So how much will it cost to teach your child how to dive? Well, there is no straight forward answer to that question. The costs can vary widely depending on your level of commitment, your area of the country, and the program that you choose.
Basically though, a diver who decides that lessons or beginning instruction is the way to go, can expect fees to come from three general areas.
Registration Fees
Whether a diver is participating in summer or winter leagues, Amateur Athletic Association (AAU) or USA Diving lesson programs, or receiving private instruction, they are more than likely going to encounter registration fees. These fees allow a diver to become a part of club program or team, and in the case of the AAU and USA Diving, the registration fees include insurance coverage.
These registration fees may be as low a $12 for the year, as in the case of AAU membership, to as much as $75 per year to join USA Diving at the Competitive Gold level and compete for a national championship.
Program Fees
Program fees are usually associated with individual organizations that sponsor a club or team that teaches competitive diving. These fees can range from a one-time yearly payment to a monthly requirement, and are usually targeted to help a club team or organization cover costs such as pool rental and equipment purchases.
Many times these program fees will grow as the time spent practicing and the commitment of the diver increases, but for entry level divers, this type of fee is generally minimal.
Coaching Fees
Coaching fees are self-explanatory: they are payments made to the coaches for doing their job. Just as the registration and program fees will differ depending on the scope of the lessons, so will the coaching fees, which can range from $20.00 per session, to $120.00 per month. Again, the actual fees will vary depending on the number and duration of the lessons or instruction.
Not to keep making the same point over and over, but the specific costs for lessons or instruction will vary widely depending on the individual program, area of the country, level of commitment, etc. These fees may be separated out or packaged together, include fees from each of these areas, or just one; but in the case of lesson programs for beginners, fees are usually kept low to encourage participation and growth.