1985
Spring Nationals
1985 U.S. Diving Masters Indoor National Diving Championships, April 20-22, 1985, Tualatin Hills Diving Club, Portland, OR. Bill Burgess, meet director.
Summer Nationals
1985 U.S. Diving Masters Outdoor National Diving Championships, August 16-18, 1985, Park Ridge, IL. Ted Kersting and Jim Blickenstaff, meet directors. This meet was followed by one day off for travel to Toronto, Canada, where there was held the first Masters World Games. Those who dove in both meets probably had the greatest and most intense 7 days of diving of their lives.
First Masters World Games
1985 First Masters World Games, held at Toronto, Canada, August 1985. Diving held at the Entebicot, August 20-22, 1985. There were over 9000 athletes from all over the world; 126 competed in the diving event. Many who competed in Chicago also came to Toronto, plus some new faces who weren’t in Chicago. The medals were really outstanding.
1986
Spring Nationals
1986 U.S. Diving Masters Indoor National Diving Championships, April 26-28, 1986, Rochester, MN. Tom Kough, Chris Gentz meet directors. Tom and his wife Carol did a superb job of putting on this meet, replete with Dixieland Bands, color guards, guests speakers and singers. It was a great meet.
Summer Nationals
1986 U.S. Diving Masters Outdoor National Diving Championships, August 22-24, 1986, U.S.C. McDonald’s Olympic Pool, Los Angeles, CA. Lloyd Kaplan, Mark Conte meet directors; ably assisted by Tim Brennan, Carol Cooper, Rick Early and Yvonne Thompson. This was by far the biggest and grandest championship to date. Over 106 registered and over 90 attended at the site of the 1984 Olympic diving. The vibes were still there and the diving was great. 1986 saw another rule change. Grand Masters IV was added, comprising 65 and over. This gave our very senior divers a more competitive edge in the senior grand masters event. Fred Fox solicited and received the following letter from the White House: “I congratulate all those taking part in the 1986 US Masters Diving Championships. Your sport is highly competitive. It requires exacting physical and mental concentration. All of you have trained hard and will give your best. But there is another quality that goes along with diving. The sport is one of great beauty as all spectators will readily acknowledge. You, the competitor combine skill, agility, and not least of all, exceptional grace as you execute your dazzling dives. All of us wish you the best of luck. As far as I’m concerned, your all champions. God bless you.” Signed, Ronald Reagan, President.
1987
Spring Nationals
1987 U.S. Diving Masters Indoor National Diving Championships, April 25-27, 1987, University of Buffalo Pool, Buffalo, NY. Donn Scherer, meet director.
Summer Nationals
1987 U.S. Diving Masters Outdoor National Diving Championships, August 28-30, 1987, Justice Aquatic Center, Orlando, FL. Lynne and John McCoy, meet directors.
1988
Spring Nationals
1988 U.S. Diving Masters Indoor National Championships, April 22-24, 1988, LSU Natatorium, Baton Rouge, LA. Don Crane, meet director.
Summer Nationals
1988 U.S. Diving Masters National Outdoor Diving Championships, August 26-28, 1988, The Woodlands, TX. Valerie Ryan, meet director.
II Fina Masters World Aquatics
1988 II Fina Masters World Aquatics, October 8-16, 1988, Chandler Pool, Brisbane, Australia. Diving held Oct. 13-15. There were 3500+ swimmers and 80+ divers. This meet was held at the same time as World Expo 88, and those who attended had a great time in Brisbane, as well as other parts of the “Land Down Under.” Due to an international impasse, the age group competition 30 and up was held in 10 year instead of 5 year age brackets; for the first and last time.
1989
Spring Nationals
1989 U.S. Diving Masters Indoor National Diving Championships, April 22-24, 1989, Cleveland State University pool, Cleveland, OH. Jeff Arnold and Don Weir, meet directors. Visiting dignitary: Al Patnik. 1989 was a very busy year for masters diving. Besides the two national championships, there was also held the 2nd Masters World Games and the Pan Pacific championships.
First CAN-AM Masters
1989 First CAN-AM Masters International Diving Championships, June 24-25, 1989, Kinsman Sport Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Steve and Helen Greymorning, meet directors. 22 divers attended this inaugural event, which was run to U.S. Diving and not FINA format.
Second Masters World Games
1989 Second Masters World Games, held July 22-August 6, 1989, Aarhus, Herning and Aalborg Danmark. These games were not as big or well attended as the first games in Toronto, but everyone who came to Danmark had a good time. The competition was lively. FINA rules and format.
Summer Nationals
1989 U.S. Diving Masters Outdoor National Diving Championships, August 25-27, 1989, Mission Bay Aquatic Training Center, Boca Raton, FL. Ron O’Brien and staff, meet directors. We got to dive in one of the finest diving facilities to date. There was a special diving camp open to those who came early. Because of the Masters World Games earlier in the month, the participation was not as big as it otherwise should have been. One of the outstanding performances saw “Shoeless Joe” Greenwell compile 21 10’s in the 21-29 tower competition, with 3 perfect 10 dives in a row- 401-B, 305-C and a 5237-D; a new first for masters diving
III Pan Pacific Masters World Aquatic Games
1989 III Pan Pacific Masters World Aquatic Games, Diving Championships, October 7-9, 1989, Indiana University Pool, Indianapolis, IN. Heidi Neuburger, meet director. The first time for masters diving at this event and the last “Big” meet of the year. Over 113 registered and 95 participated at the site of the 1988 Olympic trials. (FINA rules).