switching from gymnastics into diving

Question
Hi Tom,
our daughter is 14 and has done gymnastics for the last 10 years, now she is kind of burned out from training 24 hrs per week and wants to look into diving. We just moved to Danville, CA 94526 and are wondering if you know any good clubs for diving in the area? Thank you very much

Answer
Karin -

The best and really only place to take your daughter is to a pool in Walnut Creek not too far from Dublin. The Clarke Memorial Pool is located in Heather Farms Park. At this pool there is a USA Diving Club called the Diablo Divers. It is coached by a friend of mine named Phil Tonne. He is the former coach at California (Berkeley) and is now the coach at U.C. Davis.He has been running this team since the early 1980's.

The Diablo Divers are a rather small team but are very successful. He has the number one male junior diver in the U.S. (Kristen Ipsen) who was last year's Junior Olympic world champion. This will be a great opportunity for your daughter to train with someone who should be a future Olympian.

Take Hiway 680 north and when you get to the big interchange with Hiway 24, stay to the right and continue on 680 to Walnut Creek. Take the Ygnacio Valley Rd exit and turn right. Follow this road past downtown Walnut Creek and into the foothills. The park/pool is on your left. Turn left on San Carlos and you will be in the park. Park in the lot on your left.

I would go there on a weekday after school as that is when they practice. I do not have his current contact number or e-mail but you may find it on the U.C. Davis Athletic Department website.You could also try the City of Walnut Creek's Park & Rec Dept website.When you meet him, tell him I referred you and I am sure he will take her into his program.

Good luck with the transition to diving. This sport is mostly girls and most of them are ex-gymnasts so I am sure she will adapt just fine.

Tom Trapp