diving try-out for a gymnast boy

Question
Hi Tom,

my soon to be 11 year old level 6 gymnast boy wants to check out diving. We wive in west LA and I can't find a single diving team here where we live on https://webpoint.usadiving.org/website/search/srchclubs.asp. Is there nothing in LA? Seems highly unlikely. We do not want recreational but competitive.

Liana

Answer
Liana -

You live in one of the most successful areas of the country for competitive club diving so I do not know why your search has failed. At www.usadiving.org, click on Join USA Diving and then 'Find A Club'. Enter CA and a list of teams will come up with contact info. Look for these teams:

www.bruindiveteam.com - Run by the UCLA coach at the pool on campus.

www.trojandive.com - Run by the USC coach at the pool on campus.

www.rosebowlaquatics.com - A little further to go but an excellent age group program in Pasadena.

I would look into these programs this week as lesson programs can fill up fast in the summer. You should take your son to each facility and have him watch a practice session. Very often a free trial lesson is offered to see how he likes it.

Go to www.diving.about.com and in the search box enter lessons or Learn To Dive and have him read some articles so he knows what to expect.

Good luck in your search. I am sure you will find something he likes. Diving is very strong in LA with all excellent national level coaches.