Diving requirements
Ages 4-18: Be able to jump off the board in the deep end and swim to the side of the pool unassisted.
Practice information
- Practice prep:
- Divers are encouraged to wear the team suit.
- Towels are required at dive practice.
- Divers are not allowed to be in the pool until coaching staff is on the pool deck.
- Before Practice: Divers must be suited and on deck for the start of practice.
- During Practice: Good behavior is expected, and divers are watched and evaluated on the characteristics of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring. It is important for divers to maintain these characteristics in and out of the pool throughout the year… and for the rest of their lives.
- Coaches will dismiss disruptive swimmers from practice, and parents will be notified.
Low-board rules
- No double-bouncing on the board
- Only one diver is allowed on the board at a time
High-board rules
- Climb the ladder one step at a time
- After diving on high board do not swim in front of the low board
- No talking when you are on the ladder or on the board
- No hanging legs or arms out past rails
Communications
We communicate through email. Let Coach K know if your email is not on file with the LJCC, or if you have any questions or concerns.
Meet the coaches
Read “LJCC Barracudas are a family legacy and more”
Kirsten “Coach K” Thomas
Coach Thomas majored in social work and played Wildcats women’s soccer at the University of Kentucky, where she graduated with a B.A. A B’ham native, she grew up at The J participating in all the available sports, including diving. In addition to being county champion for 15 consecutive years, she was named Jefferson County All Star Diver. She also dove competitively in the southeast for the Amateur Athletic Union. “Dive Club was a sport I looked forward to every summer,” she says. “I will never forget diving with and against my friends and family.”
Coach K also has a decade of experience coaching competitive diving, and has seen The J ranked top-four in the county for more than 10 years. Each year The J has seen numerous divers placing top-three in the county.
“My approach to coaching empowers children to reach their goals,” she explains. “I create an environment for our kids to grow and at their own speed. During that journey, it’s important to the team and individuals that they make mistakes, and as their coach I’ll always ask about what was learned. I am committed to helping all of our divers reach their full potential.”
Helen Smith
Coach Smith has three decades of experience coaching diving, including 29 at the LJCC. Her teams have won many titles, including several 1st-place county finishes, numerous 1st-place invitationals, and many top-three Alabama State Games titles.
She coached her daughter, Coach K (see above) for 15 years, and also started her diving career at The J at age 11. She dove competitively in state and southeastern diving meets throughout her career as a youth diver. She placed third in the southeast and twice competed in the Junior Olympics.
“My coaching style involves each child’s unique vision,” she says. “As we learn different skills and techniques throughout the season, I relate those skills back to each diver’s vision. We celebrate all our little wins that help us grow as divers. In addition, I consider teamwork, discipline, resiliency, respect, compassion, accountability, and character to be the most important attributes in the pool.”