Springboard and Platform Diving/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer any questions pertaining to all levels of springboard and platform diving including : beginner lessons, intermediate, advanced, high school, Junior Olympic, AAU, Masters (Adult), Collegiate and Senior diving. Questions about training, technique, competitions, dryland training including trampoline and dry board.I can answer questions about how to judge/referee diving events.Also questions about how run, direct and administrate all different types of diving meets from novice events through Olympic Trials.I am also available as a consultant and expert witness for legal cases involving diving. I cannot answer questions about swimming (how to dive off a starting block) or SCUBA diving.

Experience in the area

3 time U.S. Diving National Team Coach. Coached World, International and National Junior Olympic individual and team champions. Collegiate level experience (Junior College and Division I).Chairman, U. S. Diving Region 10 and Northern California Diving Associations. Professional diving referee, judge and meet director including U.S. Diving Junior and Senior Nationals, National Qualifying events and Division I collegiate events including the 2010 Men's NCAA Division I Diving Championships. Head Referee for the Big 12 and ACC Conference Diving Championships.Competition Director for past NCAA Men's Division I Nationals and numerous Pac 10 Conference Championships.In 2010, attended the FINA Junior Olympic World Diving Championships to take the International Judging Certification Class which was successfull completed.

Organizations

U.S. Diving. AAU Diving. Professional Diving Coaches Association.

Publications

I am a regular contributor to the Examiner.com writing a national column about all aspects of diving. Go to www.examiner.com/diving-in-national/tom-trapp to read my articles. While you are there, please click on 'Subscribe' next to my picture and follow the easy directions. You will then receive free diving articles directly to your inbox.

Education/Credentials

B.S. in Recreation and California Teaching Credential in Physical Education/Aquatics. U.S. Diving Safety Certified Coach.

Awards and Honors

U.S. Diving National Award of Excellence. Northern California Diving Association Coach of the Year. U.S. Diving Region 10 Coach of the Year

What do you like about this subject?

Success is a journey and when you are involved as a coach and official, it is a never ending journey of learning on how to be better.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

To be chosen as a judge or selection committee member for the US Olympic Team.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Diving is a very misunderstood sport. It takes a lot of knowledge about physics, anatomy, physiology, kiniesiology and sports psychology to figure out how to dive the right way.You also have to understand how the springboard/tower works as most of diving the correct way is what happens before you leave the board or platform

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

There is not a coach, diver or official alive who can say that they have learned everything you need to know about this sport. It is a never ending learning experience.