By SwimSwam Contributors on SwimSwam
Courtesy: Dr. Chelsea Ale, President of the U.S. Professional Diving Coaches Association
Our first official in-person U.S. PDCA symposium brought coaches and sport professionals together in Las Vegas for a weekend of education, thoughtful questions, and conversations that continued well beyond the presentations.
Held at the Hampton Inn Tropicana, the symposium gave attendees dedicated time to learn from experienced professionals, share ideas, and consider new approaches to supporting their athletes and programs. The sessions covered nutrition, injury prevention, coaching philosophy, mental performance, judging, and leadership, offering ideas coaches could bring directly into their work.
Our speaker lineup included Maggy Doherty, Mitch Geller, Mike Romanella, Stacey Brooks, David Colturi, Florence Smith, Paige Burrell, Amy Kwan, Dave Burgering, and Jay Lerew, who joined us remotely. Together, they brought experience from across the sport and encouraged attendees to think about the many responsibilities involved in developing athletes and leading a program.
Presentations explored fueling divers, making better decisions, performing under pressure, identifying and developing talent, understanding a judge’s perspective, and strengthening the future of American diving. Questions throughout the sessions connected those topics to situations coaches encounter in their own programs.
I also had the opportunity to present on communication with athletes and assistant coaches. We discussed using pulse checks to invite honest feedback, paying attention to verbal and nonverbal communication, and recognizing how our own tone, attention, and responses affect the people we lead.
One of the most meaningful parts of the weekend was seeing those conversations continue after each session. Attendees followed up with speakers, compared experiences with other coaches, and talked through how an idea might work with their athletes. Meals, breaks, and social activities gave everyone more opportunities to connect.
As diving coaches, we often see one another at competitions while managing athletes, answering questions from parents, and preparing for the next event. This weekend offered time to step away from those responsibilities and focus on our own learning. It was exciting to see people ask thoughtful questions, contribute their perspectives, and take an interest in what others were doing.
For me, the weekend also offered an opportunity to reconnect with people who have been part of my life in diving for many years. Helping bring them together to share their knowledge with other coaches made this first symposium especially meaningful.
Our hope is that the learning and connections continue as everyone returns to their programs. Following up with a speaker, reaching out to another coach, or trying a different approach at practice can extend the value of the weekend and help us continue learning from one another.
We are incredibly grateful to the Raymond C. Rude Supporting Foundation for supporting the symposium and to Sideline Scout for sponsoring our Saturday social at Chicken N Pickle in Henderson. Thank you to our U.S. PDCA executive board and interns for the work they put into making the event happen, to our speakers for sharing their time and expertise, and to every attendee who made the trip and participated.
This first gathering gave us so much to build on. I am excited to keep creating opportunities for coach education, bring our community together, and support meaningful progress in the sport we love.
Our next U.S. PDCA symposium will take place September 17–19, 2027, in Indianapolis. We look forward to sharing the venue and speaker lineup as plans are confirmed.
Registration will open shortly, so please watch for upcoming announcements. We would love to have you join us in Indianapolis for another weekend of learning, conversation, and connection!
ABOUT DR. CHELSEA ALE
Dr. Chelsea Ale is the President of the U.S. Professional Diving Coaches Association and a professor of Sport Management at the University of Alabama. A former Division I diving coach and athlete, she advocates for the preservation of Olympic and non-revenue sports through strategic leadership, athlete-centered policy, and sustainable funding models.
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