Everyone
knows that Montgomery County Aquatics has an excellent swimming program for
lessons and competitive swimmers. You might even be aware that Montgomery County
played host to the US Olympic Diving Team just before they left for London in
2012. But did you know that kids as
young as age 5 can start learning to dive off spring boards as well as
platforms?
We sat down
with Monica Spurgeon whose daughter, Caroline, has been diving for two years to
find out what drew them to diving as a sport.
MCR: What made Caroline try diving in
the first place?
MS: The
summer when she was 5 years old I noticed that she was really good at
gymnastics and she loved diving into the pool. I thought we should try it now
when she was young because sometimes kids are more fearful as they get a few
years older.
MCR: What makes diving a good sport
for kids?
MS: It’s
easier on your body than gymnastics, but still a great way to burn off that
energy. Plus, you have to learn to swim
as well when you dive and so as a safety thing, it’s always good to know how to
swim to the edge of a pool as a child.
MCR: What do you like most about
diving?
MS: The
coaches are young adults who are very enthusiastic and get the kids excited.
You can tell they really love the sport and have fun teaching the kids. I never
have to drag my daughter to diving. She
always wants to go! I also like that
this program does not have to be competitive. There are different kinds of
meets but with all of them kids learn that ok, maybe they didn’t do so well but
that’s ok. It’s not a sport that you are going to master right away. Kids have
to be ok with not doing something well, and then they work at it, and they
learn that they CAN do it.
MCR: Have you seen any real benefits
to your daughter as she’s been in the diving program?
MS: Yes! She
was on the 5-meter platform and almost slipped. She was really frightened and
would not go up there for a few weeks. But we talked about it and she knew she
would have to overcome that fear if she wanted to keep diving. And she did!
