We kicked off our Sharks season two weeks ago, and our first meet is already upon us! The other coaches and I couldn’t be prouder of how our swimmers stepped up to the blocks and how engaged the parents are. In my first post of the season, I mentioned that the continuity of the coaching staff was something the parents would notice right away, and from the feedback I have been given, I believe it to be true. Our coaching staff has exceeded every expectation I had. We also have so many junior volunteer coaches who have stepped up, it is really allowing us to give younger swimmers more one-on-one time, and that makes a huge difference. There are mornings where I have a smile on my face watching how well all of them are doing in caring for the unique needs of so many swimmers. Behind the scenes, our parent volunteers continue to work tirelessly to help make the season a success!
So let’s recap where we are and where we are going!
Shaking Off the Rust
The focus of the first two weeks wasn’t as much about going fast; it was about finding our feel for the water: Technique before speed. Our coaches spent extra time on the fundamentals—streamlines, basic stroke mechanics, starts and flip turns. We have mixed in all types of drills, relays, and even drylands to hopefully keep everyone excited and second-guessing about what comes next at practice. Going back and forth in the pool over and over isn’t the most exciting thing, so we are working hard to keep things engaging and fun.
Rising to the Challenge
The biggest challenge is also one of the most exciting – and that’s the 95 swimmers we have this season. While a positive – it means more friends, more relay opportunities and hopefully more “W’s” during the season, it also makes for a crowded pool at practice. To that end, we have tried to introduce stations during practice the last week. We split the 8 o’clock group up between drylands and pool time and we are going to continue it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays – so bring a yoga mat those days if you have one. We have so many multi-sport athletes that this seems like it’s a winning idea. The biggest complaints came from our 9:15 swimmers who weren’t doing the same thing so we changed that up on Wednesday and had them doing some dryland work as well! If you have a swimmer in that 9:15 group who feels like they would benefit from doing drylands, come talk to the coaches and we can make that happen.
Welcome to the Family!
I want to give a massive shoutout to all of our new swimmers who joined the Sharks family this season! Joining a swim team can be intimidating—there are new terms, fast-moving lanes, and a lot of early mornings. You all handled your first weeks with incredible grit and positive attitudes. You’re officially part of the Shiver now! (“shiver” is the term for a group of Sharks – probably what you do if you see one while swimming). I have been incredibly impressed by the work ethic I saw from our new swimmers this week. The willingness to come to practice and learn has been outstanding.
Our First Meet:
Our first meet is tomorrow! For first time swimmers and parents – please ask us any questions you may have. A number of emails go out, but just how this whole thing gets run is a bit different than other sports where you mostly get to sit and watch your athletes. I want to highlight a few things:
Swimtopia: Download the app – this will have your swimmers events in it. Its also where you should have already declared them for the meet and chosen your volunteer positions! Most swimmers get their events written on their arms to help them keep track. We will either do that at practice or before the meet.
The Y Parking Lot – Bring your folding chairs and tents as this is where we camp out for the meet. You will be able to hear the announcer call out events. There is a possibility of some thunder storms tomorrow night – If that happens, we will have to clear the pool for 30 minutes.
The Clerk of Course – This is where your swimmer goes when their event is called by the announcer. It’s the staging area with benches by the back door to the pool. There are volunteers there who help put the swimmers in their lanes and heats for each event. They then walk them into the pool area when its time for their swim.
The Pool! Spectators should stay on the sides of the pool, or in the shallow end behind the roped off section. This allows our swimmers, officials, runners, timers etc… room to move around to where they need to be.
Eat healthy, get a good nights sleep and be at the pool ready to swim tomorrow!
Go Sharks!
