Minnesota Diving Academy
|
Minnesota Diving Academy is a highly-respected springboard and platform diving club and summer camp servicing the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area, led by two-time U.S. Olympic Diving Coach Wenbo Chen.
Divers are instructed at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center, one of the best diving collegiate diving facilities in the country. The aquatic center is equipped with:
The coaching staff at Minnesota Diving Academy strive to provide unparalleled, expert coaching at a world-class facility for all its divers wanting to learn and improve their skills. |
|
Wenbo Chen, Owner
|
Wenbo Chen is the Head Coach of the University of Minnesota diving team, and "one of the most respected and accomplished diving coaches in the world." Following four years as USA Diving’s head coach, he joined Minnesota’s staff on April 16, 2009. Chen has been named the Big Ten Women’s Diving Coach of the Year six times, and was also named the Men’s Diving Coach of the Year in 2016. He has coached three national champions, multiple Big Ten Divers of the Year and Olympic medalists.
AWARDS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
|
Ellie Smart, Club Director & Head High Performance Coach
|
Eleanor (Ellie) Smart grew up diving and qualified for both Junior and Senior Nationals. She dove collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley, where she qualified for NCAA's and won a National Championship in 2015. Smart currently dives professionally, representing Team USA and is a permanent diver on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Smart won a Bronze Medal for Team USA at the 2018 World Cup. In addition, Smart is the Assistant Coach of the University of Minnesota’s Diving team. She is also Director and Head Coach of the High Performance Squad. Contact Info: Email: smart098@umn.edu Phone: (913)-787-3220 Website: elliesmart.com |
Owen Weymouth, Co-Director & Head Junior Olympic Coach
|
Owen Weymouth is originally from Plymouth, England. He began diving at the age of 6 at Plymouth Diving Academy which is a world renowned club that has produced multiple Olympians such as Tom Daley and Tonia Couch. Owen is currently a professional high diver and part of the British National Team. He has competed in various international competitions and is a Wildcard on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Owen is the Co-Director and Head Coach of the Junior Olympic and Mighty Minis Program. Contact Info: Email: cowdiver@gmail.com Phone: (715)-716-0352 |
Harry Baden, Head Elite Coach
Harry Baden dove at the University of Hawaii for one year and then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he finished his collegiate diving career. After retiring from diving, he began coaching high school, club, and college diving. Harry is the head coach of the Elite Program.
Recreational Coaches
We have various recreational coaches who are former or current collegiate divers. They are very experienced in the sport of diving.