Our new head coach, Luda Zakharenko, started off the season by receiving an award of excellence in coaching in the Good-to-Great category. The award was presented by the Coaching Association of Ontario, and it recognizes “the importance of leadership, performance and value of human insight which are all integral to great coaching.”
In October, Canada’s next generation of young divers embarked on a journey of a lifetime to compete at the 2015 UANA Pan American Junior Championships. The competition took place in Matanzas, Cuba from October 8-11. FCDC diver Joshua Inglis, who is a veteran to the Jr. Pan Am games, was in attendance competing alongside his fellow Canadian Jr. National team. Approximately 120 divers from over 10 countries were in Cuba. FCDC is proud to have one of their own represent Canada at the event.
Diving is an elite sport that incorporates strength and flexibility while achieving precise entry into the water. This cannot be achieved without Dryland exercises which assimilate the action of the dive without using water. Gymworld Inc. is a fully equipped gymnastics facility with trampoline, foam pits and a large gym floor where FCDC divers spend a significant amount of time doing repetitive exercises from handstands to somersaults. Since diving is a muscle memory sport, repetition is the key to success. New to the training regime for the competitive divers this year is a ballet program that focuses on stretching and improving flexibility (and of course, pointed toes).
Our Learn-to-Dive program has grown! Returning coach Andreea Marinescu, Provincial Champion and 2015 Diver of the Year, will be training the precompetitive development program. FCDC welcomes new coaches Dylan Phillips (Gatquatic diver) and Jamie Dutz (FCDC diver), both top 12 National finalists. Dylan is completing his post secondary education at Western, and Jamie is a student at London Central Secondary School. Also joining the team is Isabella St. George, a former gymnast and diving coach from Ottawa. For more information, visit us online.
Story and photo submitted by Forest City Diving Club
