THERE IS NO DIVING GENE
Some people learn more quickly, but everyone can learn. We have targeted our progressions and training cycles to enable everyone to learn as quickly as they are able.
COACHES
HEAD COACH
AARON HINTZ
Program Director
- Head Coach / Program Director – Carolina Diving Academy – 2007 – present
- Head Diving Coach – Davidson College, Davidson, NC– 2007 to 2015
- Diving Coach – Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois – 2003-2006
- Head Coach – Daredevil Diving, Noblesville, Indiana – 1998-2003
- Asst. Coach – Tualatin Hills Dive Club, Beaverton, Oregon – 1994-1997
- Diving Coach – Coe College (Div. III), Cedar Rapids, Iowa – 1990-1992
Aaron Hintz reorganized the diving program at HFFA into the Carolina Diving Academy in 2007. His experience with diving programs of every level has enabled him to build a cohesive program from entry-level lessons to national championship finalists. Hintz supervises all facets of the CDA curriculum and coaches the Elite Team.
ASSISTANT COACH
ANDREW HELMICH
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL MANAGER
- Head Diving Coach – South Carolina Divers in Columbia, South Carolina – 2016-2019
- Volunteer Assistant Diving Coach – University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina – 2016-2019
- Head Diving Coach – Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia – 2014-2016
ASSISTANT COACH
RYAN HAWKINS
13 & UNDER TEAM MANAGER
- Lessons Diving Coach – Fort Lauderdale Diving Team, Fort Lauderdale, Florida – 2017-2018
- 5th Year Diving Coach – Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia – 2014-2015
- Assistant Diving Coach – New River Dive Club, Christiansburg, Virginia – 2014-2015
- Pan American Games Team Member – 2015
- Seven-Time NCAA All American – Virginia Tech – 2012, 2013, & 2014
ASSISTANT COACH
BROOKE FOX
13 & UNDER LESSONS MANAGER
- Aquatic Lessons Instructor – Nazareth Area YMCA, Nazareth, Pennsylvania – 2012-2016
- Diving Coach Assistant – Board Benders Diving Club, Easton, Pennsylvania – 2014-2015
- Member of Liberty University’s Women’s Swimming & Diving Program, Lynchburg Virginia – 2015-2017
ASSISTANT COACH
BRAD BUCHTER
- Founder and Head Dive Coach – Soaring Eagles Dive Club – East Berlin, Pennsylvania 2002-2016
- Ran diving program for 4 area high schools
- Produced more than 10 PIAA State Champions
- Helped divers obtain D1 College Scholarships in: ACC, Big Ten, Patriot, Mountain West, and Big 12
- While at SEDC, coached divers to finals in Junior Nationals and Senior Nationals
- Assistant Coach of Junior USA All-Star Team in Leeds Englands – 2008 SEDC medalist
ASSISTANT COACH
MADELINE KEELEY
- Carolina Diving Academy High School coach – 2017-Present
- North Hills Country Club summer coach – 2014
- ACC Conference Championships – 2012
- NC State University Diver – 2012-2014
- USA Diving Nationals – 2009
- Carolina Diving Academy Diver – 2008-2012
LESSONS
The lessons program is divided into two departments: 13-Under and 13-Older or High School/ Middle School. They both develop flexibility, strength, and discipline. Both train each diver in the basic skills of tumbling, trampoline, dry board, deck drills, 5-meter platform, 1-meter springboard and 3-meter springboard.
Workouts are kept as energetic and fun as possible while introducing and perfecting basic diving skills. Once the diver achieves all of the necessary skills, he or she is promoted to the next level. Practices end with a period of “free time“ when divers have the opportunity to revisit what they have learned and explore new skills under their own terms.
Participants may choose to have lessons one or two days per week.
Workouts are kept as energetic and fun as possible while introducing and perfecting basic diving skills. Once the diver achieves all of the necessary skills, he or she is promoted to the next level. Practices end with a period of “free time“ when divers have the opportunity to revisit what they have learned and explore new skills under their own terms.
Participants may choose to have lessons one or two days per week.
TYPES OF LESSONS
DiveKids
This is a pre-lessons class for children ages 5-7 that focuses on coordination, fitness, flexibility and basic tumbling to cultivate a skill set conducive to diving. The class is divided into two sections. The first is approximately 60-75 minutes of training on mats, trampoline, dry-mounted spring board and “crash” mat and belt systems. The second is 15-30 minutes is in the water becoming comfortable with height and familiar with jumping positions.
**Swimming is required for participation in this class.
**Swimming is required for participation in this class.
Beginning Lessons
There are two sets of times with each available for one or two-day participation. The curriculum focuses on front and inward rotation.
Upon graduation, divers will at least be able perform:
• Forward dives off the side of the pool, on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Inward dives off the side of the pool, on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Forward somersaults off the side of the pool and on 1-meter
• Forward line-ups on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Backward line-ups on 1-meter and 3-meter
Upon graduation, divers will at least be able perform:
• Forward dives off the side of the pool, on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Inward dives off the side of the pool, on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Forward somersaults off the side of the pool and on 1-meter
• Forward line-ups on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Backward line-ups on 1-meter and 3-meter
Advanced Lessons
This level focuses on front and inward somersaulting and backward dives.
Upon graduation, divers will at least be able to perform:
• Forward 1 ½ somersaults on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Inward somersaults on 1-meter; back dives on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Backward somersaults on 1-meter;
• Forward line-ups on 5-meter platform.
Once all of the lessons skills are mastered, divers are ready to move up to the Developmental Team where they learn the remaining dives required for their respective age-groups and are introduced to competition.
Upon graduation, divers will at least be able to perform:
• Forward 1 ½ somersaults on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Inward somersaults on 1-meter; back dives on 1-meter and 3-meter
• Backward somersaults on 1-meter;
• Forward line-ups on 5-meter platform.
Once all of the lessons skills are mastered, divers are ready to move up to the Developmental Team where they learn the remaining dives required for their respective age-groups and are introduced to competition.
High School/Middle School Lessons (14+)
This group of recreational athletes enjoys all of the benefits of learning new dives and staying fit in a low-impact environment focused on high school competitions but is eligible to attend AAU invitational and championship meets.
PROGRAMS
MASTERS PROGRAM
This group of athletes is open to former divers looking to regain some championship form, beginner divers who always wanted to try diving, and people looking for some purpose for their fitness regimens. There are numerous USD Masters competitions including two national championships positioned in the Spring and Summer. There is nothing like a Master’s Diving meet or Master’s divers for that perfect combination of fitness and fun.
PRACTICE TIMES
Master’s practices take place over the lunch hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:45-1:15.
PRICING
$50/ $70 per month (HFFA members/ non-members)
Please print this form and bring it into the facility.
COMPETITIVE TEAMS
Teams require a yearlong commitment with training goals established at the beginning of each season. Movement up in the team levels is determined by the coaching staff, but generally follows USA Diving’s championship format – those divers who qualify for the Regional and Zone level meets are on the age-group team, those who qualify for National preliminaries are on Pre-Elite team and Junior National Semi-finalists and finalists are on the Elite Team.
All team members receive dry-land training in our belt systems over the dry-board or trampoline, water training on 1-meter and 3-meter springboards and platforms, and a structured conditioning program with our strength and conditioning coach.
Team participation is by invitation only. Those with advanced relevant experience may apply for team membership.
All team members receive dry-land training in our belt systems over the dry-board or trampoline, water training on 1-meter and 3-meter springboards and platforms, and a structured conditioning program with our strength and conditioning coach.
Team participation is by invitation only. Those with advanced relevant experience may apply for team membership.
