King County Aquatic Center Diving Program: Details & Beginner Classes

Question
Mr. Trapp,

After reading the Q&A from a Mukilteo mom with a 10-year-old daughter.  I would like to know more about the diving program in the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way as you mentioned in your answer.  My daughter will be 11 in a couple months.  She has had gymnastics for about 3 years and is currently on a competitive team.  So am I looking at beginners diving class?  Could you tell me the details about the program there such as costs, number of days for practice, who to call, etc.?

Thank you.

Answer
Linda -

The Pacific Northwest Diving Team is run by Jim Southerland. He is assisted by Kelly Robertson who is a two time Olympic silver and bronze medalist (1984 & '88), Liz Litsch (high school coach), Coach Laura (novice team) and Coach T.D.(all around coach).The team is on a break right now and will re-start sometime in September (about the 14th). Lesson kids practice two days per week from about 5:30 to 6:30. I do not know the costs except that all divers register with the A.A.U. for a $15(?) annual fee for insurance purposes. The team also runs a lesson program out of a country club on Mercer Island two or three days per week around 6:00 pm. This group is run by Jim's wife, Patti.It is a one meter only program where the Federal Way pool has all the competitive heights which are 1 meter & 3 meter springboards and also the high platforms.New divers mainly stay on the 1 meter. Both program sites have many girls diving that are ex-gymnasts.

Contact Jim at pacificnwdiving@comcast.net. If he does not respond right away it is because he is away at nationals and then goes on vacation. Patti will respond sooner by e-mailing her at
pattisoutherland@hotmail.com. If you mention my name that I referred you to them they will probably respond quicker than other requests for info.

Go to www.aaudiving.org for more info on how to register.

www.usadiving.org - Click on Parents for info on the sport.

www.diving.about.com - Site that explains the sport.

www.flipnrip.com - Site for divers and families.

www.usadiver.com - Articles about diving.

Good luck with the transition to diving.