How to Revamp Competitive Diving in the US

Bring Back U.S. Diving: A Blueprint for Reclaiming Global Competitiveness

For decades, the United States was a dominant force in international diving. But over the past 20 years, countries like China, Great Britain, and Russia have surged ahead by implementing centralized systems, deep investments in coaching and athlete support, and well-structured youth pipelines. The U.S., on the other hand, has struggled with fragmentation. Our athletes move from high school to club to college with no cohesive development path. Coaching standards vary wildly, resources are unevenly distributed, and many of our most promising athletes exit the sport far too early.

It’s time to rebuild American diving. But how?

The Problem

• No national development pipeline

• Inconsistent coaching standards and techniques

• Limited support for club-level athletes

• Underutilized sports science and technology

• High dropout rate post-college

• Low public visibility and cultural awareness

A Six-Part Solution

While some of the following strategies are already being implemented by certain programs, their impact will only be fully realized when they are adopted more broadly across the U.S. diving community. 

1. Build a Centralized National Development Pipeline

Create a "USA Diving Academy" model with regional training hubs that identify and develop athletes from ages 6 to 10. Leverage gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline, and acrobatics programs as feeder systems. These regional hubs should offer year-round training, scholarships, nutrition and mental coaching, and access to elite coaching.

While there was once a USA Diving National Training Center model (previously in Indianapolis), it has faded due to a combination of funding limitations, leadership turnover, and a lack of sustained infrastructure investment. Reviving this concept will require a more flexible and regionalized approach.

Implementation:

• Develop 4 to 6 regional “USA Diving Academies” in partnership with large existing club programs and university facilities.

• Use feeder sports (gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling) to scout talent ages 6 to 10.

• Offer full or partial scholarships to promising athletes based on need and potential.

• Partner with state and local governments to secure space and grant funding.

• Establish a dedicated oversight committee to ensure consistency in coaching and progression.

Without early, structured development, U.S. athletes fall behind in form, control, and technical refinement by the time they reach senior competition level.

2. Standardize Coaching Education Nationwide

Develop a tiered national certification system through USA Diving that includes:

• Consistent technical models

• Applied biomechanics

• Injury prevention

• Mental skills coaching

• Coaching mentorship

• Video-based review and evaluation

Implementation:

• Launch a USA Diving National Coaching Certification Pathway (Level 1 to Level 4).

• Provide hybrid education: live clinics, Zoom-based coursework, and a national video database.

• Require certification for all coaches leading national-level qualifiers.

• Establish a mentorship network pairing experienced coaches with developing ones.

Inconsistency in technical instruction leads to performance gaps. Certification raises the national standard and gives young coaches a roadmap.

3. Increase Support for Club-Level Athletes

Establish:

• Annual grants for athletes and clubs

• Shared access to dryland spaces, trampolines, dryboards, and foam pits

• Regional elite training camps with travel support

• Access to video replay systems and mental coaching

Implementation:

• Create a USA Diving Foundation to offer financial aid to clubs and athletes.

• Provide annual stipends or microgrants to promising athletes based on need.

• Fund regional training camps with elite clinicians and shared equipment.

• Offer club toolkits with dryland setup guides, strength programs, and video tech recommendations.

Many athletes leave the sport due to burnout, cost, or lack of facilities. Talent should not be lost because of economic barriers.

4. Integrate Sports Science and Technology

Partner with university research labs and private companies to introduce:

• Motion capture and force plate data

• Video delay systems

• AI-assisted form analysis

• Recovery and performance tracking apps

• Biomechanics and mental training clinics for clubs

Implementation:

• Pilot biomechanics testing at elite camps with university partners.

• Install replay systems at regional hubs.

• Launch a national movement database using AI to flag technical errors.

• Offer webinars and clinics for coaches and athletes.

• Provide access to mental health and sports psychology services.

Precision wins medals. China and Great Britain are already using real-time data and sports science to fine-tune takeoffs, rotations, and entries.

5. Retain NCAA and Post-College Athletes

Establish:

• High-performance training hubs at major universities

• Athlete stipends and flexible academic or career pathways

• Partnerships with brands and donors to extend training support

Implementation:

• Collaborate with NCAA programs to launch post-collegiate training centers.

• Offer stipends and housing support for national team athletes.

• Build flexible part-time work or education opportunities.

• Recruit private sponsors to support elite diver careers.

The U.S. often loses its most promising athletes just as they hit their peak. Retention matters.

6. Make Diving Visible and Culturally Relevant

Promote:

• Athlete stories on social media and YouTube

• Livestreamed competitions with commentary and highlights

• Short-form training and performance clips

• NIL opportunities and personal brand building

Implementation:

• Build a USA Diving media team to produce engaging content.

• Stream every national-level meet with behind-the-scenes footage.

• Collaborate with creators and lifestyle brands to showcase diving.

Kids won’t dream of being what they never see.

A Note on Funding

USA Diving must pursue partnerships with commercial brands, grantmakers, and local government sports commissions. Diving is cinematic. It is visual. It is marketable. The aesthetic appeal of diving makes it a natural fit for storytelling and sponsorship.

Target brand partnerships: GoPro, Red Bull, Lululemon, On Running, Nike Swim.

A USA Diving Foundation should serve as a centralized body for donor campaigns and tax-deductible giving to support stipends, facilities, and educational content.

The Real Challenge: Funding, Manpower, and Momentum

The truth is, even with a clear plan, we’re starting from a place of limited resources. USA Diving has tried to make progress, but progress is slow when the system lacks funding, manpower, and cohesive leadership.

Why We’re Stuck:

• Chronic underfunding for grassroots and pilot efforts

• Coach burnout and high turnover

• Limited media coverage and athlete visibility

• No unified national voice or strategy

But we don’t need to overhaul everything at once. We need to start smart.

How Do We Move Forward?

1. Pilot One or Two Regional Hubs

Use a successful club or NCAA partner as a proof of concept. Collect data, elevate surrounding clubs, and experiment with training and tech integration.

2. Assemble a National Task Force

Build a small team of coaches, former athletes, scientists, and marketers to:

• Set realistic short-term goals

• Audit assets (facilities, coaches, volunteers)

• Coordinate outreach and donor communication

3. Launch a Targeted Fundraising Campaign

Raise $250K to launch 1–2 hubs and an online coaching education platform. Use:

• Olympian networks

• Brand sponsorships

• Local partnerships with tax incentives

4. Recruit College Interns and Former Athletes

Tap into kinesiology departments and recently retired athletes for low-cost, high-impact roles: assistant coaching, video analysis, and athlete support.

5. Build a Free Coaching Resource Hub

Until we can afford certification platforms, create a free online library with technique videos, monthly clinics, and downloadable guides. (I'll let you in on a little secret: that, above all else, is the purpose of this site.😉 ) 

Inspiring Change in a Quiet Sport

We can’t talk about rebuilding diving without talking about storytelling. To grow, we need to inspire. Diving is art, risk, power, and beauty. It deserves the same emotional investment and cultural attention as gymnastics or figure skating.

Short clips. Slow-motion highlights. Athlete voices. Training diaries. These are how we build a following and attract the next generation of athletes, coaches, and supporters.

Where Do We Go From Here?

This blueprint is not just a vision. It’s a launchpad. If you believe U.S. diving deserves more, you can help ignite the change.

Start with these five steps:

1. Form a Core Team

Bring together 3 to 5 passionate people. A coach. A diver. A web designer. A fundraiser. Just get started.

2. Choose One Launch Goal

Start small. Pilot one hub. Raise a targeted fund. Build a resource library. Don’t wait for the entire mountain to move.

3. Build a Central Website or Landing Page

Outline the mission. Offer a way to get involved. Gather emails and donations. Keep it lean and useful.

4. Package the Story

Create your own pitch, collaborate with others on ideas. Record a 90-second video. Get others excited.

5. Build in Public

Post updates. Share wins. Let people see the process and feel part of it. Transparency builds trust.

A Final Note

This article exists to be a roadmap for whoever is ready to lead the first step. U.S. diving doesn't need another ten years of waiting for the perfect plan. It needs action, even if it’s imperfect. If you're reading this and thinking, “I could help with that”, you’re already part of the solution. Revitalizing U.S. diving is not about copying China or mimicking Britain’s system. It’s about building a uniquely American approach that leverages our creativity, diversity, and athletic depth. With structure, support, and visibility, we can reclaim our place on the podium. Let this be the first conversation in something that lasts.

Thoughts? Share them here!