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Your Best

Work Hard & stay focused

THE 10 THINGS

that require no talent, but

win in Life!

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#1. Being on Time

#2. Work Ethic

#3. Effort

#4. Positive Body Language

#5. Energy

#6. Attitude

#7. Passion

#8. Wanting to Be Coached

#9. Doing Extra

#10. Being prepared

#11. (bonus) Setting Goals

 

THE FACTS

...time is fleeting

It Takes 10,000 Hours to Become

PROFICIENT at any activity.

In Diving, it takes about 50,000 Dives

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So, a WEEKLY COMMITMENT OF:

 2 Hours (1 Day Week,40 dives)  = A HOBBY

4-6 Hours  (2 Days Week)  =          Maintenance

5-9 Hours (3 Days Week)  =           High School

8-12 Hours (4 Days Week)  =         Club Track*

12-20 Hours (5-6 Days Week) =     Elite Track*

*Both Club and Elite Track are Competition Tracks, leading to College Sports

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Sooooo..... It ain't 1918

Ah! Those easy days going out for a sport in primary (elementary school), Middle School (Junior High School), or Upper School (High School), working hard for a few weeks at an activity, competing, and then moving on to the next seasonal sport or activity.

Ya, that was great.  A few schools still retain that care-free, well rounded approach, and that's really super nice of them.  

 

HOWEVER...  It isn't even 2000!

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No, no no.  These days, every able bodied kid needs to position themselves to be a competitive candidate for High School/College in their chosen activity, (and that is the goal here at Valley Dive). The activity can be a sport, an instrument, an interest, volunteering, or anything that requires time investment, and interest (and a road to differentiate the student, while learning valuable skills and/or lessons).  In common speak, the sooner you begin this quest, the better your result (is the general rule here, demonstrating proficiency).  We begin training athletes at age 6 (in an age appropriate manner).  If you (athlete or parent) are putting off an a time investment in an activity, or academic  commitment to conserve time or money, and you imagine that you might just start up sometime in high school, with a goal of a H.S. Team, or to help with a university entrance, or even a scholarship, rest assured, it is a very competitive animal, and the sooner your student gets in the groove with an activity or sport ANY ACTIVITY), the better their chances to achieve the goal in mind.  For instance, a difficult road would be to decide, as a Junior in High School, that a student needs an activity, and he/she decides to join the, let's say, the basketball team, and wants to try out.  

SOME INTERESTING QUESTIONS TO PONDER...

Does Valley Dive promote 20 hours commitment?

Interesting question...

A: Each family must choose the commitment level, which decides hour commitment

Wholly depends upon what age an athlete wants to become an Athlete.

We design a program around age appropriate commitment, ability,

Physical aptitude, and desire, which change as Athlete matures.

Will it be inexpensive?

Nope, most Club Sports and Activities require the outlay.  Diving is in the middle of Sport Club cost, with diving most Athletes that train 4-6 days per week, begin competing nationally within 3 years of starting Diving, and have an easy pathway to University sports.

Monthly Cost about $200 Beginner, $300 mo. middle, $400+ mo. Elite, depending upon frequency, (competitions add to the cost).  Generally, the better they do, the more you pay.

Can you find it cheaper?

Yes, indeed!  A diving parent (some years ago), started a club for her kids, and paid for the pool time with a couple of other kids fees.  Great idea?  

Result: Dismal.  Don't Coach your kids.  Seriously, there are a few programs out there, and pricing at Valley Dive is very reasonable for the personal attention that Athletes receive.  Valley Dive also prepares Athletes for transfer to some of the top Diving programs at UCLA and USC and Mission Viejo, when their basics have been completed, and if the Athlete is able/ready to make the next athletic jump (time commitment, monetary commitment, added driving, and many extra hours required.  In short, there are no bargains in Sports, however, cost is relative to the goals in mind.

"But... what is the BEST program?,  you know, so they will be the best, because I want value for my money, and I want my kids to be the best!"

There is no "Best".  As there are different Athletes, Parents, Coaches, so there are also different programs.  Diving is a long-term sport, not a weekend fling.  If a child stays with diving, they will have friends for life, and enjoy a very good group of University Athletes. When beginning any activity or sport, find a group and a coach that is comfortable & interested in your child.  Anyone promoting their club as the "best" should be scrutinized carefully as each program has its pros and cons, for a unique fit for your family situation.  Egos aside, endless training (work), will not fix an athlete that has underlying technique issues, fear or performance issues (often a problem is acerbated or locked in place by a bad coach or team).  Ideally, find a program that will focus on the holistic development of your athlete. 

Keep in mind, Being Very Good at one thing is important for self-definition, progression, and self-worth, AND

Being OK at many things is super-nice (at under 10 years age) but mostly a distraction and  irrelevant in today's University Acceptance pathway.

         

          Caveat: Alternative Learning or Special Learning Universities like:

          Ananda College of Living Wisdom, located in Laurelwood, Oregon.

          Antioch College, located in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

          Bard College, located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.

          Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky

          Bennington College, located in Bennington, Vermont.

          California Institute of Integral Studies, located in San Francisco, CA.

          (no diving (or competitive sports) at these schools - sorry!

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So, dear friends, not to be a rock in your boot, but notice has been made.  It is a different world, and planning must be addressed far earlier, than ever before.  Whatever your predilection, get on it...Now.  Have the conversations, and enjoy the journey, (and sure, surprises will occur).  

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