aquatic facility you mention is the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. It is one of the finest indoor pools in the U.S. The team that trains there is called Pacific Northwest Diving and is coached by Jim Southerland, Kelly Robertson (1984 & 88 Olympian) and Liz Litsch. They practice there Monday through Thursday from about 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Your best bet is drop by there at those times and ask about being able to join their program. They mainly coach kids 18 & under and divers who return for summer training from college that used to compete for them. I do not know if they take adults.

A person you should contact is a guy named Jon Deininger, a masters diver from Redmond. He is very active in USA Masters Diving (adult competitive & recreational diving). Ask him where he practices and maybe you can join him. His e-mail is [email protected] You should also go to the masters diving website: www.mastersdiving.com for more info on adult diving in the U.S.

Try contacting Mike Fahrenbach, the coach for Juanita High School in Kirkland and coach for the the City of Kirkland summer diving program. He uses the indoor high school pool where he is the manager and the Peter Kirk outdoor pool in downtown Kirkland. I am sure he can help you. His e-mail is [email protected]. Tell him I gave you his contact info and I am sure he will send you in the right direction.

The only pools with 3 meters besides the pool in Federal Way are found in downtown Seattle (Queen Anne Pool) and on Bainbridge Island.
The Queen Anne pool is run by Seattle Parks & Rec. Go to their website: www.cityofseattle.net/parks/aquatics/queenannepool.htm for more info. They have a program for all ages that meets on week nights from about 6:00 to 8:00. If you want to go to Bainbridge Island, they have a really nice pool with a team run by Chris Miller. Contact him at [email protected] to see when they practice.

That's all the info I have for you. Good luck in your pursuit of diving once again!!

Tom Trapp