Paseo Aquatics News and Notes October 2023
PASEO AQUATICS NEWS & NOTES
October 2023
Each month we will offer a segment on education, hoping to share insight and information on becoming the best possible parent-of-a-club-swimmer you can be. This month’s article helps both parent and swimmers to learn that swimming should NOT define you, but help contribute to whom you become.
When asked to impart the first of many pieces of advice I have for swimming, I thought it best to start with one of the things I said at the banquet: "Always have fun." As everyone continues to learn who I am, you'll find that I always explain things via two avenues: Objectively and Subjectively.
So to start with the objective:
1. Stressors leads to cortisol production. This is known as the stress hormone.
2. Extended cortisol exposure leads to fatigue, headaches, immune system suppression and inflammation to name a few symptoms.
3. If you're constantly tired, can you perform well? What about if your head hurts? What if you get sick right before your end of season meet? How about if your joints are inflamed, do you have as much range of motion or strength?
4. So always stressing about swimming, school, friends, etc. has a real-world, physical response on your body.
How do we minimize cortisol?
1. Smile. Laugh. Make friends.
2. Learn everyone's name in your class/group, as well as some of some their interests. This way, you'll always have someone to talk to and won't be thinking, "Oh no. Johnny isn't there. He's my only friend in swimming." Yes, this means going out of your way to socialize with everyone.
3. Introduce yourself to people from other teams at swim meets. Tell them "Good Luck" and "Good Job" and shake their hands before and after you compete with them.
4. Belly breath (I will send a separate email on this topic)
Okay but how does this make swimming easier/better?
1. It makes everything way more engaging. If you are excited to come to practice, excited to see your friends, excited to workout, you're workout will be better. The same thing goes for competition.
2. Why do I know so much about Star Wars? Because I love it. The more you have fun doing something, the more you want to invest in it. Same goes for swimming. The more fun you have, the more invested in it you'll be and the faster you will swim.
3. You'll just be happier all around. This is a sport. It's supposed to be fun!
So to end this, both parents and athletes, I challenge you to find things that have no 'outcome' to them in your life and try to apply that feeling/process to outcome driven scenarios.
My example is my custom Star Wars Lego collection. It's only purpose is to bring fun and joy into my life. I've taken that feeling I get when I am building and applied it to my life. I never get frustrated while building, so I shouldn't get frustrated else where. If I do, I take a deep belly breath, remember that feeling of pure fun/joy, and force myself to reset to positivity.
- Coach Trevor
Paseo Fall Kickoff
Saturday, October 14th – Sunday, October 15th
Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, 20850 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita
Groups: Juniors through Senior Level athletes
Kevin Perry
Thursday, November 2nd – Sunday, November 5th
La Mirada Splash! Regional Aquatic Center, 13806 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA
Groups: Athletes that qualify
Buena David Graham
Saturday, November 4th – Sunday, November 5th
Ventura Aquatic Center, 901 S. Kimball Road, Ventura, CA
Groups: Juniors through Senior 2
