Update -- December 14, 2008

Dear Divers, Parents, and Supporters,  

Welcome to December, the month of great changes in the TLDT family.  

First off, workout schedules have changed for the weekdays to accommodate the High School season and to try to keep everyone as warm as possible during these colder months (not that the weather helped at all this weekend as we held our inaugural "close to noon" workouts :/).  There was rather sparse attendance, but everyone got lots of individual attention, which was really good :)  Hopefully we'll see an upturn once Winter Vacation starts -- please see the schedule at the end of the update letter!

Second, Coach Jeff and Siew are becoming foster parents this month, in a whirlwind turn of events, so please bear with me as I try to juggle the required training classes, doctor's appointments, and other assorted tasks that go along with this undertaking.  I apologize that it makes the schedule for December a bit haywire -- things ought to calm down and be relatively normal by January :)  You all will also be able to re-acquaint yourselves with an old diving friend once the process is complete :)

OK, on to recent accomplishments:

Chris Vonk Memorial Invite 

A group of six TLDT divers traveled to Mission Viejo California to participate in this prestigious event.  We suffered jet lag, lack of sleep, and long drives in the car, but everyone did some outstanding work tat this meet!  Highlights follow:

Joanna was solid to great on vols, but a bit off on optionals.  Her best dive was her 301B 3M for 6.5-7s, with her 201B also garnering lots of 6s.  On the 1M, her 103B and 401B were very nice, as was her 104C (best one she's yet competed).  Many coaches noted her amazing jump!   

Linnet did awesome 201Bs both boards and standing up taller than ever and rotating the them nicely, but her big high point was her 5211A 1M for 6s (a SoCal coach turned to me and said "I didn't know that dive could be done so well!").  She also had great tops on her 403C both boards, and nailed her 302C both boards.  

Ashley mastered the 100 group at this meet.  Her highest scoring dives of both events were her 103Bs and her 104C 1M and 105C 3M (including her first-ever 6 on this dive!).  She really did a great job on the 3M optionals, turning in a solid 403C and her best-ever 203A.   

Alena  was amazing on 1M -- solid hurdles and lines on her 5121D and 103C, strong high 402C, and just an all-around good performance.  On 3M, she was very solid on her 403C, earning 5-5.5s, the highest scores she has yet on this dive.  

Madison did a fantastic all-around job on both boards, competing Junior on 1M and Novice on 3M.  Her particular highlights include her top on her 104C 1M, her solidly performed 301C 1M, her AMAZING 200A 3M (her first "8"), and her first-ever performed 201C 3M for 5.5s.  

Kai started off like gangbusters on 1M -- 6-7s on his first three vols.  He missed his 301B and never seemed to get his groove back.  However, he started getting the best tops of his life on his 105C, and showed what he can do in a post-event practice session.  

Madison headed out to the airport on Sunday afternoon, but the rest of the team took advantage of Knott's Berry Farm's "Toys for Tots" promotion (a much better deal than Magic Mountain would have been, given our time frame!).  We went to Target and bought just-over $10 toys to donate, thereby gaining free admission to the park.  We went on all the most thrilling rides and had a grand old time!  We will be looking to do Magic Mountain when we return in March for Regionals!

ILH Invite #1

Ashley -- Wow!  What a consistent list!  She had great form on all dives, with tight legs and toes from start to finish!  She did the best 403C she's done in forever, and performed a BEE-YOO-TI-FUL 201B from first prime to swim and save entry!  Here's to seeing MUCH more of the same from her this season!

Cristin -- She worked hard this week and got back her 103C, which had been plaguing her for the last month or so.  Got back?  She nailed it for 7s!  What a dive!  She also showed off much smoother actions on her voluntaries, and did the best action I've yet seen her do on 5221D.  Now we just gotta get the DD :)

Maria -- Technically a Sunshine Diver, but we get her for HS, since Anita can't coach HS.  She did a very solid job and made many great corrections (narrow arms on 403C, head in on her 201B, tall stand up on 5122D).  

Allia -- Another Sunshine orphan for the HS season.  Allia had to perform a dive she wasn't too comfortable with, her 202C, but with the advantage of a long warm-up period, we were able to get the dive under control (and she got 5-5.5s on it in the meet :).  She lit up the pool on her 401C and 201A, electrifying the judging panel and earning scores of 7+ on each.

NOTES FOR THOSE WISHING TO BECOME ELITE

Take advantage of the Winter Break time to do as much training as you can!

REST OF DECEMBER/START OF JANUARY WORKOUT SCHEDULE

Sunday, Nov. 30, 3:30-6:00 PM at Schofield (note earlier time to accommodate earlier nightfall...)

Monday, Dec. 15, Kaiser 3:00-5:00 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 16, Kaiser 3:30-5:30 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 17, Kaiser 3:00-5:00 PM

Thursday, Dec. 18, Kaiser 3:00-5:00 PM

Friday, Dec. 19, Kaiser 3:30-5:30 PM

Saturday, Dec 20, No Practice (Coach Jeff attending Foster Parent Training all day)

Sunday, Dec. 21, Coach Jeff on a hike  -- will try to see if we can have a practice if I am done on time -- call 864-0037 at 3 PM to see if it pans out!

Monday, Dec. 22, Schofield, 10 AM - Noon; Kaiser 3:00-5:30 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 23, Schofield, 10 AM - Noon; Kaiser 3:00-5:30 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 24, Schofield, 10 AM - Noon

Thursday, Dec. 25, NO PRACTICE -- Have a great Christmas!

Friday, Dec. 26 - Wednesday, Dec 31 -- Coach Jeff's parents visiting -- we WILL have workouts, but schedule is TBD  -- great time for y'all to plan a trip :)

Thursday, Jan. 1:  Kaiser, 11 AM - 1 PM

Friday, Jan. 2, Schofield, 10 AM - Noon; Kaiser 3:00-5:30 PM

Saturday, Jan. 3, NO PRACTICE  Kalani HS Diving Invitational at Kaiser High (8 AM - 11:30 AM)/ILH Intermediate and JV Event at Iolani at 2 PM)

Sunday, Jan. 4, NO PRACTICE -- Coach Jeff on a hike

More January Info to come :)

Okies, That's all for now! 

Jeff