Getting Started with Adult Diving on a Budget

Question
Hi ~ I'm a New York City resident hoping to get involved with adult diving. I have never taken diving classes, but my swimming skills are pretty solid, and I dive for fun. I also have experience as a gymnast. I抦 wondering if you can recommend adult beginner classes/groups for a minimal or reasonable fee in the NYC area (ideally, in one of the five boroughs). I抎 love to get involved with a group of other adult beginners, and/or take classes. (I抦 going to assume a private coach wouldn抰 fit my sadly limited budget.) Basically, what are your thoughts on how someone with no real prior experience can start diving in her mid-20抯 in the NYC area? Appreciate any help!

Answer
Rachel -

There are several places for you to try diving in the NYC area. I do not know the costs so you will just have to visit the teams/pools to find out.It does not matter that you do not have any experience, especially since you have a gymnastics background. Adults with acrobatic ability learn diving faster than those that do not.

What you want to look for is a program that has Masters diving classes. Masters is a term for adult recreational competitive diving. The term Masters has nothing to do with ability so do think you have to be an accomplished diver to join.

Here are some websites to go to to find a program:

www.usadiving.org - Click on 'Join USA Diving' and then click on 'Find A Club'. Enter NY and a list of teams will come up.Contact the ones closest to you and ask about Masters Diving.

www.mastersdiving.org - Click on 'Our Divers'. A list of adults from all over the US will come up. It will be time consuming but keep scrolling down looking for divers who live in NYC. Send them an e-mail and ask where it is that they train. That way you can start to practice with other adults who are more experienced and can help you learn.

www.diving.about.com - Enter 'Masters Diving' in the search box and a list of articles will come up that will help you understand what you are getting into.Also enter 'Lessons' to gather more information about what to expect.Navigate the rest of the site to find out what the sport of diving is about as it has excellent explanations on learning diving.

Good luck. I am sure you will find something you like.