PROGRAMS
Mission Statement: 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.
Download our club handbook for detailed information about our recreational and competitive programs:
Recreational Program
Recreational Team: Minnesota Diving Academy offers a recreational program for people who want to learn to dive or improve their skills. The recreational program is for those who do not want to compete in club diving competitions. We offer three training squads:
Learn to Dive Lessons
Our Lessons Program is broken down into four levels that teach the fundamental skills which lay the foundation for more complex skills. Practices last 1 hour and include both dryland training (conditioning, stretching, dry board, trampoline) and pool training (1 and 3 meter springboard). Divers may attend 1-3 practices per week. Upon completion of all four levels, divers will be eligible to move up to the Mighty Minis or Junior Olympic squad.
High School Enrichment
The high school group is intended for divers aged 12-18 who are involved or plan to be involved with high school teams. Practices last 2 hours and include both dryland training (conditioning, stretching, dry board, trampoline) and pool training (1 and 3 meter springboard + platform introduction). The aim of this group is to improve their 11 dive 1 meter list and help them prepare for high school meets. We will also introduce 3 meter diving and platform diving for those athletes with aspirations to dive in college. Divers in this group are also encouraged to compete in USA Diving meets under Minnesota Diving Academy.
Competitive Program
Competitive Team: Minnesota Diving Academy offers a competitive program for divers who want to compete at the State, Regional, Zone, National, and International Level.
Junior Olympic
The Junior Olympic squad is for divers who have successfully completed our lessons program or have previous experience diving. There are five levels within the Junior Olympic program. Practices last 2 hours and include both dryland training (conditioning, stretching, dry board, trampoline) and pool training (1 and 3 meter springboard + platform introduction). We encourage athletes to attend: Level 1: 2x per week, Level 2: 3x per week, Level 3: 3-4x per week, Level 4: 4x per week.
Elite (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
The Elite Squad is for divers who have successfully completed our Junior Olympic Program or are transitioning directly from competitive gymnastics. Divers must have aspirations to compete in USA Diving competitions. There are three levels within Elite; Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each diver must pass the specific criteria to move up. Practices last 3 hours and include both dryland training (conditioning, stretching, dry board, trampoline) and pool training (1 and 3 meter springboard + platform introduction). Divers should attend: Bronze 2x+ per week, Silver 3x+ per week, Gold 4x+ per week.
High Performance
The High Performance Squad is the highest level within the club and divers must be invited into the squad by the club directors. There are two pathways to the high performance group: 1) An athlete demonstrates a high level of talent, dedication, and potential within the sport, 2) An athlete has successfully completed Elite Gold and shown dedication to the sport. High Performance divers are expected to attend all practice sessions.
Come dive with us!
Please email Ellie Smart, smart098@umn.edu, for more information!