You may or may not know that one of my true passions in life is springboard diving. I did it in high school and was on a US Club team up until college. Then I dove at BYU up until about 1/2 way through my sophomore year when I had a BIG crash. I mean BIG!!! I was doing a back 2 1/2 in the tuck position off of the 3m board (the high dive) and only made it to 2 1/4. So...I hit the water on my shoulders, still in a tuck, my head went into my knees from the force and momentum which caused me to get 2 black eyes and a concussion. Anyway, after that mishap, I decided to put my focus into my major and leave the boards behind. I literally haven't been on a diving board since, so it's been about 8 years.I tried to go diving at random community pools after BYU, but they never let you do anything that uses a real diving approach because it's kinda like a double bounce, and of course they don't let you do backs, inwards, gainers, or twisters. So, I had kinda given up on it. My hope was reborn when I noticed they opened the pool that is one block from our apartment. It just has a regular 1m springboard, but that's better than nothing, so last week I inquired about what was "allowed" off the board. I held my breath, expecting to hear the same old rules, but instead, I got my dream answer, "as long as the lifeguards can tell you know what you're doing, you can do whatever you want!" I was so excited, I think I skipped the whole way home!
So, this past week, I pulled out my speedo and headed over. I was a bit embarrassed...a 28 year old in a speedo really stands out among a bunch of summer camp kids, but I didn't care. I ended up spending 3 hours on Tuesday and another 3 hours today diving my heart out! To my surprise, things are coming back quicker than I thought. Muscle memory is an amazing thing. And, without any pressure to do anything in particular, just doing it because I love it, it is so, so, so enjoyable. The passion has been reignited! I have a month before the pool closes again, so I have a feeling I'm going to be a regular there for the month of August.
Maybe at the end of August, I'll let Ryan come take some video and post it. We'll see!
9 comments:
I completely forgot you are a diver!!! I could never be one...I think it is way too scary. I think it takes a certain type of mind to allow your body to even try such things.
So glad you're back diving. Maybe you could be an olympian!! Are you thinking 2012?!
That's my little Laurel, she always gets right back on the horse! (All right not quite right back...) That just reminded me about the ill faded Vegas, horse incident. So sad. Be safe this time.
Be careful you don't head over to the pool too often or you may bring back the Laurel chlorine smell.
Laurel, you are awesome! I love your determination! Please post a video if you get the chance, I never got yo see you dive.
Your trip looked AMAZING, and I'm so jealous.
Miss you!
I am so proud of you!!!!!!! Your #1 fan!
Trisha's comment just made me laugh out loud.
OH, the diving days. Glad they're back. At least for the month of August!
That is so great that you are diving again. I would love to see some video. I bet you're awesome. By the way, thanks for your last comment on the baby bump. I was putting it up to be a little ironic because even though I had gotten a little bigger, I really didn't think you could see it at all in that picture! So thanks for validating me:)
This is awesome Laurel! I think Ryan definitely needs to get it on video - and post it.
Wow, I had forgotten how bad that crash was. Glad you are back in the saddle and enjoying every minute of it. Love you!
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