So Dive in!
Extracts from the original little book.
Whether
you want to learn and train as a competitive diver at local level or
international level, whether you choose to learn diving for pure
enjoyment and fun, what better challenging, stimulating and healthy
past time can you choose?
Can be a wonderful, graceful floating sensation in the air
It’s a lovely feeling to spin, turn and
twist in the air. You poise yourself wondering whether you’ll have
balance when you reach the end of the diving board, and the courage to
lift yourself high waiting for either a floating graceful sensation down
to the water – or a sudden explosion of energy into lots of twists and
somersaults in the air.“Gosh will I get it all in before I enter the water?” you ask yourself.
What about all those entries into the water? It’s a wonderful
feeling of pulling all your muscles as tight as tight as can be,
squeezing your ears with the tops of your arms, and feeling yourself
sucking the water down as you enter.
All the people above the water will see nothing but a few bubbles as
your beautifully pointed feet disappear under. This is called “ripping”
your entries. You “rip” through the water, taking the splash down
with you. This is a very skillful art. Your coach will spend many an
hour with you teaching you to perform it “just perfectly.”
OUCH! the water can be so hard
And what about those other entries into the water? Water looks so
blue, soft and inviting but sometimes you can get muddled in the air,
completely lose your train of thought and OUCH! the water is so hard
and winding you that you can hardly breath, stinging you and hurting
all over.
It’s no laughing matter, but… oh my! the
colourful bruises that emerge over your skin – any shade of blue, green
or yellow will make you hero of the week when you attend school next
day!
This can all happen when you want to run
before you can walk. Understandibly you are ambitious and
enthusiastic, the focus can easily be upset when you are thinking of
too many things at once or too soon
It is important to progress step by step over a longer period. Also
never to attend your lessons when you are feeling unwell. When you are
off colour, you will not be sharp thinking.
Whilst on the subject of alertness, you must be aware of possible dangers in the pool and around the diving boards.
Always Listen to your Coach
Never push anyone from the poolside or diving boards. At anyone
time be the only one on the springboard diving board and always jump in
line with the board – never to the side – and be sure not to swim UNDER
the diving boards.
It’s advisable to attempt new dives only when your coach is with
you, or perform any movement with your back turned facing the water.
Dive safely to be safe! and you will be looked up and learn from from your fine examples.
You have to have style.
You will achieve more at a faster rate if you have “Style” or “HEY look at me” attitude, plus of course a willingness to learn.
If you carry yourself well having a straight back, pulling in tummy
muscles, good square shoulders, your diving exercises will come a
little easier to you.
If you don’t consider yourself having these advantages then DO NOT worry, your diving exercises will put you right!
If you have the correct attitude and really want to succeed then you
will. Bodyline can be taught, attitude is harder to teach.
If you are aware of what your body does when you move around, and
have natural ability to stretch your muscles and point your feet and
toes, to be able to feel when your legs are together or wide apart,
once taught the take off from the diving board you will balance well.
You’ll look artistic in the air, and carry this through to your
fabulous “rip” entry into the water. To have the advantage of muscle
control, tight or slack, then you are well on the way of learning
quickly.
Don’t fret if you find this difficult, exercises help to streamline
you – as instructed by your coach – and will eventually be as
unconsciously effortless as breathing!
But…it does involve devotion and courage if you wish to dive in competitions and take this game seriously!
©agj
