Dive Team Is About More Than Diving...
Kids come to summer diving team for all kinds of reasons. To fill a schedule, because they think it is easier than swimming, it looks cool. But they find out it is a lot more than they might have thought.
First of all, it is not just for the talented. Kids that are not naturals get the most out of summer diving.
It builds body awareness, balance, bravery to do things you didn’t think you could do, and confidence to know your best is enough. It teaches how to be okay with mistakes and where to put disappointment to push forward.
Diving is about strength and grace, but it gives so much more. To do it well, one has to be relaxed and focused. Growing up, it was my #1 stress reliever. It is literally impossible not to be totally “in the moment” when diving.
It is an individual sport in the above ways, but a team sport support wise. Kids help each other learn. Most of the time a practice is on the deck doing skills or in line for the board. Kids help each other learn dives, support each other in their efforts, and make great friendships.
In diving, accomplishments and disappointments help kids overcome fear, deal with loss in a way that fuels improvement, and builds confidence knowing that their best will be good enough. Kids learn some pretty cool dives too.
I tell the kids the first rule of summer diving is to have fun, but I know it is so much more than diving.
