From: John Leonard Re: High School Swimming this fall.For Parents of High School age swimmers. Date: July, 2021 Dear Friends, I am a big fan of and supporter of most high school age children being part of their high school swimming team. That said, it is VERY important that you understand the following, so please bear with me and read this completely! Thank you. First, why is high school swimming good? One and pretty much one reason only…It's FUN!!!!! Everyone has a good time with friends, and its not difficult...

In Coach's Rant, a Lesson for Parents and Athletes (CNN)If you've been on Facebook this week, chances are you've seen someone share comments made by Geno Auriemma, coach of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team. UConn hasn't lost a game in more than two years and is in play for a fifth consecutive national title. Even after more than 30 years as head coach at UConn, Auriemma said that recruiting "enthusiastic kids is harder than it's ever been." In the video, he said that today's kids are so influenced...

Dear SwimFast Teammates and Families. Recently I was asked about our championship caps. (The BLACK CAPS!) We have used these for several years and they signify something special. Championships are a CELEBRATION. And on the side of the cap it says “TEAM EFFORT”. Because that is what we are celebrating. Everything in life that is achieved is a team effort. When an athlete does well, it takes the hard work and commitment of the ATHLETE, THE FAMILY, THE COACH AND THAT INDIVIDUALS TEAMMATES. None of us will achieve all we...

On Tuesday, Coach John gave a talk to the senior and Age Group 1 swimmers relating to this. Coach John would like for our swimmers to take time to watch Robin Williams as "The Flag". A great reminder to us all. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q_L1vLv84vs All the best, Coach Jackie

7 Ways Swim Meets Prepare Our Kids for the Real World Courtesy of Elizabeth Wickham (On SwimSwam) Swim meets are a world upon themselves. They can be stressful, fun and a wild roller coaster ride. If we step back and let our swimmers take over, meets can be a place for them to be responsible. They provide many opportunities for our kids to practice skills that will cross over to the real world—in college, careers and families. Here’re a few life lessons your kids can learn from swim meets: 1....

Great Things Happen When You Put Your Mind To It By Don Swartz, ASCA Hall of Fame Coach TK came to workout yesterday and shared the following with us. We continually talk about these kinds of things and his Mom showed this to him and his immediate thought was to share it with his coaches. Our immediate reaction was, “We’ll share this world wide”. So thanks to TK, his Mom and all of you…oh, one other thing; this goes for parents and coaches as well as athletes. (PS: Talent is...

To SwimFast Parents, A coach asked me today about my 4 PM group. I told them this was the “best group I have ever coached in 46 years of coaching, not about swimming, but about CHARACTER. THEY GET IT.” After I said that, I realized I should share it with all our parents. Great tribute to their parents as well as themselves. Great swimming performance will follow great character skills as surely as flowers follow rain. I expect the Senior Team to reach the same level of Character understanding and...

Congratulations to Geena Squartino for being selected at the CCSA's Swimmer of the Week! Keep up the great work Geena!

Want to Raise Successful Daughters? Science Says Nag the Heck Out of Them For tweens, eye-rolling and backtalk really means, 'Thank you for the helpful advice. I shall endeavor to act accordingly.' BY BILL MURPHY JR. Executive editor, TheMid.com, and founder, ProGhostwriters.com@BillMurphyJr Someday, my daughter is going to kill me for this one, but it's a story that will vindicate parents everywhere. Researchers in the United Kingdom say parents' super-high expectations for their teenage daughters--especially if they remind them constantly of those expectations--are among the most important factors in predicting...

Beginning this week, we will no longer be having Stroke School 1 & 2 class from 6 pm - 7 pm on FRIDAYS. All Stroke School 1 & 2 swimmers will practice between the 5 pm - 6 pm on Fridays. If you are unsure which group you are in, all Stroke School 1 & 2 swimmers are those who usually practice with Coach Jackie at 5 pm or 6 pm. Monday thru Thursday, practice for those in the 6 pm - 7 pm group will be as usual. Please...