Learn to dive

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I’m new to diving

Diving is a great way to improve balance, coordination and confidence, combining strength and flexibility to leap and spring into the water.

Here at Cambridge Learn to Dive we offer you the chance to try all this in a fun, relaxed and friendly environment through our regular weekly sessions.

Further down this page you can also read more about the special weekly holiday camps we run at Easter and Summer to give plenty of opportunities for young people in our community to learn new skills in a fun environment.

Sign up to a free taster session with using the link below or click the link at the bottom of this page to enquire about holiday camps..

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Childrens’ Learn To Dive
For 5 to 14 year olds

The Learn to Dive Programme sessions follow a clearly defined structure in line with British Diving directives and is the feeder programme for the Cambridge Dive Team.

There are six levels in the Programme, with specific key skills in each level. All divers will start with basic body control, introducing shapes and jumps off the poolside, as well as forward and backward rolls into the water. Working through the levels, divers progress to hand first entries, jumps off the 1m and 3m springboards, as well as the 5m platform. By level seven divers will be performing forward and backward dives off the springboards.

Our coaching scheme follows a twelve week cycle all year round. Skill assessments are continual and we also hold formal assessments, to ensure that your child is placed in the best group. We want to ensure that all divers achieve their full potential and of course to have fun along the way. Divers are not expected to pass a level after every coaching cycle, we can move children both up and down through the levels.

Members can view their LTD progress online, showing individual skills passed within a level. Coaches will write comments at the beginning of each twelve week cycle which aim to provide each individual child, focused help and guidance. Upon completion of level six the diver can progress to competitive diving with the Cambridge Dive Team, working on more complex skills.

Please note that a diver may only participate in LTD level one for a maximum of two terms. If a diver is struggling with the basic fundamentals of diving, future progression and development is limited. Confidence, age, co-ordination, physicality and mental maturity are all characteristics that will affect whether a child has the ability to achieve the level one skills.

Bravery is a big part of diving and we work closely with our divers to build the confidence and commitment they need to succeed. We will never ask a diver to attempt a skill that is outside of their capabilities or is unsafe. All lessons are coached by Swim England qualified coaches.

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Our LTD Administration Team

For Learn To Dive (LTD) and waiting list queries please email our administrator, Liz Milligan liz@cambridgediving.org.uk

For payment enquiries send an email to Daria Daria@cambridgediving.org.uk

Susie

susie@cambridgediving.org.uk

Daria

Daria@cambridgediving.org.uk

Children fees

(see further down the page for adults and older teens)

Programme	Duration	Monthly Fee
Children's LTD levels 1-5	30 minute session once a week	£33.00
Children's LTD level 6	60 minute session once a week	£60.00

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Learn To Dive Skills

You will progress through 6 different skill levels . Use the arrow buttons below to view the skills you will learn in each level

LTD Level 1	Board	Description
Forward jump straight	1m	Start standing facing forward, jump up and into the water whilst maintaining straight line shape throughout.
Forward jump tuck	p/s	From a standing start with straight line posture, jump forward into the air, bend the knees pull them in to the chest with hands on lower shins, before kicking back out to a straight shape for entry.
Forward pike fall	1m	Standing folded at the hips with hands grabbed arms covering ears, lift up on to toes and fall forwards into the water moving through a straight vertical line.
Back circle	p/s	In the water, push off poolside reach arms back keep chin up and go round in a back somersault with straight legs.
Backwards jump straight	p/s	Start standing in a straight line facing backwards, jump up and backwards into the water whilst maintaining a straight line throughout.

LTD Level 2	Board	Description
Backwards jump tuck	p/s	Start standing in a straight line facing backwards, jump backward in to the air, bending the knees pulling them into the chest with hands on lower shins, before kicking back out to a straight shape for entry.
Forward jump pike	p/s	From a standing straight line posture, jump forward into the air, fold at the hips to reach forward and touch the toes keeping legs straight, before opening out into the straight line entry position.
Forward dive straight	p/s	Start standing in a straight line facing forwards, bend the knees whilst keeping the chest high. Strong push into the air and maintain a straight shape throughout the air and into the water.
Back dive straight from crouched	p/s	Start facing backwards and fully crouched. Strong push up into the air whilst reaching the arms backwards into the water.
Forward pike fall	1m	Standing folded at the hip with a slight rounded back. Hands grabbed arms covering ears, lift up on to toes and fall forwards into the water moving through a straight vertical line.
Backwards piked roll	p/s	Start standing backwards. Fold at the hips and grab behind the ankles whilst keeping the legs straight. Lift up on your tiptoes and roll backwards into the water.

LTD Level 3	Board	Description
Forward jump straight	3m	Start standing facing forward, jump up and into the water whilst maintaining straight line shape throughout.
Forward dive tuck	p/s	Start standing facing forwards, dive up and forward into the air. Make a tuck shape whilst parrallel to the water. Sharply exit the tuck shape to make a straight line as you enter the water.
Backwards jump straight	1m	Start standing in a straight line facing backwards , jump up and backwards into the water whilst maintaining straight line throughout.
Backward jump tuck with armswing	p/s	Start standing backwards with the arms behind the ears. Circle the arms all the way back to the ears and jump up and backwards. Make a tight tuck shape and sharply exit the shape into a straight line for the water.
Backward dive straight from standing	p/s	Start facing backwards. Strong dive up and backwards into the air whilst reaching the arms backwards into the water. Maintain a slight arch through the air, then circling the body whilst going through the water.
Forwards piked wedge	p/s	Start standing forwards. Jump up and forwards whilst rotating forwards. Make a pike shape with the head in and land on your head and feet at the same time and roll under the water.

LTD Level 4	Board	Description
Forward dive tuck	1m	Start standing facing forwards, dive up and forward into the air. Make a tuck shape whilst parrallel to the water. Sharply exit the tuck shape to make a straight line as you enter the water.
Backward jump straight with armswing	1m	Start standing backwards with the arms behind the ears. Circle the arms all the way back to the ears and jump up and backwards. Maintain a straight line throughout the air and the water.
Backward dive straight with armswing	p/s	Start facing backwards. Circle the arms all the way back to the ears and dive up and backwards into the air whilst reaching the arms backwards into the water. Maintain a slight arch through the air, then circling the body whilst going through the water.
Forward pike fall	3m	Standing folded at the hip with a slight rounded back. Hands grabbed arms covering ears, lift up on to toes and fall forwards into the water moving through a straight vertical line.
Inward pike wedge	p/s	Start standing backwards. Jump up and backwards whilst rotating forwards. Make a pike shape with the head in and land on your head and feet at the same time and roll under the water.
Backwards straight fall	1m	Start standing backwards on the board. Hands grabbed above the head and arms behind the ears. Lift up on the toes and maintain a straight line as you fall into the water onto the hands.

LTD Level 5	Board	Description
Forward jump straight	5m	Start standing facing forward, jump up and into the water whilst maintaining straight line shape throughout.
Backward jump straight with armswing	3m	Start standing backwards with the arms behind the ears. Circle the arms all the way back to the ears and jump up and backwards. Maintain a straight line throughout the air and the water.
Reverse pike sit	p/s	Start facing forwards. Circle the arms all the way back to the ears and jump up and forwards. Lift the legs up and grab the toes. Landing in a sitting v shape.
Backward fall straight	3m	Start standing backwards on the board. Hands grabbed above the head and arms behind the ears. Lift up on the toes and maintain a straight line as you fall into the water onto the hands.
Backward pike sit	p/s	Start facing backwards. Circle the arms all the way back to the ears and jump up and forwards. Lift the legs up and grab the toes. Landing in a sitting v shape.
Forward tuck roll	3m	Start sitting forwards in a tuck shape on the end of the board. Roll forward and straighten out sharply. Grab the hands and hit the water in a straight line. Roll through the water.

LTD Level 6	Board	Description
Forward dive tuck	3m	Start standing facing forwards, dive up and forward into the air. Make a tuck shape whilst parrallel to the water. Sharply exit the tuck shape to make a straight line as you enter the water.
Forward dive tuck with armswing	1m	Start standing forwards with the arms behind the ears. Circle the arms all the way back to the ears and dive up and forward. Make a tuck shape whilst parrallel to the water. Sharply exit the tuck shape to make a straight line as you enter the water.
Inward dive tuck	3m	Start standing backwards. A strong jump backwards whilst rotating forwards. Make a tuck shape whilst parrallel to the water. Sharply exit the tuck shape to make a straight line as you enter the water.
Backward fall arms down	3m	Start standing backwards on the board. Hands on top of the thighs. Lift up on the toes and maintain a straight line as you fall towards the water. Quickly reach the arms back behind the ears and grab the hands. Maintain a tight shape through the water.
Back dive tuck with armswing	1m	Start standing backwards. Circle the arms all the way back up to the ears and dive up and backwards. Lift the knees up to your chest and make a tight tuck shape. Kick out and make a straight shape just before hitting the water. Maintain a straight line as you enter the water.

Teens and Adults LTD

You’re never to old to start!

As part of the club’s Learn to Dive program, we offer sessions for anyone aged 15 upwards and adults. These are fun, relaxed sessions and where you will have the opportunity to try out the different boards at Parkside Pools. If you’re a complete beginner, our qualified coaches will help you learn new skills in a supportive environment. For those with a bit more experience, our coaches will help you improve your diving, guiding you through skill chains to achieve your own goals!

Joining our teens and adults’ sessions is a great way to meet new people and we encourage you to sign up as a club member where possible so you can join in on all the other activities and socials the club offers.

We also offer a discounted student rate for Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University student members.

Our fees for adults and teens

Programme	Duration	Monthly Fee
Teens LTD	45 minute session once a week	£45.00
Adults LTD	60 minute session once a week	£36.00

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Timetables

Children	Day	Time
	Wednesdays	4.30pm - 6.00pm
	Fridays	4.30pm - 7.10pm
	Sundays	4.05pm - 5.35pm

Teens and Adults	Day	Time
	Tuesdays (Adults)	8.30pm - 9.30pm
	Thursdays (Teens)	8.15pm - 9.00pm

Important Notes

All individual sessions within our “Children’s Learn To Dive” programme last 30 minutes with a short changeover time between each session. Exact timings for your own session will be confirmed when your enrollment in the lesson programme is completed. Timings will vary according to both availability and your skill level within the programme.

“Teens” and “Adult” Learn to Dive sessions are 45 and 60 minutes long resepctively. We currently run one session per week for Teens whilst adults can choose from one of two sessions according to availability..

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Upcoming holiday camps

We run camps with daily classes for children aged 5-14 in the Easter and Summer holidays.

They are a great way for children to have fun , learn new skills and get some exercise during holiday times. These are open to current members and those who have never dived before. Click here to find out more, or complete our simple enquiry form to be notified when bookings open for our next camps or to check the costs.

Enquire about camps

Learn to dive

I’m new to diving