Tri-Valley Divers · Livermore, CA
Team
Handbook
Your guide to practices, policies, and the Fun First culture that makes Tri-Valley Divers home.
What's Inside
Everything you need to know about training, policies, and being part of the team.
About Tri-Valley Divers
A youth diving organization in Livermore, California — built on a simple idea: kids grow more when sports are fun first.
There's more to sport than competition and results.
What separates Tri-Valley Divers is our approach of putting fun at the forefront of how we operate. We aim to work hard, but also play hard — eliminating many of the pressures commonly associated with youth sports.
Beyond this, we offer excellent professional coaching. We use the Long Term Athlete Development Model to help every athlete reach their greatest potential, and we strive to instill a lifelong love for diving.
Vision, Mission & Core Values
The compass that guides everything we do, from a diver's first lesson to their final meet.
To build a community of young athletes who love diving.
To shift mindsets by focusing on our process and having fun first.
Have fun. Work hard, play hard. Acknowledge the value of every athlete as a person.
Meet Your Coaches
Full-time, professionally certified coaches who know every diver by name — and by goal.
Owner · Program Director
Logan Champion
Founded Tri-Valley Divers in 2022. Former Developmental Program Director at Santa Clara Diving Club. President of the Northern California Diving Association and USA Diving Region 10 Representative. Competed at UC Davis — 2003 PCSC Male Diver of the Year.
Head Coach
Monte Young
A lifelong Livermore native who has been coaching since 1983 — the cornerstone of Tri-Valley diving for over four decades. Head coach of the Las Positas College team since its founding in 2011.
Assistant Coach
Laina Stifter
A standout high school diver and current freshman at Las Positas College, studying early childhood education on her way to becoming a teacher. Coaches both gymnastics and diving, bringing dual-sport experience and a natural rapport with young athletes.
How to Join the Team
No age or skill level restrictions. The only requirement: be able to comfortably swim unassisted in deep water.
Fill Out the Questionnaire
Complete our short new-member questionnaire to tell us a bit about your diver and what you're looking for.
Attend a Free "Try It Out" Class
Come on deck and experience a practice. All are welcome — no experience required.
Complete Online Registration
Once your free class wraps up, we'll send step-by-step instructions to finish enrollment online.
Swim requirement
The only participation requirement is the ability to comfortably swim unassisted in deep water. There are no age or skill-level restrictions otherwise — beginners, transfers, and experienced divers are all welcome.
What to Bring · First-Day Checklist
A few simple things to pack before your diver's first practice. When in doubt, ask a coach on deck — we've all been the new family.
Pack These
- Swim suit. One-piece for girls; jammers or a speedo for boys.
- Towel & shammy. Two towels are smart — one for in between dives, one for the drive home.
- Water bottle. Practices are 90 minutes; hydration matters even though you're in the pool.
- Athletic clothing for dryland. Weather appropriate shorts, t-shirt, and clean indoor shoes for warmups and trampoline.
Leave at Home
- Jewelry. Earrings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces aren't safe on the boards or in the pool.
- Loose-fitting suits or board shorts. Anything baggy creates drag and can come off mid-dive.
- Phones on deck. Phones stay in bags during practice. Coaches will reach you if there's an emergency.
- Gum or candy. Choking hazard around the pool — please save it for the car.
ArrivalGetting to practice
We train at Las Positas College in Livermore. Park in the main lot near the aquatic center and walk in through the deck entrance. Plan to arrive 5–10 minutes early so your diver has time to change, stretch, and be on deck at the start of practice.
Program Structure
A training pathway for every stage — from a diver's very first jump to their pathway to the NCAA.
Program 01Future Champions
Designed for divers ages 13 and under who are ready to start their diving journey. Structured, multi-level skill progression that emphasizes safety, strong fundamentals, and long-term development. Whether your child is brand new, moving up from our Summer Dive Camps, or starting with some athletic experience, Future Champions provides the perfect balance of challenge and support to build confidence, master proper technique, and prepare for future competitive opportunities. Families can choose between 1, 2, or 4 practices per week to fit their schedule.
Program 02High School
For divers ages 14 and up focused on competing at the varsity level. Advanced grade-7 and grade-8 divers may also join. Training is primarily on the 1-meter springboard to prepare athletes for high school competition. Practices emphasize technical refinement, consistency, and competition readiness. Families can choose between 1, 2, or 4 practices per week to fit their schedule.
Program 03Junior Olympic
An invitation-only group for dedicated athletes who demonstrate the skill, commitment, and mindset to compete at the highest levels of USA Diving. Built to prepare divers for NCAA Division 1 collegiate competition. Training includes 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform events, guided by the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model. Divers are expected to attend all designated competitions to remain eligible.
Program 04Summer Dive Camps
The perfect introduction to the sport of springboard diving for kids ages 6–13. Focused on building confidence, body control, and basic diving skills in a supportive, age-appropriate environment. Each week-long session mixes dryland and in-water instruction for a well-rounded foundation — while keeping things engaging and exciting. No experience necessary; just a love for the water. Registration opens in the spring — visit our Summer Dive Camps page for more information.
Practice Schedule & Closures
A condensed look at the weekly rhythm and the holidays and breaks families need on the calendar. Full schedule lives at trivalleydivers.com/practice-schedule.
← Scroll to see all days →
Club Closures
No practice on the holidays and extended breaks listed below. Dues are not prorated for these closures.
- Labor DayMon · Sep 1, 2025
- HalloweenFri · Oct 31, 2025
- Veterans DayTue · Nov 11, 2025
- Thanksgiving BreakNov 24 – 30, 2025
- Winter BreakDec 22, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- MLK Jr. DayMon · Jan 19, 2026
- Presidents DayMon · Feb 16, 2026
- Memorial DayMon · May 25, 2026
- Independence DaySat · Jul 4, 2026
- Summer BreakDates TBD
Closures & Make-upsIf practice is cancelled
The pool is shared with Las Positas College, so closures occasionally fall outside our control (campus events, mechanical issues, weather). When that happens we'll notify families by email. Make-up classes are offered for unexpected club closures only — see the Make-Up Policy in Chapter 10.
Staying in Touch
Email is how we keep the team running. Here's what to expect and where to send your questions.
What to expectEmail is our primary channel
All club communications — closures, meet logistics, schedule changes, billing — go out by email, so please make sure the address you registered with is one you check daily. We aim to respond to family emails within 2 business days. Coaches typically don't reply during practice hours (afternoons & evenings); for urgent same-day issues, please text the appropriate coach directly. For coaching, training, and athlete development questions, email Coach Logan at coachlogan@trivalleydivers.com.
Memberships & Fees
A quick snapshot of the one-time and annual fees every diver needs to get on deck.
One-Time · Per Family
Registration Fee
$100one-time
A one-time $100 registration fee per family is paid by all new members upon initial registration.
Annual · Per Athlete
USA Diving Membership
$40per year
USA Diving is our primary insurance provider — all members are required to maintain a current membership. Memberships are valid through the calendar year and must be renewed before January 1.
Annual · Per Athlete
AAU Diving Membership
$16per year
Many of the meets we attend are AAU-sanctioned, so all members also need a current AAU Diving membership.
Club Policies
The guardrails that keep things fair and predictable for every family in the program.
Make-Up Policy
Make-up classes are only offered for unexpected club closures. No make-ups or refunds are offered for individual scheduling conflicts.
Multi-Athlete Discount
Families with multiple athletes in the program receive a 25% discount for each athlete.
Referral Discount
Each referred athlete who joins earns you a 25% discount on next month's dues. Refer 6 members and receive 25% off dues for a full year. Ask them to list your name on registration.
Withdrawal
All memberships are month-to-month. Send withdrawal notice to coachlogan@trivalleydivers.com before the end of the month. Returning members are subject to a new $100 registration fee.
Monthly Dues
Billed automatically at the start of each month by credit or debit card. A $50 late fee is assessed if unpaid by the 15th. Dues are based on a four-week month, include holidays and closures, and are not prorated for partial months.
Extended Leave of Absence
For sickness, injury, or extended leave, dues can be prorated to $50/month for up to three months. After three months, full dues resume to hold a spot.
Scholarships availableRemoving barriers to the sport
In an effort to expand access to diving, Tri-Valley Divers offers a limited number of partial and full scholarships each year. To be eligible, you must be an existing member and show financial hardship. Contact admin@trivalleydivers.com for more information.
Optional · always appreciatedParent volunteers
Tri-Valley Divers has no required parent volunteer commitment. We occasionally host home meets at Las Positas, and when we do, we'll send out a call for help — working the scoring table, running the snack table, setting up and tearing down. Pitching in is a great way to meet other families and see the sport up close, but it's never expected. If you'd like to be on the "happy to help" list, drop a note to admin@trivalleydivers.com.
Safety & Wellness
Athlete safety is our number one priority. Here's how we keep everyone healthy on and off the deck.
CoverageInjuries & Insurance
Our coaching staff makes every effort to create a safe training environment, but accidents can happen. All members receive accident and injury insurance coverage through USA Diving — this coverage is secondary to personal insurance. All members must maintain and offer proof of personal insurance as a condition of membership.
If an injury occurs during Tri-Valley Divers activities, the member must notify a coach immediately. If the injury is serious enough to warrant a possible claim, our coaching staff will complete incident reports and submit them to USA Diving, whose insurance underwriter will then contact the injured member directly.
DispensingMedication
If your child needs to take medication during practice or a competition, it must be brought in its original prescription container. Coaches and staff do not dispense medication, monitor schedules, or assume any responsibility associated with medications.
Keeping the team healthyContagious Illnesses
We ask all parents to be vigilant and considerate about potentially contagious illnesses. If an athlete shows signs or symptoms of sickness, they should not attend practice until they are cleared by a physician or are completely symptom-free. Our coaches monitor athletes throughout practice and will send home anyone showing signs of illness.
Deck accessAthletes Only on the Pool Deck
Only athletes are allowed on the pool deck. All coaches on deck are certified lifeguards and must keep their full attention on athletes on the deck and in the pool. Parents may view practices from the designated viewing areas outside the pool.
SafeSport & Photo Release
Tri-Valley Divers operates as a USA Diving member club and follows the U.S. Center for SafeSport's policies for the protection of every athlete in our program.
Athlete protectionOur SafeSport commitment
All TVD coaches complete USA Diving's required SafeSport training and background screening. We follow the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), including rules around one-on-one interactions, electronic communication, locker rooms, and travel. Every athlete and parent has the right to a safe environment — free of bullying, harassment, hazing, and any form of abuse.
Media & socialPhoto & video release
From time to time we capture photos and short videos at practice and meets to celebrate our divers on social media, the team website, and in promotional materials. By registering, families consent to this use; full names of minors are never published alongside their image. If you'd prefer your athlete not appear in team media, please email admin@trivalleydivers.com when you register and we'll flag the account.
Family rulePhotography on deck
Parents and visitors are welcome to take photos and video of their own diver from the designated viewing areas. Please be considerate of other families and avoid filming athletes you don't know without permission, and never share images of other people's children to social platforms without their parents' consent.
Team Code of Conduct
The purpose of our Code of Conduct is to establish a fun, friendly, safe, and productive environment — and to promote the best possible individual, team, and competitive diving program.
- All participating team members will abide by this code of conduct.
- All members will respect the coaches — including giving them full attention when they are speaking and giving instructions.
- All members will treat each other with respect and have good sportsmanship. Foul language and name-calling are not permitted. Disrespectful, indiscreet, or destructive behavior will not be tolerated.
- Pushing, hitting, kicking, and other intentional unwanted touching or interfering is not permitted.
- Running or other horseplay activity is not allowed.
- All members will arrive at practice and competition activities early enough to start on time.
- All divers will wait inside the training facility until a parent comes in to pick them up. Parents must pick up within 15 minutes of the end of scheduled practice.
- We are a drug-free organization; using alcohol, non-prescription illegal drugs, or tobacco is not permitted.
- Parents, siblings, and friends are not allowed on the pool deck during workouts or at competitions without the coaches' permission.
- All athletes are expected to participate in all designated championship meets for which they are qualified.
- Parents are responsible for their own conduct. Aggressive behavior or language toward any member of the Tri-Valley Divers coaching staff — via email, phone, voicemail, text message, or any other form — will be grounds for immediate termination from the program.
- Parents are responsible for their own personal conduct as well as their children's when representing Tri-Valley Divers at competitions. Coaches only supervise athletes during team-specific events.
- Any curfews issued by coaches at team travel events will be obeyed. Curfew is not enforced if the participant is with parents.
- All participants and their parents share responsibility for upholding this Code of Conduct and helping ensure the safety of program participants.
- All participants are expected to wear designated team suits, T-shirts, and warm-ups during competitions.
- At the discretion of the Program Director and/or coaches, any or all of the penalties below will be applied.
- For General Code of Conduct Rules 2–7, a three-step disciplinary action will be taken. The first offense results in a verbal warning; the second, a time-out or other discipline at the coach's discretion; the third, removal from practice/competition and a change out of uniform, plus a call to a parent.
- A diver may be scratched from competition.
- A diver may be sent home immediately from practice or competition at their own expense.
- A diver may be suspended from the team until they and a parent/guardian have had a conference with the coach and appropriate disciplinary actions have been implemented.
- A diver may be removed completely from the program, with no refunds issued.
Your First Meet
Meets are the part of diving that excites kids and intimidates parents. Here's the lay of the land so the first one feels familiar.
Dive Sheet Confirmed
Divers submit their dive sheet — the ordered list of dives, with positions and degrees of difficulty (DD) — to the meet table.
Warm-Up
Divers arrive ~60 minutes early to check in, stretch, get on the boards, and run through their list with a coach. Parents head to the spectator area.
Competition Rounds
Divers rotate through their list one dive at a time. Three to five judges score each dive 0–10; the high and low scores are dropped, the rest × DD = the dive's points.
Awards & Wrap-Up
Final scores tally, awards are presented, and divers debrief with their coach. Most meets run 1–3 hours total — bring snacks and a book.
For parentsWhat to expect from the spectator area
Cheer for every diver, not just your own — our team stands together regardless of club affiliation. Wait for divers to finish their full list before pulling them aside; coaches need uninterrupted time to debrief between dives. Refrain from coaching from the stands; even well-meaning feedback can throw off focus and conflict with what coaches are working on.
Money mattersEntry fees & travel
Meet entry fees are assessed when you register for a meet and typically run $30–$50 per event depending on the meet. Our competitive divers will also attend travel meets (regionals, zones, nationals), which include additional costs for hotel and transport.
Required gearWhat divers wear
Per our Code of Conduct, all divers compete in designated team suits, t-shirts, and warm-ups. Hair tied back, no jewelry, and bring a shammy if you have one. Phones and bags stay in the team tent or designated athlete area — not on deck.
Glossary refresherTerms you'll hear
Dive sheet — the ordered list of dives a diver will perform. DD (degree of difficulty) — a multiplier reflecting how hard a dive is; harder dives can earn more points but cost more on a miss. Balk — starting and stopping a dive; results in a 2-point deduction per judge. Failed dive — wrong position or wrong dive; scored zero. The next chapter has the full glossary.
Diving Glossary
A quick visual primer on the vocabulary divers and coaches use every day. Show this to grandparents before their first meet.
The Five Dive Groups
The Four Body Positions
Other Terms You'll Hear
Questions? We're here.
This handbook is a starting point — not the last word. Reach out any time, and welcome to the team.
Claim a Free Trial Class →Frequently asked
What does my child need to bring to practice?
A swimsuit, swim cap, goggles, a water bottle, and a towel. The What to Bring chapter of the handbook covers everything for the first day.
What is the team's code of conduct?
Athletes are expected to arrive on time, respect coaches and teammates, follow safety rules, and represent Tri-Valley Divers positively at meets. Full details are in the Team Code of Conduct chapter.
How do I get in touch with my child's coach?
The Staying in Touch chapter lists contact details for every coach plus the team's primary communication channels.
What happens if my child misses a practice?
Let your coach know in advance when possible. The Memberships & Fees chapter explains the make-up policy and how dues work for missed sessions.
How does Tri-Valley Divers handle safety?
The Safety & Wellness chapter covers emergency procedures, injury policies, and on-deck rules. Tri-Valley Divers is also a SafeSport-compliant program.