Drinking Enough Water?

USA Swimming is has just revamped their website and has made it a lot easier to use. The problem is that there is so much information that it wasn't always clear where to find it. I do encourage parents to check it out since it offers a great source of general information about the sport. There is even an area specifically dedicated to parents like you and giving you access to lots of different topics.

As an example, please read this excellent article on practice and water drinking (which the kids rarely do well enough - even the ones who bring water bottle at swim practice).

Marlins News: Junior Olympics and Fort Bragg

Kate, Anton, Monica and Ava at JOs

Last weekend (12/3-4-5) was very busy for some of our Marlins swimmers. We had 4 athletes who qualified and attended Junior Olympics in Pleasanton on Friday. Congratulations to Kate Claman, Ava Salmi, Monica Sears and Anton Zahradnik for a good performance at the meet. Worth mentioning that Monica finished 14^th in the 100 free and Anton finished 13th in the 200 back.

From Pleasanton, we drove straight to Fort Bragg where we met the rest of the team for a 2 day meet in the brand new indoor complex that made the experience a real pleasure. We were received very well by the host team that was pleased to see us make the effort to attend the event. Yes, it was an effort as it is a 3 hour drive to get there, and the return trip was quite a challenge as we headed back to Marin under some really intense rain that made visibility an issue. That said, everyone agreed, it was so worth it that we are looking forward to going again next year!

..and swimmer's corner.

The team stayed at a nearby hotel and we managed to spend Saturday evening’s dinner with most of the athletes and their families in one place … not a small feat, thank you Norm for the planning it took to make it happen. We did get a small treat by stumbling out of the restaurant onto the holiday parade down Fort Bragg’s main street. Being used to Bolinas and Woodacre parades, I certainly connected with the small town feel and the random floats but let’s say that it was … different. The highlight (for me at least) was the pigeon who was walking slowly at the end, apparently banned from being part of the actual parade because of its edgy attitude and propensity to do his business in the middle of the street.

Float Fort Bragg style! .... sorry no pics of the pigeon.

Parents corner ..

But let’s get back to why we really drove up north: the swim meet! 23 swimmers participated in the event over the 2 days, not bad for a really far away meet. As a team we did really well, 153 individual events and 7 relays later, we managed to finish 3^rd overall with 2 marlins swimmers taking the high point award in their respective age group. Congratulations to Monica Sears and Anton Zahradnik both in the in the 11-12 age group. Since the pool is new, this was the 3^rd meet there and therefore the list of pool records got completely updated during the meet and our Marlins swimmers broke 31 pool records over the 2 days. That experience  was new for me as well! 

Some of the swimmers holding trophy and plaques!

Although the overall improvement was only 55%, and in some ways quite average for this kind of meet, it does not reflect the smaller victory that almost all the swimmers experienced. 22 swimmers ended up improving at least one of their events. 5 team records were updated as well, Monica Sears broke the 11-12 100 back, Isabella Salmi broke her own record in the 15-16 200 back, Jared Sears broke 2 team records in the 500 free (what a race!) and the 200 IM for the 15-16 age group, and last but not least Tyler Welty broke a very long standing record in the 100 breast for the 13-14 age group. That record belonged to Chris Mai (Coach Chris) who by far had been the fastest breastroker the marlins have had the privilege to call one of their own. Looks like Tyler, who is just getting back in shape and has recently moved to Marin from Ohio with his family, is not done updating our team records in that stroke. Welcome to the team Tyler!

Special thanks to the parents who supported the event and made it such a great experience for their kids. We hope we can be back next year if the meet is offered again. Fort Bragg is a younger team and is struggling with all the challenges that running such a meet imposes, in addition, the city is having difficulties keeping the newly built center open year around. Let’s wish them well and hope things will work out for them.

Happy Holidays,

Marc

The Swimmer’s Will

The Swimmer’s Will

(15 steps for greater success)

1.    I will always say “I will” or “I do.”

2.    I will think positive at all times.

3.    I will respect myself, my teammates, my coaches, my parents and my competitors.

4.    I will do my best each day.

5.    I will be on time.

6.    I will start and end each swim at the wall.

7.    I will start each set on time.

8.    I will streamline always.

9.    I will flip all turns.

10. I will breath from both sides.

11. I will push myself past what I believe possible.

12. I will encourage my teammates.

13. I will follow directions.

14. I will have a strong kick.

15.  I will have fun!

Borrowed from a USA Swimming Newsletter .... This pretty much covers it all, although I could add: " I will attend every practice" to the list but that would be pushing it!

Matt Biondy was in town!

On Tuesday, November 23rd Matt was in town. Thanks to long time friends of his and Marlins parents Karen and Howard Luria, Matt was invited to speak to the St Marks kids during the their general assembly. Of course  I had to be there.

Matt Biondy is one of the most distinguished swimmers of all times, competed in 3 Olympic Games 84, 88 and 92 and broke many records (more info here). At the height of my swimming carrier, I remember Rowdy Gaines was a big focus for me for one main reason: Rowdy was fast (he won the 100 free at the 84 Olympics) ... and he was just a short as I was - actually, he was the shortest swimmer in that race. Yes in the world of freestyle sprinters, 6'1 is short, and I must admit that it was too easy to latch on to that excuse as a ceiling for my performances.

In any case, Rowdy did help me during my competitive years as a reminder that you didn't have to be a giant to swim fast. All was well, until I attended an international meet in Monaco in 85 or 86 where many countries would send their national teams as a gauge meet. No one broke any records there (as far as I can remember) as every swimmer was still in the thick of training (it was in May), but just being there with the best swimmers in the world was, well, it was awesome!

When I was not warming up, racing, warming down, stretching and hanging with my teammates, I would go  sit amongst the various team attending the meet. The US team and Australian was a bit more interesting because I could understand bits of what was said between the swimmers, but sitting next the the Russians or Japanese was fascinating. It was like traveling abroad and not understanding anything, still realizing that we were not all that different in our needs (stretching, visualizing, talking with coaches). Anyways, at one point in the meet I found myself trying to figure out a way I could swim in the same lane as some of the great swimmers during warm-up. I know I sound like a groupie, whatever, what if by some kind of miracle, swimming within feet of them would rob off on me. Nothing magical happened of course except for the fact that I actually found my self standing right next to Matt Biondy as he was about to get in the pool for warm-up. Granted he didn't have his hand on my shoulder as depicted in the picture above, but I was close enough that I was looking straight into his eyes ... just kidding, straight at his shoulder!

Matt was the Michel Phelps of my time and I know it was an honor for Jeff and I to be part of this event at St Marks. Thank you Karen.