Just reading this makes me itch to dive again. I have always enjoyed your company. Diving is an obscure sport anyway perhaps in some small way I can bring more attention to it.

What an experience you have given me. You are an unsung hero, there are few that understand the years of sacrifice you have made in the sport. As one I am sure I speak for the many you have trained, special people are where you find them and they make a difference in our lives. Sometimes profound differences and you continue to impress me not just as a coach but as a human being, the privilege has been mine.

I wish you could see people light up when I do the tricks you taught me for them. Not something they expect to see me do.
Even more comical is the reaction I get when I casually mention in a conversation joining the circus. Many, at least half cannot leave it alone they call me out and have to say “bull” out of utter disbelief. The other half know me well enough to stop the conversation and insist on the whole story. Rest assured I’ve dropped your name as validation many times.

As for the unbelievers, well I expect there are some folks out there that just had their leg pulled one too many times, but they like how I tell a tall Texas tale. For them it is generally some time before I realize they do not believe me when they finally say…”You weren’t kidding you really did join the circus didn’t you?” upon some later confirmation from a third party. It is nice to have your story in hand.

Thank you for being my friend,
RC

It was the end of a long weekend of competition. We had just finished the 10 meter platform events and the divers were playing “slip and slide on the 10 meter platform while we cleaned up and put away the meet equipment. It was great to see the kids laughing and screaming with delight as they slid off the platform 3 stories up to free fall and crash into the pool.

From out of nowhere a recreational swimmer introduced himself and asked if he could try it. In a moment of incredible irresponsibility and stupidity I told him “sure if you’re crazy enough to try, go ahead (damn the insurance companies, liability, and lawyers). As I watched Rick climb those stairs and stand on the 10 meter platform getting ready to go the reality of what I had agreed to began to sink in. I had no idea if Rick was capable of doing this without getting hurt. He looked strong enough in his swimsuit; he was in pretty good shape. But, what if he got hurt, landed flat, or even dislocated his shoulder (then who would be damning whom). The longer he stood up there the more concerned I became not only might he get hurt but I could loose my job over this.

Finally I decided I should go up and talk him down for both our sakes (anyone who knows Rick knows how absurd this concept is). The more I tried to persuade him to come down the more determined he looked. Then mid sentence I was talking to the air as Rick sprinted to the end of the platform dove onto his stomach and slid in a shower of water off the platform. As my stomach lurched and heart began to race, he ducked his head and gracefully folded into a near perfect front 1and 1/2. Much to my relief and surprise he went in the water nearly perfect.

That one act of irresponsible foolishness began a long and interesting friendship.

Jim Stillson