Parents,

Even though most schools in the area were closed…we still do have practice today – Monday February 1st.   Regular Time – 6:00 to 8:00.  Please drive carefully.

Kevin

Parents,

We are still holding practice tonight from 5:00 to 7:00.  It’s not supposed to snow until after 8:00.  However, please be cautious.  Practice is not worth a wreck.  If you are a HS diver driving to practice, please be cautious. 

Thanks.

Kevin

Parents,

Just a reminder, no practice tonight due to the bb game.  Also, we will not be able to have practice on Saturday due to a swim meet. 

Thanks!

Kevin

Parents..

We will have two practices on Monday, MLK day.  One at 10:30 a.m. and one at 6:00 our regular time.

Thanks.

Kevin

Three thoughts for me to share with you about your child’s progression:

Why does my child do so many jumps in practice?  When are they going to do some REAL dives?  The old adage of practice makes perfect really takes hold here.  To learn how to do a good front dive, they have to master a simpler skill – a good jump.  And even when the jump is mastered, they have to apply it to the take-off of the dive; which is not always the same.  Repetition is the key.  The same skill over and over and over.  If you want to see what happens when a simple skill is not mastered before going on, watch a HS diving meet.  Too many of those kids jump or skip skills and it is apparent in their dives.

How does my child overcome their fears?  This is the million dollar question.  Coaching age group divers is a challenge for coaches as much as it is for the diver to learn to get over their fear.  There is no answer here.  It can take 10 minutes, or 10 months.  The BEST solution to this, is to build confidence.  The more “new” dives they learn pain free, the easier it will be to tackle a harder dive.  Building confidence (along with having some guts) is the best way to go.  Each diver is different.  Some need to be pushed more than others.  However, the bottom line, is your diver will not do the dive until they make themselves do it.  Coaching age group is about fear management, where as coaching college is about improving technique.

A question from me to you as a coach to a parent?  WHY does your child dive?  From a coach’s standpoint, we emphasize safety first to prevent smacking.  Fear management is tough.  Then we try to work in some technique while keeping the environment safe and happy.  Is diving for your child just a social event for them?  It is definitely great for your child to work on social skills, and learn how to interact with other children of different ages and ability.  Is it a way for them to overcome obstacles?  There are not too many sports that deal with fear management like diving.  It is a true mental challenge for them at times.  Is it because they love the sport and want to win?  I think this is the case for VERY few of our divers.  Diving is “fun” for them.  However, if they want to take it to a competitive level, then this will have to develop in time.  How much better is your diver going to get?  That all depends on how much better they want to be.  Some divers want to learn and learn and learn.  Some, will never get out of their comfort zone.   Everyone is on a different path.  There is a wide range of skill and talent on our team.  As a parent, you can suggest things to make your diver better.  But the bottom line, is that they need to find something inside of themselves to make them want to learn more and get better. 

Just thoughts for you and your diver.  Have a good weekend.

Parents…

Im not canceling practice tonight, but I do not want anyone to drive in bad conditions, so I am going to leave that call up to you.  I will be here.  If nobody shows up by 5:30, then I am assuming that people will not be coming.  If it starts snowing bad during practice, I will cancel before the roads freeze and become dangerous.

Thanks and be safe and smart!

Kevin

Parents and Divers:

Two things.  First of all, it looks as if practice could be canceled today.  I don’t want people driving if the road are bad.  I will make the call around 3:00 p.m.  So check back here then.  Nobody really knows what the weather will bring.

The Christmas party will be Monday from 4:00 to ?  The divers can play around from in the water from 4 to about 5.  We will eat at 5, and then I will stick around if divers want to dive a bit afterwards.  Please make a dish to pass.  I will provide desserts and drinks.  Also, we no longer do a gift exchange.  Please bring a minimum$25.00 gift card for Kroeger and I will buy food for the Chapel Hill Food Shelter.  Last year we collected about $500.00 or so.  THD will make a donation as well.  If there is not a Kroeger around, you can bring a pre-paid visa/mastercard too.  Or you can just give me cash.

Also, anyone and everyone is invited to come.  We would love to see former THD divers as well.  Especially those that are coming back from college.  I have heard that most people are coming.  Thanks for your support.

Finally, there is no Saturday practice.  There is a HS swim meet.

Have a great weekend if we are snowed out!

Kevin

Parents,

Here is our schedule.  The practices over break are for beginners or JO divers.  You can show up for whatever practices you can make.  I may be out of town on the 23rd of December.  Becky and Adrienne will try to fill in as many practices as they can.  I will also be out of town for our annual training trip from the 29th of December through the 5th of January.  Those dates are underlined below.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks for your patience.

Dec 21st – Holiday Party 4:00 – 6:00

22nd – no practice BB game

23rd – practice from 10 to noon and 5 to 7

24th – no practice Christmas Eve Day

25th – no practice Christmas Da

26th – practice from 10 – noon only (saturday)

27th – practice from 1:00 to 3:00 (sunday to make up for bb games)

28th – no practice, bb game 

29th – practice from 10 to noon, and 5 to 7.

30th – no practice bb game

31st - practice only from 10 to noon

1st – no practice New Years Day

2nd – no practice, I will be out of town

4th normal schedule resumes

Thanks. 

Kevin

The THD Christmas Party is Sunday December 20th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the UNC pool.

We will have a potluck dinner so it would be great if every family would bring a dish to share.  Kevin will take care of the desserts, beverages, and paper products.

All family members can swim and dive so don’t forget your bathing suits.  For the last few years we have said we should get a team picture so this is the year.  There never seems to be a time when everyone is available for the photo opportunity so lets just go for it – bring your camera.

Let me know if you have any questions

Charlene
919-three four two-five five four seven