Tom Daley Diving Academy
Tom Daley Diving Academy
The Tom Daley Diving Academy is our Learn to Dive programme, in partnership with Olympic Medallist Diver Tom Daley. The programme is designed for all ages and abilities wanting to take up this exciting sport.
So whether you have aspirations to follow in Tom’s footsteps, want to learn something new, or just want a new way to keep fit, there has never been a better time to start learning to dive.
Our courses are available in 3 formats:
- A rolling programme that allows customers to join at any stage and progress at their own pace, attending one lesson a week. These lessons operate for 50 weeks of the year, with a short break over the Christmas period
- We also offer intensive courses for Juniors during the holiday periods
- 1:1 Coaching for adults and children, please contact diving@gll.org to book your 1:1's
Our coaches are trained in talent identification, and at the Tom Daley Diving Academy, we create fast-track pathways into competitive club programmes for those with the ambition and ability to make it to the top.
Kid's Taster Sessions: Has your child throught about giving diving a go? We offer Kid's Taster sessions to see if your child has what it takes to be a successful at diving.
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Kid's Taster Sessions: Has your child throught about giving diving a go? We offer Kid's Taster sessions to see if your child has what it takes to be a successful at diving.
Junior lessons
As long as your child is able to swim competently in deep water, then they can start to learn to dive as young as five years old.
The programme is broken down into the following levels:
The programme is broken down into the following levels:
| Foundation | Our entry level for those first time divers. Here you will learn the basics of diving from poolside |
| Beginner | Building on what you have learnt at foundation level, beginner will teach you new skills with the introduction of diving boards |
| Improver | At this level you will progress to more advanced diving techniques on higher boards |
| Advanced | Here you will learn to master some of the most challenging diving skills |
| Skills | Take the time to perfect your technique and step out of your comfort zone to mater new skills |
Tom Daley 'Splash Down' children's holiday camps
To make sure all children have the chance to give diving a go, we have designed our 'Splash Down' Holiday Camps to teach the diving basics in a fun, safe and supportive environment. Please note the requirements are children aged 6 -15 and they must be able to swim a minimum of 25m and be confident in deep water without goggles.
Adult lessons
You're never too old to try diving. It's fun, exciting and a great way of developing core strength and flexibility. Our adult diving programme is available at London Aquatic Centre and is broken down into the following levels:
| Adult Beginner | If you haven’t dived before or had lessons then this is the start point for you. You'll cover the four basic diving positions. |
| Adult Intermediate | For adults who have either completed the adult beginner course or are able to perform some of the basic dives on the 1m diving platform or springboard. |
| Adult Advanced | This course will help you master a full repertoire of dives and is available for divers aged 16 over who have completed the intermediate level course or are able to perform more complicated dives from the 1 meter and 3 meter boards. |
Progress tracking
Tom Daley Diving Academy provides an online tool - our Home Portal - that helps you to track your progress or your child's progress in the pool. Once you book a course, it's easy to set up an account using your unique barcode number. Once registered, you'll be able to log in to access information and updates directly from your dive coach. Features include:
- Record of Achievement - clear and regular updates on progress, including achievements and areas for improvement.
- Book Lessons - choose dates, times and level (subject to availability).
- One account for multiple pupils - perfect for schools and families.
- Allowing you to move up to the next class upon successful progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which lessons are offered as part of the Tom Daley Diving Academy at the London Aquatic Centre?
- We offer lessons for children aged 5 and over, up to adults aged 65+ with both group and private 1-2-1 / 2-2-1 lessons available.
- Junior group lessons are Foundation, Beginners and Improvers at 30 minutes per week, as well as Advanced classes at 45 minutes per week. We in addition also have a skills class at 30 minutes per week.
- Adult group lessons are all 45 minutes in duration and we have three pool-based stages available, Beginner, Improver and Advanced, with Diving Dryland Classes also available.
- 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 lessons are arranged on an ad hoc basis, depending on coaching and pool availability.
- On Fridays, we also run an ‘Adult Stunt Diving’ class. This class is booked via taster and assessment and is only for those intending to undertake their British Stunt Register Diving assessments.
- Group lesson run on a 50-week per year timetable, with a two-week break taken over the Christmas period in December/January. This is accounted for in the pricing structure.
When do lessons take place?
- Group lessons take place on weekday evenings from 4:15/4:30pm to 8:15/8:30pm depending on the day. Weekend lessons are available on Sundays between 9am and 2pm.
- 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 lessons are arranged on an ad hoc basis, depending on coaching and pool availability.
Who are lessons for, and how are they split?
- Junior lessons are for those aged between 5 and 15 years of age, with Adult lessons for divers aged 16 years plus.
- All divers must be able to swim 25m unaided and be able to jump into the deep water, becoming fully submerged and climbing out unaided.
- New divers will be required to complete a swim test with a lifeguard before taking part in their lessons. We advise all those interested in starting diving to arrange and attend a free taster session, before signing up for classes.
- Free tasters sessions are used to check potential divers swimming and diving ability. We strongly recommend all new divers to start in Foundation for Juniors and Beginners for Adults. However, those with prior diving, gymnastic or dance experience may be able to be assessed via a taster to enter an Improver class.
How much do diving lessons cost?
- 30-minute Junior Group Lessons: £30 per month
- 45-minute Junior Group Lessons: £35 per month
- Adult Pool Group Lessons: £40 per month
- Adult Dry Diving Group Lessons: £50 per month
- Adult Stunt Diving Group Lesson: £50 per month
- 1-2-1 Lessons: £30 per 30 minutes or £120 for 5 x 30 minute lessons, 2-2-1 Lessons: £52 per 30 minutes
- Concessionary rates are available on Junior group lessons only. Please enquire for further details regarding the eligibility.
How are lessons assessed and how long will a diver spend in each stage?
- Group lessons are assessed on an ongoing basis, with coaches encouraged to assess the skills focused on each week as they are taught. Assessment-only sessions should take place every six to eight weeks with coaches assessing all learned criteria during this session.
How can I join the Tom Daley Diving Academy at the London Aquatic Centre?
- If you would like to join our programme, sign up online to join our Junior Foundation or Adult Beginner stages.
- Taster sessions are used to check potential divers swimming and diving ability. All new divers start in the Foundation level for Juniors and Beginner level for Adults. However, those with prior diving, gymnastic or dance experience may be fast-tracked via a taster to enter an Improver class. Those who wish to apply for a free taster, please email the team today.