Keeping Up With the Jones’ Kids

For as long as there has been sport, there’s been a spirit of one-upmanship.  Auburn football might practice for 2 hours, so Alabama would practice for 3.  Jimmy sees Sammy bench press 200lb, so he tries 215.  Some dumb coach does a set of 100x100, and another has to prove he’s better by doing the same awful set plus another 100 for good measure.  By looking at what your neighbor is doing with their lawn, you begin to obsess over your own.  There is always a concern that someone else may get there first, may have the nicer house, or the faster 8 year old swimmer.  Comparison is the thief of joy.  It’s very easy to see your friend’s child having their moment and wonder when your swimmer will have theirs.  So you try to help the moment along.  It might be getting extra lessons on the weekend, or taking your Tropical Storm swimmer to the PAC to do laps on their day off.  Very quickly, the sport becomes your sport.  Then you mention the extra lessons your child is getting, and then the other child is getting lessons.  And a Cold War of Competition begins.  Lost in all of this is a child wanting to have fun in the sport.

Over two dozen Storm swimmers have gone on to swim in college.  What made them consider doing so wasn’t the extra butterfly lesson they got at age 9, or parents that pushed them into it.  It was them starting the sport and continuing to love the sport so much that even after high school ended, they wanted to continue.

Please, let your swimmer learn at their own pace.  If they don’t have it now, they’ll get it.  If it takes a little longer, so be it.  Part of what makes this sport so useful in a child’s development is them having to figure it out themselves, and learning the perseverance and hard work that comes with it.  Don’t seek out 1v1 opportunities, save that money and do something fun with your kid! 

The Last Push for Shrimp

Tonight is the final night to get your shrimp orders to Lars Schulz.  Thanks to all those who have flipped shrimp for us!

Flyer

Order Form

Clothing Drive

CARDS Closet boxes are out at both SP East (by the pool doors) and SP West (by the lost & found) for the remainder of this week.  If you’re able to bring in an unopened pack of underwear for the drive, we would greatly appreciate it.   

Meet Odds & Ends

Thunderstorm/Hurricane Time Trial

The Meet
A closed time trial for Thunderstorm & Hurricane, no entry fees.  Little to no volunteering, perfect for new swimmers and new families alike.  Entry fee: one packet of underwear

Waiting for reply from: BennettA, NiroshaB, GraceB, MaryG, ChaitraK, AnnaL, AddyM, NavyaR, BlakeT, BenU, AudreyX --- We want you guys to participate!!!

The Volunteer Effort

We have TWENTY Typhoon and Senior swimmers volunteering to make this event run—that’s fantastic!!  If you have a late addition that wants to help, click here.

Distance Challenge

Swimmers are getting more (or less) excited for the upcoming Distance Challenge.  Last night, the Tropical Storm nailed their 1000yd race!  There are currently SEVENTY signed up to participate so far, with another 90 eligible swimmers, Masters Swimmers, and a few coaches that still need to decide what they want to do.  If you’ve made a decision, please go onto the event page and declare your swimmer.

Storm Winter Classic

Signup is now open for our Winter Classic Meet.  It’s the big one, two full days of competition.  It would make a huge help for the team if everyone participated in at least one day of the meet.

Holiday Schedule through 12/31

Upcoming Events & Meets

Dryland Promo Code: SWIMFAST24