AboutTom Trapp Expertise I can answer any questions pertaining to all levels of springboard and platform diving including : beginner lessons, intermediate, advanced, high school, Junior Olympic, AAU, collegiate and senior diving. Questions about training, technique, competitions, dryland training including trampoline and dry board. I cannot answer questions about swimming (how to dive off a starting block) or SCUBA diving.
Experience 3 time U.S. Diving National Team Coach. Coached World, International and National Junior Olympic individual and team champions. Collegiate level experience (Junior College and Division I)Chairman, U. S. Diving Region 10 and Northern California Diving Associations. Professional diving referee, judge and meet director including U.S. Diving Junior and Senior Nationals, National Qualifying events and Division I collegiate events.
Organizations U.S. Diving. AAU Diving. Professional Diving Coaches Association
Education/Credentials B.S. in Recreation and California Teaching Credential in Physical Education/Aquatics. U.S. Diving Safety Certified Coach.
Awards and Honors U.S. Diving National Award of Excellence.
Northern California Diving Association Coach of the Year.
U.S. Diving Region 10 Coach of the Year
Expert: Tom Trapp Date: 5/7/2008 Subject: Safety of diving from 5 meters
Question My 8 year old son and 11 year old daughter both recently jumped from a 5 meter platform and survived nicely. They both love the water and are good swimmers, but when I learned about this I got worried that really they should not attempt this without careful training. What is your advice?
Answer Philip -
Since they are only jumping from this height, enjoy it and are showing control, I see no harm in letting them do it for fun from time to time. The key word here is showing control. This means that they take off carefully, demonstrate good balance in the air and enter the water straight up and down with either their arms at their sides or straight over their head. The arms can be outstretched during the descent but not upon entry. Their feet should also be together and if they can, point their toes. I would advise you not to let them go any higher and definitely not head first.
If you want to find a coach in your area go to www.usadiving.org. Their is an icon for parents to click on to find a club in your town with a safety certified diving instructor.
