What every dive parent should know ...

There are a number of facts parents should know about EKDC and the sport of diving in order to make an informed decision as to whether or not this is an appropriate activity for your child and family.

Diving is a complicated sport

You will need to invest time to educate yourself about the various dives, their degrees of difficulty, the requirements for competition, and the structure of Canadian Amateur Diving Association (CADA).

Diving is not an easy sport to master

You need to keep this mind as your watch your child from week to week and think he or she is not making any progress. Some children take years before they acquire all the necessary skills, this is normal.

How can I help my child through periods of frustration and anxiety?

By working together with the Coaching Staff, you can help your child through periods of frustration and anxiety by emphasizing the value of sacrifice, dedication and perseverance. Naturally, there will be days when a diver does not feel that the sacrifice is worth it. You as a parent must understand that the true reward will come when your child has pushed on through adversity, and has felt the rush of joy that comes only from accomplishing something truly difficult. Because most children are not accustomed to having to wait 6-8 months for gratification, they will need to work with the coaches to establish short term goals to keep them motivated. But hearing you affirm what the coaching staff is telling them at the pool can help. Specifically, that a goal is most satisfying when it is achieved after overcoming adversity.

Is diving safe?

The sport of springboard and platform diving has always been one of the most popular Olympic sports for spectators. It is a beautiful combination of grace, power and courage. And part of what makes it so thrilling to watch is the appearance of danger.

In recorded history of competative diving, there has only been one catestrophic event.

The truth of the matter is this:

Participating in an organized diving program, under the instruction of certified coaches, in a facility which meets the specifications set forth by CADA, is a perfectly safe activity for children and adults. Is it risk free? Of course not. It is a sport just like any other, and any time you participate in sport (or life, for that matter) you accept a degree of risk.

EKDC is run by parents

What this means for you is that you will be required to contribute your time over and above what you spend bringing your child to and from practice sessions and meets. If parents do not step up to volunteer when needed, there is no program.

Why parents love diving ...

What are the benefits of having your children in a sport like diving? For all sports, the value of participation is dramatic.

Countless studies draw a powerful link between participation in organized sports and success. Kids are more likely to finish school, go on to college, and to build beneficial social skills. According to these same studies they are less likely to get involved with drugs, become involved in teenage pregnancy, or get caught up in criminal activities. Organized sports programs such as Edmonton Kinsmen Diving Club provide a safe place of encouragement, build self-esteem and teach critical social skills.

But a sport like diving has much more to offer. In some sports you can be a "natural." But diving favors the dedicated. Even highly talented divers have a difficult time if they practice intermittently. On the other hand, highly motivated athletes with a small amount of physical "talent" can become quite successful in diving. Again, the key is dedication. Many times we see young athletes who show very little promise for diving, but are absolutely fascinated by it. Perhaps it is the challenge, the feeling of accomplishment when they conquer their fears, or the sense that they belong to a special group - but they get HOOKED ON DIVING!

These kids stay with the sport for years, and every year they get better. Often they end up as successful national divers, and some are even rewarded with athletic scholarships. But the real value of this perseverance is seen in the way the experience molds their character. Because whether you are the next Canadian National Champion, or just hope to make the top six at a invitational meet, if you want to succeed in diving, you must face your fears. This is as true for the Beginner as it is for the Olympic Champion. In diving, as in life, we must learn to manage fear in order to achieve anything worthwhile. And when you see your child conquer a dive that has had them terrified for two weeks, and you watch the explosion of self confidence and accomplishment that follows, then you will know first hand one of the great benefits of our sport.