My late father-in-law, Jim, was a bit of a jokester. With a straight face, he would say things he knew to be false, just to see if anyone would call him on it. Years ago, he told his young niece there were five seasons; Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and Autumn. She reached adulthood before finally setting things straight in her mind.
Today, I'm telling you (with a straight face), there are five swimming seasons in Southern Utah; Short Course, Long Course, Summer League, High School and UHSSA. Okay, okay, I'm no Jim ... UHSSA and High School are the same. Descriptions of the four swimming seasons in Southern Utah:
Short Course Season - USA Swimming season that runs from September through March. The pools used during this season are either 25 yards (SCY) or 25 meters (SCM) across.
Long Course Season - USA Swimming season from April through August. Meets are typically held in 50 meter (Olympic sized) pools (LCM).
Summer League - A local recreational season, not recognized or sanctioned by USA Swimming, during the summer months. DART's Jr Shark program competes during this season.
High School - Swimming is a varsity high school winter sport. Practices start in October and meets go into February. USA Swimming does not recognize the high season as a whole, but does observe the results of its championship meets.
By the way ...
DART, being a year-round USA Swimming member club, competes during the two USA swimming seasons.
The Washington City pool, where many DART swimmers will compete in the SUSA Spooktacular, is a 25 yard short course pool (SCY).
The Summit Athletic Club also maintains a short course pool, but it spans 25 meters across (SCM).
Our beloved SHAC pool measures 25 yards by 25 meters, making it convertible. DART swimmers practice in the yard configuration, but stretch the lane lines the other way and move the starting blocks to get a SCM version.
The Cedar City Community Center sports a SCY pool, and the SUU campus houses the only LCM pool in southern Utah.
Anybody know the dimensions of the St George city pool? I don't have a clue.
The Dixie State Campus has a short ... well, the problem is, it's too short ... too short for sanctioned competition. Perhaps they ran out of concrete when they built it.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Monday, September 30, 2013
Movin' on Up - Silver 5X swimmers
Two weeks ago, DART didn't have any swimmers in the Silver 5X practice group. Today we have three. Zach Sodorff (11) joined the team about 10 days ago, and became the season's first member in the group. Ryleigh Foggin (12) joined Zach a few days later, and Kayla Bevers (9) moved up just recently.
Congratulations to all three for taking that step up.
Making the move from Silver 3X to Silver 5X might not seem like a big jump ... but it can more than double the development pace. The Silver group concentrates on improving technique and building stamina. Technique isn't just learning proper stroke mechanics, but developing muscle memory so the stroke can be repeated.
Silver 3X swimmers develop that muscle memory three days ... but "undevelop" it, if you will, four days per week. While the steps forward outweigh the steps back, progress can be relatively slow.
In contrast, adding just one more day of practice, tips the scale in the swimmer's favor. Not only do they gain by the extra practice, but they lose less with only three days out of the water. It's like trading a negative for a positive ... double benefit. A fifth day of practice takes the development pace even higher.
Bumping up practice time isn't for all swimmers. Some kids simply aren't ready for that added commitment, some don't have the time, etc. Swimmers looking to advance within the sport, however, should consider adding a day (or two) when the time feels right. Talk to your coaches and let them help guide you.
Congratulations to all three for taking that step up.
Making the move from Silver 3X to Silver 5X might not seem like a big jump ... but it can more than double the development pace. The Silver group concentrates on improving technique and building stamina. Technique isn't just learning proper stroke mechanics, but developing muscle memory so the stroke can be repeated.
Silver 3X swimmers develop that muscle memory three days ... but "undevelop" it, if you will, four days per week. While the steps forward outweigh the steps back, progress can be relatively slow.
In contrast, adding just one more day of practice, tips the scale in the swimmer's favor. Not only do they gain by the extra practice, but they lose less with only three days out of the water. It's like trading a negative for a positive ... double benefit. A fifth day of practice takes the development pace even higher.
Bumping up practice time isn't for all swimmers. Some kids simply aren't ready for that added commitment, some don't have the time, etc. Swimmers looking to advance within the sport, however, should consider adding a day (or two) when the time feels right. Talk to your coaches and let them help guide you.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Easy as 1 - 2 - 3
DART 2013 Swim-A-Thon
DART's current fundraising event, represents my daughter's 6th or so Swim-A-Thon ... I've lost count. In the past, collecting donations required the swimmer go door to door with a paper form in hand, seeking pledges. I simply paid the minimum collection requirement, instead of having her hit the streets.
This year, swimmers can use a tool on the DART website to solicit donations electronically, leveraging contact lists that already exist. Its easy and donors can give securely online with their credit cards. They can also still pay by check or give cash.
It's as easy as one, two, three ...
1. Create a profile for each of your swimmers. Default profile text exists. You can use the default or modify it to say whatever you wish. You can also optionally upload a picture.
2. Upload contacts from various contact sources (gmail, yahoo, hotmail, facebook, etc) and select which ones to include in your solicitation. Note: Nobody sees your contacts besides you.
3. Compose an email and send in mass to the contacts you selected. Done!
Then, sit back and monitor the, perhaps surprising, generosity of your friends and family.
Get started by logging into the DART website and clicking the lane line graphic across the top. Use the Setup button to create a profile. Use the Promote button to upload, select and email your contacts.
Please participate in this fundraising event.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Bleeping Goggles - Part Three
Despite finding proper fitting goggles (discussed in part one, here), and being comforted that the dreaded goggle issue will eventually right itself with proper technique (part two, here), it remains heartbreaking to watch your swimmer struggle with their goggles. It's annoying to them and a bit frustrating for you.
What can help your swimmer keep their goggles on, while you patiently wait for them to perfect their dive?
1) Tighten the goggle straps - Okay, you've likely already done this, perhaps to an extreme. Tightening the straps does help, but don't expect it to solve the problem alone. Oh, and at some point it becomes counter productive (like when their eyes start popping out of their head). One way to ease the frustration is to replace the stock straps with bungee cords (pictured below). The little adjusting mechanism makes adjustments (tightening) easier.
2) Adjust the position of the straps - The straps, as they track across the back of the head should be separated. One strap should be even with the eyes, all the way around. The second strap should be adjusted in the back, a couple inches or so, above the first strap. This helps keep the goggles from moving vertically on the face. Again, its not a solution in itself.
3) Put the cap on over the goggle straps - Using the cap to hold the straps in place can help. It limits how far the straps can stretch, hence limiting how easily the goggles can come off. Another variation uses two caps, with the straps between ... cap, then goggles, then another cap.
4) Camden Snow it - I've seen Camden Snow, a Gold group swimmer, do this little trick when he was younger. Apparently it helped him. Once his cap and goggles were on and he appeared ready to go, he'd take one more step. He'd pull the front of his cap down over the top edge of his goggles. It takes away some visibility, but likely not that much.
5. Industrial strength staples - Two at each temple, one between the eyes and the goggles will stay on all day. (Disclaimer: This is a joke)
What can help your swimmer keep their goggles on, while you patiently wait for them to perfect their dive?
1) Tighten the goggle straps - Okay, you've likely already done this, perhaps to an extreme. Tightening the straps does help, but don't expect it to solve the problem alone. Oh, and at some point it becomes counter productive (like when their eyes start popping out of their head). One way to ease the frustration is to replace the stock straps with bungee cords (pictured below). The little adjusting mechanism makes adjustments (tightening) easier.
2) Adjust the position of the straps - The straps, as they track across the back of the head should be separated. One strap should be even with the eyes, all the way around. The second strap should be adjusted in the back, a couple inches or so, above the first strap. This helps keep the goggles from moving vertically on the face. Again, its not a solution in itself.
3) Put the cap on over the goggle straps - Using the cap to hold the straps in place can help. It limits how far the straps can stretch, hence limiting how easily the goggles can come off. Another variation uses two caps, with the straps between ... cap, then goggles, then another cap.
4) Camden Snow it - I've seen Camden Snow, a Gold group swimmer, do this little trick when he was younger. Apparently it helped him. Once his cap and goggles were on and he appeared ready to go, he'd take one more step. He'd pull the front of his cap down over the top edge of his goggles. It takes away some visibility, but likely not that much.
5. Industrial strength staples - Two at each temple, one between the eyes and the goggles will stay on all day. (Disclaimer: This is a joke)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Quote 'O the Month
Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever -- Greg Fernley
For those who don't yet know, Greg Fernley and his wife Pam, founded our team in 1987. Greg lost a battle with cancer over a decade ago, but his legacy lives on. You may have seen this plaque, as it hangs proudly at the Sand Hollow pool, where we practice.
For those who don't yet know, Greg Fernley and his wife Pam, founded our team in 1987. Greg lost a battle with cancer over a decade ago, but his legacy lives on. You may have seen this plaque, as it hangs proudly at the Sand Hollow pool, where we practice.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Bleeping Goggles - Part Two
The first segment, of this three part series, talked about choosing goggles that fit, and included a video on how to tell when they do. You can visit that post here. Part two talks about why the goggles misbehave to start with.
<physics>
Newton's first law of motion states a body at rest will remain at rest until an outside force acts upon it.
</physics>
That law, applied to goggles, means a pair of goggles will stay on your swimmer's face until something knocks them off. Duh! I mean, Newton was a genius! The force, in this case, would be the impact as your swimmer's face crashes into the water on their dive. Having proper fitting goggles helps, but let's face it, it doesn't take much force to move a small rubbery object held on with stretchy straps.
The secret to keeping goggles on during the dive lies in the entry into the water. With proper technique, goggles absorb very little of the dive's impact, staying right where intended. With improper technique, well, you get a goggle mustache like this one ...
That proper technique? I'm not going to tell you. I'm not a coach and make it a point to not impersonate one. At some point, a real DART coach will help your swimmer overcome the anxiety of diving off the block, teach proper diving technique, and promote streamlining. When that happens, the frustrating, heartbreaking goggle issue will disappear forever, I promise. It may take some time, so please be patient.
<physics>
Newton's first law of motion states a body at rest will remain at rest until an outside force acts upon it.
</physics>
That law, applied to goggles, means a pair of goggles will stay on your swimmer's face until something knocks them off. Duh! I mean, Newton was a genius! The force, in this case, would be the impact as your swimmer's face crashes into the water on their dive. Having proper fitting goggles helps, but let's face it, it doesn't take much force to move a small rubbery object held on with stretchy straps.
The secret to keeping goggles on during the dive lies in the entry into the water. With proper technique, goggles absorb very little of the dive's impact, staying right where intended. With improper technique, well, you get a goggle mustache like this one ...
That proper technique? I'm not going to tell you. I'm not a coach and make it a point to not impersonate one. At some point, a real DART coach will help your swimmer overcome the anxiety of diving off the block, teach proper diving technique, and promote streamlining. When that happens, the frustrating, heartbreaking goggle issue will disappear forever, I promise. It may take some time, so please be patient.
Attitudes Change With The Attitudes Around Them
While driving my daughter, a swimmer, to school this morning, she said something worth quoting ... "Attitudes change with the attitudes around them".
Most people see swimming as an individual sport. On race day, relays aside, its one swimmer with one lane ... not exactly a team effort. Or, is it? Coach Bob has talked often about what it takes to become an elite swimmer. (Sometimes it seems that's all he thinks about). He quickly points to the pieces necessary for that level of success. 1) A dedicated, knowledgeable coach. 2) Support - Just try to become an elite swimmer without mom's taxi or daddy's money. 3) Talent - That one's up to fate and DNA. 4) Teammates.
Teammates? Yes, teammates. Good coaching, good support and good genes aren't enough. Good teammates make it fun. Good teammates make a swimmer want to go to practice. Good teammates push each other to higher levels. Good teammates affect attitude.
Do you have a good attitude? Your teammate's success might just depend on it.
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