It is time for US diving to be taken seriously again.  The time is right for the sport for two reasons.  The support structure with AAU is ready to handle a large influx of athletes and the United States aquatics world is waiting for our divers to step up to the challenge.  There are many reasons why US diving (small “d”) has become small in number and unproductive on the international competitive circuit. There are as many reasons as there are hurdle techniques.  Let’s move forward.

The main focus of United States diving now has to become the massive and immediate influx of young new divers.  This will require many things.  The good news is that a few of these things are already in place.  The most important item necessary to rebuild United States diving is knowledgeable coaches.  Coaches create opportunities to dive.  Coaches make diving safe, fun and available.  Next are the facilities to dive in.  Third is insurance.  Fourth is a marketing plan that is real and workable.  Fifth is the administrative infrastructure to develop and select the elite divers at each level. 

The focus of the model must be items one, two and four.  AAU has miraculously accomplished number three in just one year.  The deeper and more vital aspects of sport development still have to be addressed. A tremendous number of new coaches have to be identified, trained and certified under a rigorous testing and advancement procedure.  Facilities, in much the same way, have to be identified, and outfitted to be available to train the next generation of US divers.  Marketing has to be reevaluated to draw tons more divers.  Finally we have to get that fire back in our guts, to dominate the Olympic Diving Podiums, and never relinquish them again.

Please help AAU Diving rebuild diving in the United States.  I welcome your comments and feedback on my ideas and direction for the sport.  Contact me at cwdatl@rit.edu

1. Coaches
2. Facilities
3. Insurance
4. Marketing
5. Administration and selection infrastructure

If you would like to help in the coaches certification program, the judges certification program, or any other of the five areas I have targeted please send me an email.