From Gymnastics to Diving: Ottawa National Diving Club Welcomes Athletes Looking to Make a Splash

Mary Villemaire, a former gymnast turned coach at the Ottawa National Diving Club, is on a mission to recruit athletes from various sports backgrounds to take up diving. With over 15 years of coaching experience, Villemaire has seen firsthand how gymnasts can seamlessly transition into diving due to their spatial awareness and aerial skills.

The Ottawa National Diving Club is actively seeking athletes interested in diving, particularly gymnasts who are looking for a new challenge. Villemaire emphasizes that the biggest hurdle for gymnasts entering diving is adjusting to the different techniques, such as plunging into the water headfirst instead of landing on their feet.

As a coach, Villemaire recognizes the differences in coaching styles between gymnastics and diving. While gymnastics is more hands-on, diving requires a more auditory approach, with athletes relying on the feel of their own body in the water.

Villemaire, a Level 1 and Level 2 certified coach in gymnastics, trampoline, and diving, finds joy in coaching former gymnasts who already understand the language of the sport. She believes in the longevity and advancement opportunities that diving offers, with many ONDC athletes earning scholarships and national team opportunities.

Above all, Villemaire values the positive and inclusive environment at the Ottawa National Diving Club, which she describes as a family. Parents and athletes alike have praised the club for its welcoming atmosphere and quick turnaround in happiness.

For those interested in diving opportunities with the Ottawa National Diving Club, visit OttawaNationalDiving.ca to learn more. Join Mary Villemaire and the ONDC family in making a splash in the world of diving.