Update -- May 6, 2007

Dear Divers and Parents,

WOW!  I cannot begin to tell you how impressed I am with you all.  The Hawaii Diving Association Championships really brought out some sick skills (that was for the benefit of the kids -- Parents, I'll translate:  amazingly good).  Lance and Justine's folks said they took many pictures, so I'll post those as soon as I get them.  Individual highlights follow:

Emily made her Level 1 debut on the one-meter after only two months of diving, and outdid herself on 3 of her 6 skills.  I had told her to look at scoring between 4s and 6s as a first-time competitor.  Well, she did exactly that on her 100A (5-5.5s), 200A (6s), and 001D (4.5s).  But then she reached up into the realm of elite diving by scoring 6.5s on her 002D, 6-7s on her 100C, and 6-7.5s on her 5101A.  Wow!  She even outscored the level 2 divers by more than 12 points.  I am excited to get her ready to compete at the Aloha State Games, maybe on both boards!

Justine learned her final dive (reverse dive) to complete her Level 8 1M list only a week and a half ago, and was very excited to be competing on that level.   Her highlights were her 101C and 201C for 5.5-6.5s.  She also had a great start on her 401C, but washed a little long for 5.5s.  Her newly-learned 103C went 4.5s, and is coming along nicely.  She stood up a little too straight on her 202C (we'll get that worked out next week) and did the best 5121D she's done in a  while.  I think we will do Junior Level at the Aloha State Games!  She also had a solid Level 3 3M event, capped off with a completely mind-blowing 200A that I gave an 8 1/2.  It was hands-down the best skill of the meet (and mighta rivaled some of Aleia's and my dives ;)

Lance did the Future Champions Level 8 on both boards, and had a number of great dives.  1M, he impressed the most with his 401C, 301C and his 103C, each of which earned 6.5s.  On 3M, he had similar strengths, but it was his 101C, 301C and 403C that impressed me the most.  His 403C is ready to bring down to the 1M, and we will work to get some bigger dives on both boards for the ASG (start thinking now, lance:  104C 1M, 403C 1M, 203C 1M...104/105C 3M, 303C 3M, 5231D 3M :)  Lance also had the pleasure of sticking around after the meet and playing on the towers.  He jumped off 10M ("too much" for right now, he said later), and had fun doing many various dives on 5M and 7M.

Tropic Lightning alumna Aleia (back for a visit between end of Spring semester and start of summer school) and Coach Jeff had a show-down this meet.  It was a blast!  I told Aleia we would do the exact same list, and that she could pick the dives we would do.  Obviously, a mistake!  She picked several dives she is famous for, and with which I have little to no experience, such as 203A 3M and 5131D 1M.  She also got some help from Emily's mom and dad, who helped her decide on a 304B on 3M (?!!?).  I ended up having to do those dives, plus a 203B 1M that I practiced on Thursday for the first time since July 2002, and a 303B that I did in the warmup for the meet for the first time since July 2002!  We split the difference -- I emerged victorious on 3M, while Aleia kicked my booty on 1M.  Her 203B and 303B 1M were not to be reckoned with, as she earned 7+ on both to take that event.  I was happy with my 5-5.5s on them, plus my 5-5.5s on 5131C, which is Aleia's signature dive.  She and I matched 105Bs and 405Cs 3M, then she went ahead on 203A 6.5s to 4.5s (6'6" of body and inflexible shoulders make this a hard dive to do well on!); I nailed my 5233D for 7.5s while she bobbled around so much that a balk was declared on hers, and that opened the door.  I nailed the ?!!? dive (304B) for 6s, while Aleia got overconfident and came out early for 4.5-5s.

When the events ended, I joined Lance on the tower with a specific purpose: to try some dives I'd never before done on the 10M (5231D and 5233D) and to try one I hadn't done in 17 years up there (5235D).  Aleia and the UH divers and coaches all helped out, and I did all three of the dives!  YAY!!

So, congrats to all on a fine day on the boards, and enjoy your week off while I am in Florida (I know I am bummed to take the week off, because I am so stoked to be diving again :)

NO WORKOUTS MAY 8 TO MAY 14

Coach Jeff is going to Fort Lauderdale, FL, for the FINA USA Grand Prix Diving Event.  He is going to a judging school to be certified to judge international events, and also to learn the ropes of being a team leader for US National Teams.  Enjoy the week's break!

ALOHA STATE GAMES

Coming up next is the Aloha State Games, on Sunday, June 3!  I got information packets today, and will pass them out to you all on Tuesday, May 15.  Important info for you to enter into your Personal Digital Assistants (cell phones, Sidekicks, Blackberries, etc):  Registration deadline:  May 26, 2007 and dive sheet deadline: June 1.

There is no need to do any additional registering with AAU or USA Diving for this meet -- it is "unsanctioned."  Insurance is taken care of by the ASG organization.  The entry fee covers all events entered, plus a T-shirt :)  And this meet has some way cool medals!!!

REMAINDER OF MAY WORKOUT SCHEDULE

Mon, May 7, 2:45 -- 4:15 PM at Kaiser High 

NO WORKOUTS MAY 8 to MAY 14 -- COACH JEFF AT FINA USA GRAND PRIX EVENT

Tues, May 15, 3:30 -- 6:00 PM at Schofield 

Wed, May 16, 2:45-- 4:15 PM at Kaiser High

Thurs, May 17, 3:30 -- 6:00 PM at Schofield

Sunday, May 20, 4:00 -- 6:00 PM at Schofield (NOTE TIME CHANGE:  COACH JEFF HAS A LONG HIKE THAT MORNING :)

Mon, May 21, 2:45-- 4:15 PM at Kaiser High 

Tues, May 22, 3:30 -- 6:00 PM at Schofield 

Wed, May 23, 2:45-- 4:15 PM at Kaiser High

Thurs, May 24, 3:30 -- 6:00 PM at Schofield

Sat, May 26, 9:00 -- 11:00 AM at Schofield *NOTE EARLY TIME -- THIS IS TO HELP US GET READY FOR COMPETING ON SUNDAY, JUNE 3*

Sun, May 27, 9:00 -- 11:00 AM at Schofield *NOTE EARLY TIME -- THIS IS TO HELP US GET READY FOR COMPETING ON SUNDAY, JUNE 3*

Mon, May 28, 9:00 -- 11:00 AM at Schofield *NOTE EARLY TIME -- THIS IS TO HELP US GET READY FOR COMPETING ON SUNDAY, JUNE 3* 

Tues, May 29, 3:30 -- 6:00 PM at Schofield 

Thurs, May 31, 3:30 -- 6:00 PM at Schofield

*The above early schedules are not set in stone -- if your family has a conflict for these times during Memorial Day Weekend, please let me know, and let's see what we can get worked out

ASL CORNER

Now that the deaf kids are back, and you'll see them at least once a month at meets, check out the ASL Corner,  Do the lessons as you want to, ask me for help as you need.

Okies, That's all for now!  I'll update again soon with the pics from the meet!

Jeff