for the
Deaf and Blind
|
Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind |
|
| Diving Team |
| HCDB
has had a diving team in one form or another since the winter of 2001,
when second-year upper school teacher Jeff Stabile offered to
coach anyone who wanted to try the sport. The first student to "break the ice" was a junior named Michael, who in one short month went from his first lesson to placing third in the OIA championships. The OIA coordinator insisted he had qualified for states by virtue of his performance, but sadly, the state coordinator disagreed. Nevertheless, Michael did an outstanding job and really showed the Hawaii High School Diving Community what the Deaf can do! Michael again dived in the 2002 season until he found out he was too old to be able to compete interscholastically. Jeff brought a trampoline and spotting rig to HCDB's campus in the fall of 2002, an addition to the campus that excited many and spawned new interest in acrobatic sports. Part of the Elementary P.E. program now includes tumbling and trampoline. A year later, there were two high schoolers, Napali and Trey, and a young group of elementary students -- including current students Myer and BJ -- started diving as well, and four of them participated in the 2004 Aloha State Games, each bringing home a medal! The next fall several more divers participated. We also competed in dual meets against another local youth club operating out of UH-Manoa. 2005 saw BJ, Norinston, and Myer win medals at the Aloha State Games as well as BJ's first foray to the mainland to compete in the Regional Championships, where he won a medal and was two places away from moving on to the West Championships. In 2006, BJ and Norinston worked very hard during the summer and qualified for the AAU National Championships. Each one made the finals in his events, earned All-American Status, and brought home medals. In the Fall of 2006, HCDB had six participants in diving. However, cold weather along with some burnout led to the program temporarily ceasing operations until the spring time. Loyal BJ rmeained the only diver through the summer, but emerged with two gold medals at the recent 2007 Aloha State Games. In the Fall of 2007, HCDB started a Trampoline and Diving Class for the first time, with BJ and Myer being joined by Edmond and Gino (who participates in Special Olympics on Wednesdays and only does the trampoline part). The four students performed an exhibition of their bouncing skills recently for the Upper School. All three of the students who participate in the diving part have already learned a high school-level list, and Edmond, being the only high schooler involved, is looking at joining the interscholastic diving team, and we hope to have more soon! |
| HCDB Diving Class/Team Activities January 31, 2008 Update:
Welcome to Gino, who has joined the after-school diving team!
He has learned 4 skills and 2 dives so far, and is progressing
well! Hopefully, we can get him into a competition soon! BJ
is getting ready for the USA Diving Region 10 meet on March 8-9, in
Portland, Oregon, where he will hopefully qualify to the USA Diving
West National Championships!
Mr. Steve Laraccuente has also asked the diving team to participate in the SPIN Conference in April, and we are working out details for their participation. Past News: The HCDB Diving Class performed an exhibition of trampoline skills for the Upper School on November 21. Their classmates were thrilled by their abilities to spin and twist, and the degree of control they showed. The class' members explained their daily routine as well as the importance of warming up, stretching out, and reviewing their basics on an ongoing-basis. They made it an educational as well as entertaining experience for everyone involved. On December 15, BJ and Coach Jeff (the only two HCDB divers currently involved on the club scene as well) participated in the Hawaii Diving Association Winter Championships. Both came home with multiple medals and did some very impressive dives. BJ in particular was outstanding, performing 6 newly-learned dives (inward 1 1/2 somersaults pike on the 1M, back 1 1/2 somersaults straight on the 3M, back dive pike on the 5M, and front 1 1/2 somersaults with 1 1/2 twists free on all three levels!). He also earned his first-ever judge's score of "8," on his front lineup from the 5M. Next up on the Diving Class' agenda is the Final Exam Intra-Class Meet. The class' members have all learned a competitive list of dives, and will be participating in a competition to show off what they've learned. The meet will be videotaped, so we will try to get it posted on here! |
| HCDB Diving Team Showz Mad
Skillz |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| BJ starts an inward somersault. | BJ comes off the board | BJ rotating. | BJ prepares to come out. | BJ enters the water. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Coach Jeff does a back dive. | Coach Jeff about to enter the water. | Coach Jeff flies through the air. | Where's the rest of him? | 2007 Aloha State Games Medalists, including BJ and Coach Jeff. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| BJ stands confidently on the 3M board. | BJ starts to tuck. | BJ twists. | BJ watches Coach Jeff twist. | BJ wins gold! |