FAQ
LA Dive Team
Frequently Asked Questions
On this page you will find answers to many of the most common questions LA Dive Club receives. If you don't find the answer to your question here, contact us at bruindiving@yahoo.com
Q1. Can we make up a missed class?
Answer: Typically we do not offer make up practices for missed classes. If it is a special circumstance please contact us at bruindiving@yahoo.com
Q2. It's a holiday. Is practice cancelled?
Answer: Changes in scheduling are communicated in advance. Typically on long weekends, we will cancel Sunday training, but offer a Monday night class.
Q3. What does my child need to be able to do to start diving?
Answer: The key pre-requisites for any of our classes are: ability to swim comfortably in deep water, ability to dive in head first from the side of the pool, and a willingness to try new things.
Q4. Can parents be on the pool deck?
Answer: Unfortunately our insurance policy prohibits us from allowing parents on the deck. The only exception is for parents working as volunteers during special events.
Q5. How do I get info on schedule changes, event announcements, program updates and news?
Answer: If you are actively registered, you will receive an email as announcements arise.
Q6. The weather is terrible. Is practice cancelled?
Answer: We try to meet regardless of weather. If facilities are shut down for extreme weather, we will try to find alternate training to do on-site. If that is unavailable, cancellations will be communicated as early as possible.
Q7. My kid is so scared of a dive that he doesn't want to go to practice. What do I do?
Answer: The fear in diving is real. Smacking or crashing on the water is not fun. It can hurt, and the possibility of having another incident can be anxiety-producing. If you find your diver stressed out, please drop your coach(es) a note. It's a great help to us to know these things, and most times we can work with parents and children to solve these issues if we know about it early on.
Q8. What should we bring to practice?
Answer: Bring a swim suit, a dry towel, hair ties if you have long hair. Many divers use a small towel called a sammy to dry off.
Q9. I have a question. Who do I contact?
Answer: First, have a look at the questions and answers on this FAQ page. If you don't find the answer here or elsewhere on the LA Dive Club web site, send us an e-mail at bruindiving@yahoo.com
Q10. What can parents do at home to help kids improve more quickly?
Answer: The best parent athlete relationships are based on unconditional support. Let the coach motivate and discuss technique. Don't punish poor performance. Let the athlete dictate how much "homework" they want to do. If it's coming from the kid, that's a good sign. Please show them how 'to start their engine' each day.
Many kids work on flexibility and conditioning at home. Some even search Youtube for diving videos to study. Just make sure that you are being a parent and not a coach. Mixing those two roles can be problematic.
Q11. Which class should I choose?
Answer: For kids who would benefit from a shorter class (90 minutes) we recommend our Lessons group. These classes are appropriate for absolute beginners, most kids under 10.
A small number of divers will be invited to participate in our invitation-only programs, such as JO Team. Invitations are extended by the Head Club Coach only after consultation with the Program Director and the assistant coaching staff. If you believe your child ought to be considered for an invitation-only program, you may contact the Head Club Coach and request an evaluation. Kids who have been active at a high level in sports such as ballet, gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling are generally good candidates for these programs. We generally are looking for divers age 12 and over for these programs, but we do make exceptions on occasion.
Q12. How many days per week should we be diving?
Answer: You can take a few or as many classes per week as you like.
The Lessons Group is an designed to be purely introductory and no competition will happen for this group.
The Futures Program will be the place our rising lesson team members and older newbies may get started. Competition is generally not scheduled for this group either.
Our JO Team is our college prep group. We are working to help these athletes understand the rigors of training and competing at the next level. We expect these athletes to train daily and compete based on the program's schedule.
Answer: Typically we do not offer make up practices for missed classes. If it is a special circumstance please contact us at bruindiving@yahoo.com
Q2. It's a holiday. Is practice cancelled?
Answer: Changes in scheduling are communicated in advance. Typically on long weekends, we will cancel Sunday training, but offer a Monday night class.
Q3. What does my child need to be able to do to start diving?
Answer: The key pre-requisites for any of our classes are: ability to swim comfortably in deep water, ability to dive in head first from the side of the pool, and a willingness to try new things.
Q4. Can parents be on the pool deck?
Answer: Unfortunately our insurance policy prohibits us from allowing parents on the deck. The only exception is for parents working as volunteers during special events.
Q5. How do I get info on schedule changes, event announcements, program updates and news?
Answer: If you are actively registered, you will receive an email as announcements arise.
Q6. The weather is terrible. Is practice cancelled?
Answer: We try to meet regardless of weather. If facilities are shut down for extreme weather, we will try to find alternate training to do on-site. If that is unavailable, cancellations will be communicated as early as possible.
Q7. My kid is so scared of a dive that he doesn't want to go to practice. What do I do?
Answer: The fear in diving is real. Smacking or crashing on the water is not fun. It can hurt, and the possibility of having another incident can be anxiety-producing. If you find your diver stressed out, please drop your coach(es) a note. It's a great help to us to know these things, and most times we can work with parents and children to solve these issues if we know about it early on.
Q8. What should we bring to practice?
Answer: Bring a swim suit, a dry towel, hair ties if you have long hair. Many divers use a small towel called a sammy to dry off.
Q9. I have a question. Who do I contact?
Answer: First, have a look at the questions and answers on this FAQ page. If you don't find the answer here or elsewhere on the LA Dive Club web site, send us an e-mail at bruindiving@yahoo.com
Q10. What can parents do at home to help kids improve more quickly?
Answer: The best parent athlete relationships are based on unconditional support. Let the coach motivate and discuss technique. Don't punish poor performance. Let the athlete dictate how much "homework" they want to do. If it's coming from the kid, that's a good sign. Please show them how 'to start their engine' each day.
Many kids work on flexibility and conditioning at home. Some even search Youtube for diving videos to study. Just make sure that you are being a parent and not a coach. Mixing those two roles can be problematic.
Q11. Which class should I choose?
Answer: For kids who would benefit from a shorter class (90 minutes) we recommend our Lessons group. These classes are appropriate for absolute beginners, most kids under 10.
A small number of divers will be invited to participate in our invitation-only programs, such as JO Team. Invitations are extended by the Head Club Coach only after consultation with the Program Director and the assistant coaching staff. If you believe your child ought to be considered for an invitation-only program, you may contact the Head Club Coach and request an evaluation. Kids who have been active at a high level in sports such as ballet, gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling are generally good candidates for these programs. We generally are looking for divers age 12 and over for these programs, but we do make exceptions on occasion.
Q12. How many days per week should we be diving?
Answer: You can take a few or as many classes per week as you like.
The Lessons Group is an designed to be purely introductory and no competition will happen for this group.
The Futures Program will be the place our rising lesson team members and older newbies may get started. Competition is generally not scheduled for this group either.
Our JO Team is our college prep group. We are working to help these athletes understand the rigors of training and competing at the next level. We expect these athletes to train daily and compete based on the program's schedule.
Lessons Classes Questions
Looking for more information about LA Dive Club Sunday Lessons and Futures Team? See below for details.
Q1. What skills will be taught in Lesson Classes?
Answer: Lesson team members will spend 90mins per week working at learning flexibility, strength and the mechanical movements that are required to be successful water athletes. There will be about 30mins of stretching and movement work, followed by water programming, where athletes will be developed into achieving new skills.
Lesson athletes begin each session by learning and/or perfecting front and back jumps standing and with arm-swing from one-meter and three meter springboard as well as platform when appropriate. Basic skills also include four-step front approach on springboards, and forward entry, and backward entry from 1m, and 3m as appropriate. Once the basic skills are learned/refined, divers learn basic dives (front) in tuck position. All skills are presented as developmentally appropriate depending upon skill and willingness of participants.
Q2. My kid is doing nothing but front jumps, back jumps and fall-in dives - What gives?
Answer: In order to safely enjoy the sport of diving, certain fundamental skills must be taught to beginning divers. Even as those divers improve and excel, they continue to revisit and refine these basic skills. Jumps and basic entries are critical to learning more complex skills, and every diver must demonstrate competence in this area before they can move on to more advanced skills. The better you learn your jumps and entries, the better those harder dives will be later!
Q3. My child wants to be on the JO Team. How do we get promoted?
Answer: The coaching staff is continually monitoring all groups to identify candidates for these teams. If your child is interested in consideration, feel free to share that with our staff. See the FAQ on Invitation Only Programs for more information.
Q4. Do kids in the Sunday Lesson or Bruin Bouncer programs have to have a team suit?
Answer: We do not require outfitting for any of the lesson team members. There will be team gear availability, once our year begins. Stay tuned for that information.
Looking for more information about LA Dive Club Sunday Lessons and Futures Team? See below for details.
Q1. What skills will be taught in Lesson Classes?
Answer: Lesson team members will spend 90mins per week working at learning flexibility, strength and the mechanical movements that are required to be successful water athletes. There will be about 30mins of stretching and movement work, followed by water programming, where athletes will be developed into achieving new skills.
Lesson athletes begin each session by learning and/or perfecting front and back jumps standing and with arm-swing from one-meter and three meter springboard as well as platform when appropriate. Basic skills also include four-step front approach on springboards, and forward entry, and backward entry from 1m, and 3m as appropriate. Once the basic skills are learned/refined, divers learn basic dives (front) in tuck position. All skills are presented as developmentally appropriate depending upon skill and willingness of participants.
Q2. My kid is doing nothing but front jumps, back jumps and fall-in dives - What gives?
Answer: In order to safely enjoy the sport of diving, certain fundamental skills must be taught to beginning divers. Even as those divers improve and excel, they continue to revisit and refine these basic skills. Jumps and basic entries are critical to learning more complex skills, and every diver must demonstrate competence in this area before they can move on to more advanced skills. The better you learn your jumps and entries, the better those harder dives will be later!
Q3. My child wants to be on the JO Team. How do we get promoted?
Answer: The coaching staff is continually monitoring all groups to identify candidates for these teams. If your child is interested in consideration, feel free to share that with our staff. See the FAQ on Invitation Only Programs for more information.
Q4. Do kids in the Sunday Lesson or Bruin Bouncer programs have to have a team suit?
Answer: We do not require outfitting for any of the lesson team members. There will be team gear availability, once our year begins. Stay tuned for that information.
Junior Olympic Team Programs -
For divers who show extraordinary commitment and ability, the JO Competitive Team represents LA Dive Club at USA Diving competitions around the country preparing athletes for the rigors of training at a national level in the USAD circuit trying to qualify for international competitions and get ready be recruited to college.
Q1. Will I have to dive 3-meter and platform?
Answer: Unless you have a documented medical condition that prohibits you from diving on platform, members of our JO Team are expected to learn competitive lists on 3-meter and platform. We will, however, take each diver at his or her own pace. We will not allow divers to perform a skill if they do not consistently demonstrate safe technique.
Q2. How much are parents expected to volunteer?
Answer: We may host a few competitions a year. These events are critical as they help to pay for coach travel, new equipment and insurance expenses. Hosting a meet is a large undertaking, and it requires the coordinated efforts of all LA Dive Club families. Parents of National Team and Futures Team divers are expected to donate a few hours each day of the meet. If you won’t be in town, please sign up for a job that can be done before the meet. The benefit for you is this allows us to keep training and travel fees down and keep an amazing group of coaches on staff.
Q3. How much travel will we do?
Answer: We typically offer a travel meet each month from December through August. Summers can be intense when you reach higher levels, but just about everything ends by the first week of August. Divers, coaches and parents rest from mid-August until after labor day.
Q4. Do we have to buy the team outfitting?
Answer: We ask that every member of our Competitive Teams to purchase a suit, but backpack, and team sweats are optional. Divers attending meets are required to wear team outfitting on the award stand. Please see our incrediblble partner, The Swim Guy for stuff. Also, remember that Arena is our official team outfitter and you are expected to compete and show off that Arena gear at all meets.
Q6. My kid is stressed out. What can we do to avoid burn out?
Answer: Keep your coach in the loop when outside stressors or diving itself is wearing on your diver. Small adjustments to our workouts or conversations between coach and athlete can work wonders. Keeping the lines of communication open is key to a healthy coach-diver relationship.
Q7. How do we get invited to these programs?
Answer: A very small percentage of LA Dive Club members will be considered for the Competitive Team. All LA Dive Club coaches are continually monitoring our Lessons and Futures Team to identify potential candidates. Generally speaking, we are looking for young, highly motivated athletes. We value work-ethic, training habits and attitude as much as we value natural ability. If we have multiple openings in our JO Team, we may elect to hold a formal tryout. On occasion we have athletes from other acrobatic sports such as trampoline, tumbling or gymnastics contact us seeking to switch over to competitive diving. In these cases we conduct personal interviews and talent identifications to determine if it would be appropriate to place these divers in our highest level programs.
Q8. We just joined the Competitive Team. What have we gotten ourselves into?
Answer: This is a USA Diving Junior Olympic program. There are several thousand kids around the US that participate in USA Diving training and competitions on the one-meter, 3-meter and platform. LA Dive Club is considered one of the top programs in the US to train for competitive success. In this arena, exceptional divers may win the right to compete internationally, or compete on the Senior level vying for a spot in the Olympic Trials. The majority of LADC Team Members graduate and go on to compete as divers in the NCAA.
Our season runs from early September through early August – this is a year round program. Our peak competitive seasons are March-April and July-August. In April we compete at a Regional Meet where divers can qualify for the Zone Championships. The Zone Championships takes place in June. Divers at the Zone meet can qualify to the Junior Nationals. Our ultimate competitive goal as a team is to be a top 10 team at the Junior National Meet in August.
For divers who show extraordinary commitment and ability, the JO Competitive Team represents LA Dive Club at USA Diving competitions around the country preparing athletes for the rigors of training at a national level in the USAD circuit trying to qualify for international competitions and get ready be recruited to college.
Q1. Will I have to dive 3-meter and platform?
Answer: Unless you have a documented medical condition that prohibits you from diving on platform, members of our JO Team are expected to learn competitive lists on 3-meter and platform. We will, however, take each diver at his or her own pace. We will not allow divers to perform a skill if they do not consistently demonstrate safe technique.
Q2. How much are parents expected to volunteer?
Answer: We may host a few competitions a year. These events are critical as they help to pay for coach travel, new equipment and insurance expenses. Hosting a meet is a large undertaking, and it requires the coordinated efforts of all LA Dive Club families. Parents of National Team and Futures Team divers are expected to donate a few hours each day of the meet. If you won’t be in town, please sign up for a job that can be done before the meet. The benefit for you is this allows us to keep training and travel fees down and keep an amazing group of coaches on staff.
Q3. How much travel will we do?
Answer: We typically offer a travel meet each month from December through August. Summers can be intense when you reach higher levels, but just about everything ends by the first week of August. Divers, coaches and parents rest from mid-August until after labor day.
Q4. Do we have to buy the team outfitting?
Answer: We ask that every member of our Competitive Teams to purchase a suit, but backpack, and team sweats are optional. Divers attending meets are required to wear team outfitting on the award stand. Please see our incrediblble partner, The Swim Guy for stuff. Also, remember that Arena is our official team outfitter and you are expected to compete and show off that Arena gear at all meets.
Q6. My kid is stressed out. What can we do to avoid burn out?
Answer: Keep your coach in the loop when outside stressors or diving itself is wearing on your diver. Small adjustments to our workouts or conversations between coach and athlete can work wonders. Keeping the lines of communication open is key to a healthy coach-diver relationship.
Q7. How do we get invited to these programs?
Answer: A very small percentage of LA Dive Club members will be considered for the Competitive Team. All LA Dive Club coaches are continually monitoring our Lessons and Futures Team to identify potential candidates. Generally speaking, we are looking for young, highly motivated athletes. We value work-ethic, training habits and attitude as much as we value natural ability. If we have multiple openings in our JO Team, we may elect to hold a formal tryout. On occasion we have athletes from other acrobatic sports such as trampoline, tumbling or gymnastics contact us seeking to switch over to competitive diving. In these cases we conduct personal interviews and talent identifications to determine if it would be appropriate to place these divers in our highest level programs.
Q8. We just joined the Competitive Team. What have we gotten ourselves into?
Answer: This is a USA Diving Junior Olympic program. There are several thousand kids around the US that participate in USA Diving training and competitions on the one-meter, 3-meter and platform. LA Dive Club is considered one of the top programs in the US to train for competitive success. In this arena, exceptional divers may win the right to compete internationally, or compete on the Senior level vying for a spot in the Olympic Trials. The majority of LADC Team Members graduate and go on to compete as divers in the NCAA.
Our season runs from early September through early August – this is a year round program. Our peak competitive seasons are March-April and July-August. In April we compete at a Regional Meet where divers can qualify for the Zone Championships. The Zone Championships takes place in June. Divers at the Zone meet can qualify to the Junior Nationals. Our ultimate competitive goal as a team is to be a top 10 team at the Junior National Meet in August.
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