Frequently Asked Questions
MY CHILD IS IN HIGH SCHOOL, IS IT TOO LATE FOR HIM TO START DIVING?
No way! It is never too late to start diving. There are many national
champions including Olympic gold metalist Mark Lenzi who didn't start diving
until highschool. The American Flyers have trained several successful
divers who didn't even start until college.
WHAT FORMS AND FEES ARE REQUIRED TO JOIN THE AMERICAN FLYERS DIVING PROGRAM?
Prior to any participation in the American Flyers Diving program, prospective divers and parents must fill and complete the following forms: Diver (online) Registration form, Waiver and Release of Liability form (signed by parent and diver), AAU (amateur athletic union) Membership ($14/year). The liability form can be printed directly from the American Flyers web site. You can find this form and online registration on the Registration page and/or Downloads page.
IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE OR MINIMUM DIVING ABILITY REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AMERICAN FLYERS DIVING PROGRAM?
There is not an age minimum or ability minimum required to participate in the American Flyers Diving program. The only requirement is that your child be able to easily swim across the deep end of the pool unassisted and be able to listen and follow simple instructions.
IS ANY SPECIAL UNIFORM OR BATHING SUIT REQUIRED?
No, there is no special uniform or swimsuit needed to participate in the American Flyers Diving program. Divers do, however, have the option of purchasing a team suit, logo T-shirts, embroidered sweat shirts, sweat pants, etc. available throughout the season.
IS MY SON REQUIRED TO WEAR A “SPEEDO” BATHING SUIT?
Absolutely not! A “SPEEDO” style bathing suit is not mandatory for boy divers in the American Flyers Diving program. We encourage divers to wear whatever they feel is most comfortable. Because a “SPEEDO” style swimsuit is less restricting than shorts and holds less water, a diver performing more advanced level dives with multiple flips and twists will most likely choose to wear one.
WHAT IF I MISS A SCHEDULED PRACTICE • WHAT IF THERE IS A CANCELLATION • WHAT IF MY PRACTICE FALLS ON A HOLIDAY?
I do not expect people to be at every practice. I know that school and family come first. Also, many people celebrate different holidays. Even the coach may have an emergency to take care of. However, there are no make up classes due to cancellations or holidays. The quarterly fee is not based on a set number of classes. The fee is simply to assure a spot for your child in the group of his/her choice. Although cancellations are far and few, they do happen.
WHAT IF I AM LATE PICKING MY CHILD UP FROM PRACTICE?
Parents are expected to be on time and pick up their child when practice is over. If you are running late, and there is another practice taking place, your child is welcome to stay inside the pool or gym area and wait for you. Please be advised that the coach is working and cannot be held responsible for the divers who are waiting for rides. If the last practice of the day has ended, your child must wait outside of the pool or gym area since the coaches are required to lock the doors when leaving. The coaches are not babysitters and are not permitted to stay after practice to wait with your child until you arrive to pick them up. PLEASE BE PROMPT!
CAN I START OR STOP DIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SESSION?
Divers are not required to start at the beginning of a session nor are they obligated to finish out a quarter of diving. As long as space is available, a diver is welcome to start at any time. Diving fees will simply be pro-rated for a diver who starts in the middle of a quarter.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT THE AMERICAN FLYERS?
E-mail and phone are the two best ways to contact the American Flyers. If it is at all urgent you should call first (216-916-0684 or 720-883-3248) then e-mail marccdive@hotmail.com
ARE THERE DIVING MEETS IN WHICH MY CHILD CAN COMPETE?
Yes, there are diving meets in which your son or daughter can participate. The Ohio Diving League (ODL) offers a series of meets held every 5-6 weeks beginning in November and ending in May. Divers of all ability levels are encouraged to join the ODL and participate in as many meets as possible. Most meets occur on a Sunday afternoon and last no more than five hours. Most meets take place within a 100-mile radius of Cleveland. There are very nominal fees associated with participation in the Ohio Diving League. Please see the section about the Ohio Diving League for more information.
WHAT IS THE OHIO DIVING LEAGUE (ODL)?
The Ohio Diving League was founded in 1990 by four Ohio diving coaches. The purpose behind the ODL was to create a place where young and beginner divers are introduced to competition in a fun and low-pressure environment. Here they could hone their diving skills without fear of failure. In the ODL, the divers compete in ABILITY LEVELS, NOT AGE GROUPS. As the diver learns more dives and more skills, they move up through the six ability levels. Every diver receives an award for every event in which they participate. The divers who participate in Level I, II or III, (Called the NON-Competitive Levels), do not “place” or have their scores ranked at the end of the meet. Rather, these divers’ names and scores are listed alphabetically where the goal of the diver is to improve his/her score at each successive meet AND learn new dives and skills so that they can move up through the ability levels. The divers who compete in Level IV, V and VI (The Competitive Levels) do “place” and have their score ranked in the final results. In addition, these scores are submitted to the Ohio Diving League for consideration of being listed in the ODL TOP TEN (for the current season) and the ODL ALL-TIME TOP TEN. These statewide rankings are listed on the ODL website and are updated after each meet. The ODL has undergone rapid expansion since its inception in 1990. In fact, the League grew so much that it was split into two divisions – ODL North and ODL South. Five or six times per year, usually on the same weekend, there are ODL meets taking place in northern Ohio and southern Ohio. The season ends with ALL divers getting together for the Annual Ohio Diving League Champ Meet, which takes place in Columbus, Ohio on the second Saturday in May.