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, Masters (Adult), Collegiate and Senior diving. Questions about training, technique, competitions, dryland training including trampoline and dry board.I can also answer questions about how to judge/referee diving events. 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. Head Referee for the Big 12 and ACC Conference Diving Championships.
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: 7/11/2008 Subject: diving lessons
Question I have an 11 year old son who is currently a gymnast. He would like to branch
out to diving. Are there any programs in Central PA? I am having very little
success finding anything in the Harrisburg/Hershey general area. thank you
Answer Hi Amy -
Since I live in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle WA area) I am not that familiar with diving where you live. I did some research and came up with some contacts for you to pursue:
There are 3 sources of diving in the US that have websites dedicated to diving. I will list them below and tell you who you should contact.
www.usadiving.org - This is the National Governing Body for age group diving in the US. When you go this site, click on an icon at the top of the page and look for "Find A Club". It will take you to a page where you enter your state. There will be a list of clubs there but I do not think they are close to where you live. The people that know the most about diving in PA are Julian and Doe Krug, coaches at the University of Pittsburgh. E-mail them at jkrug@pitt.edu and I am sure they can send you in the right direction.
www.mastersdiving.com - Masters diving is a term for adult recreational and competitive diving. I went to their web page and clicked on "E-Mail Addresses". I scrolled down the page and looked for divers in PA. There were several but the one that got my attention was Kara Seaton from Hershey. Her e-mail is kseaton@gmail.com. She must practice somewhere near where you live. I do not know her but I would give her a try. Sometimes Masters Divers are also coaches and maybe she knows someone with a program.
www.aaudiving.org - Another governing body for age group diving. The person to contact is Joe Chirico. He lives in Boston but I am sure he would know your area and could help. joe@usadiver.com.
Gymnasts have the easiest time transferring their acrobatic skills into diving ones so I am sure your son will take the sport quite quickly. I hope you succeed in finding a place for him to pursue this great sport. Good luck !!
