diving in Baltimore/D.C. area

Question
Dear Mr. Trapp
My daughter who is 7 yrs old is very interested in combining gymnastics and her love for water in diving.  She has swam for the last few years competitively, and has done "light" gymnastics and when she realized that diving was an option she has been completely obsessed.  Who would you recommend as the best diving program in the Baltimore/D.C. area?  I contacted US Diving and they recommended potomac valley, montgomery dive club and speaking with dennis cetpa.  Thank you for your thoughts and insight
Sincerely
Karen

Answer
Karen -

The teams/coaches you mentioned in your question all have very good Learn To Dive programs. What I suggest you do is contact them and ask what days/times girls your daughters age take lessons. Drop by the pool and have her watch a practice session. I am sure that each of these teams will let her have a free try out lesson. Do this with all the programs in your area and then ask her which one she liked the best. That will help you decide which one to choose.

Other websites to go to are:

www.aaudiving.org - another source of finding a team/coach.

www.divemeets.com - click on 'Find' and 'Pools'. Also click on 'Teams' and a huge list will come up. Scroll down looking in the 3rd column for teams in MD. Click on the teams name for contact info.

www.diving.about.com - Site that explains the sport. Click on Learn To Dive and read articles to her about lessons so she knows what to expect.

I recommend all the teams in your area. The choice is up to the two of you.