DIVE Cincinnati Bubbler Trips

One of the most popular activities offered by DIVE Cincinnati are the "Bubbler Trips" to the World Class Corwin Nixon Aquatic Center at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

The "Bubbler" is an impact-reducing water agitation system where high pressure air pushed through small holes in the bottom of the pool emits millions of bubbles that rapidly rise to the surface of the water.

By the time these bubbles reach the surface of the pool, the water beneath the diving board "bubbles" about 1.5 feet high and 10 feet in diameter (like a large pile of shaving cream). A diver who dives into the "bubbles" will notice a very soft landing. This increases the diver's confidence and lessens the fear of "smacking" which speeds up the learning process associated with new dive attempts.

In addition to the Bubbler Machine, the Nixon Aquatic Center has an overhead safety spotting harness installed above the one meter diving board. The spotting harness is a set of ropes and pulleys that attach to the diver (by way of a spotting belt). The "spotter" (coach) can then guide the diver through multiple somersaulting dives and other new skills without the diver landing flat on the water or hitting the diving board. After trying the dive in the spotting belt a few times, the diver can then take off the spotting belt and try the dive into the "Bubbles." The goal is to them do the dive without the Bubbles so it can be practiced with confidence back at NKU.

The trips take place 2-3 times per year are open to any diver in the DIVE Cincinnati Program. EACH Bubbler Trip lasts for 1.5 hours and is limited to 10 divers maximum. Each registered diver will have the opportunity to use the spotting harness above the one-meter and use of the "Bubbler" machine (either on the one meter or the three-meter board). At the end of practice, the divers have the opportunity to jump off the diving platforms.

The cost for a Bubbler Trip is $60.00 per person. Registered divers meet at the Miami University Pool and parents are always welcome to stay and watch. Make sure your bring your cameras to record all the fun!!

Hope to see you on the next Bubbler Trip!!