Find a diving club in Washinigton state

Question
I have a twelve year old daughter who wants to quit gymnastics and try some other sports. We live in Lynnwood. Is there a diving club nearby where she can start diving training as a beginner?

Answer
Mia -

I live in Everett so I am very familiar with the area.The problem with Puget Sound for diving is that there are very few pools with water deep enough for competitive equipment. The only facility in the entire state with everything you need for a club team is found in Federal Way at the King County Aquatic Center.The club team there, Pacific Northwest Divers, is run by my good friend Jim Southerland. It is a great program and a world class pool but very far to go. The only time I go there is for meets and I dread the drive because it can take so long.

The closest pool you are going to find lessons is at Forest Park Pool in Everett. Lee Michaud, a national level diver in the 1980's -'90's, gives lessons there a few days per week. The address is 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd. Phone 425-257-8309. You can Google 'City of Everett Parks' to find their webpage for schedule information. To get there you go north on Hiway 5 and take the 41st Ave exit, then go west all the way up the hill to the park on the left.

There is a woman who gives private and semi-private lessons at various pools. She is a high school level coach who lives in Snohomish. Her name is Jolynnne Leitzel. Her e-mail is
[email protected]. Maybe she can help you. I think she even uses Forest Park pool during open swim for lessons and she also coaches the high school teams at that pool.

I wish that the City of Lynnwood's new aquatic facility had a competitive springboard but they only put in a recreational one and offer no lessons. I would have tried to do something there but not with wrong equipment.

Here are some websites to go to to find out more about diving.

www.usadiving.org

www.aaudiving.org

www.diving.about.com

If you really want to go to Federal Way this summer, send a follow up question and I will put you in contact with the team there.

Good luck in your search.