What age did you learn how to swim? When I was in the 8th grade, I still did not know how to swim. Many times where I would go out with my family to the lake, if there was not a lifejacket, I am not swimming. During the summer times, there is nearby pool that my brother would work as a lifeguard, the job looked so responsible but also has very essential knowledge within. I knew that if I ever even thought about being a lifeguard, I needed to learn how to swim. Where or not, learning to swim is something I thought of that everyone should know. As an incoming freshman into high school, I sought the opportunity of joining the swimming team. With the help of my brother supporting me in ways like, financially, mentally, and physically. Joining a …show more content…
As the referee exclaims “swimmers take your mark”, it is as if I have entered into a slow-motion realm. At that brief moment I start to flash back the moments of my, first dive, first race, and to my hard work at practices. Then momentarily, a loud “beep” starts the race. From the perfected water dynamic dive, to the long arm strokes, followed by a flawlessly executed flip turn, I raced back to other finish line. Nothing feels as satisfying as finishing in 1st place! With all those days at practice that were miserable and difficult, feel like I have conquered and defeated that mind barrier. Having to drink countless of chlorinated water, I felt like I have drank enough of water for an entire year. Ending the season with an awarding night at Round Table Pizza, the coach gave out ribbons and plaques. The MVP plaque went to the team captain. The Fastest Swimmer plaque went to another swimmer. As I was standing there with a couple of ribbons for finishing first in my hand, the coach announces “… and the Most Improved Award goes to Vitaliy”. The coach tells everyone that I went from a 56 second to a 34 second swim on a 50 meter sprint. I felt so rewarded, not only by having the plaque but, as well as having such a great coach that taught me how to
Imagine swimming in the big Olympic pools. All you can hear is the muffled noises of ecstatic fans cheering. All you can feel is the water urging you to keep swimming. Then you reach your hand out and feel the wall. You emerge out of the crystal blue pool water and have won! Michael Phelps and Dara Torres are two extraordinary swimmers who live their lives in the Olympic pools. Both Torres Is Tops and Michael’s Magic deal with the challenges and successes of Dara and Michael’s Olympic careers, but they do so in different ways. Let’s start our swim through the lives of these two Olympic champions.
I have been swimming year-round on a club team since the age of six and when I was younger improving came relatively easily. However, around age 13, I hit a training plateau despite having the same work ethic and focus that I had previously had. I grew to despise swimming and at points I wanted to quit. However, unlike Junior, I had role models and mentors who were positive influences on me and who helped me to overcome this challenge. Primarily, I had several of my best friends on the team who convinced me to keep persevering and to not simply quit the sport that I loved so much just because I was no longer dropping time. For example, every day I watch my close friends Lizanne and Cate come to practice and give it their all, regardless of the numerous injuries and medical issues that plagued their swimming career; their positive outlook and dedication motivated me to try even harder than I had before. Moreover, I had by parents, something that Junior did not have; my parents were always there to support me after yet another disappointing meet reminding me that “you get five minutes for a win and five minutes for a lost”. My parents where my voice of reason as I tried to work through my issues; they were always there to encourage me, but also were very honest with me
The first practice was at 5 a.m. and the night before I couldn't sleep. My mind would keep wondering what would happen, was I supposed to be wearing my bathing suit, what were my teammates going to be like. When it came time to go to practice I was shaking the whole way. Soon after I learned that my fears should have not been focused on such silly things now. If anything swim really helped me face them head on. With so much change going with swim I got used to this fear. My family and friends were also a great succor. Even though they probably didn't know that it was helping me. I'm very grateful to my father supporting anything I wanted to
Swimming is often referred to as an individual sport. In competition you are given a lane, a heat, and you compete for your time. Answer one question then, to prove its nature of individuality, at the seven hundred meter mark of the gruesome fifteen hundred, when the lactic acid has built up, and your body feels like failing, what pushes you beyond a point you have never reached before? The drowned out sounds of a team cheering, or seeing a friend charge through crowds flailing their arms through the air, is all I need to keep going and represent my team in a race to the finish. In addition to cheering during races, it is important to have the encouragement of your teammates all the time at practice, at school and, even in more personal matters. A team gives you a sense of belonging or a sense of discouragement that keeps you from your true potential. A community of a team extends much past the athletes, to the parents, as well. A team in which everyone is recognized for what they do/ can do compared to a special “elite” group of swimmers leads to a new level of pride and confidence for the younger athletes. Lastly, the philosophy of the coach is a critical component to the success of an athlete. One may believe in narrowing in on the naturally talented and the other coach strives to train each individual to maximum potential. I have been a part of two very different swim clubs in my development as an athlete, both of which helped me become my personal best, and who I am today in and out of the water. Although both the Ajax Aquatic Club and the Whitby Dolphins helped me develop my talents, abilities and, confidence, it is through the Whitby Dolphins that I recognize the need for strong interpersonal relationships with teammates, t...
My stomach feels like a rock trying to sink me down to the bottom of the pool. I hear the long whistle signaling me to step up onto the block.s. I step onto the creaky blocks and get ready. Adrenalin rushes through me ready to propel me into the water. The announcer tells us to take our marks. A few short moments after, I hear the long beep which signals me to dive into the water. I hit the water with a graceful splash. The bitter water shocks my system and then sends me into an all-out sprint. I race through the water trying hard not to look at my teammates next to me. As I get closer to the wall I see some of my teammates cheering me on. It feels as if their cheers are propelling me through the water. When I fling into a flip turn I glance at my competitors and I can see I am in front. I push a little bit harder and hit the wall with all my might. I look up at the scoreboard and see that I got first! My legs feel like jello as I get out of the water. Some of my teammates pat me on the back and say things like “Good race,” or “Nice job,” I mumble thank yous and continue on my way to talk to Coach. When I get to my coach she looks very surprised which startles me a bit. “Wow!” She exclaims “I'm really glad I got to see what you can do! Great Job Becca,” My coach says while patting me on the back. I head off to hang with some of my new friends. Even though I was so nervous in the beginning I know
For the past 10 years, competitive swimming exposed me to a variety of new people. My adult role models along with my closest friends all connect to my swimming career in some way. I was honored to be named a captain of my high school swim team, a recognition only few receive on our 50-member team. Being a captain not only meant leading pre-swim exercises and receiving an award at the end of the year, it meant having people look up to me and being accountable for my actions. When a swimmer raced poorly or needed some encouragement, that swimmer turned to me. Having a constant smile on my face or saying “we can do it” became an everyday occurrence. Parents frequently approached me to say how much I impacted their child’s life or how they came home saying my pre-meet pep talk encouraged them through their tough races. While completing a team
Every time I step outside my house, I am constantly reminded of the beauty that is the opportunities that are laid at my feet. Recently I’ve had the privilege of seeing and participating in many different worlds such as the populous city of New York, the beautiful and lively city of Boston, I’ve shadowed doctors at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, but the world I live in has given me the best opportunity that I have taken advantage of: swimming.
The start of the 2002 track season found me concerned with how I would perform. After a disastrous bout with mononucleosis ended my freshmen track season, the fear of failure weighed heavily on my mind. I set a goal for myself in order to maintain focus and to push myself like nothing else would. My goal for my sophomore track season was to become a state champion in the 100 meter hurdles. I worked hard everyday at practice and went the extra mile, like running every Sunday, to be just that much closer to reaching my goal. The thought of standing highest on the podium in the center of the field, surrounded by hundreds of spectators, overcame my thoughts of complaining every time we had a hard workout. When I closed my eyes, I pictured myself waiting in anticipation as other competitors names were called out, one by one, until finally, the booming voice announced over the loudspeaker, "...and in first place, your 2002 100 meter hurdle champion, from Hotchkiss, Connie Dawson." It was visions like these that drove me to work harder everyday.
Just last weekend the June water was cold enough that my muscles tensed up so much that I had to stop swimming. Also even though I’m on the swim team… well I ain’t the best let’s just put it that way. I was really bugging out about the swim. I forgot to talk to my mom so I took out the phone and dialed the number. Told her about all the people who already failed and how now the competition is smaller. And told her how nervous I was about the swim, she told me you need to get past that mental block and I promise you’ll be fine. Well at that time the last person came in from the row, and now that means it is almost time for the swim. “Alright! Here’s the deal!” Lt. Wagner explained, “You run down to that lifeguard stand and into the water, swim out to the flag, come back to that stand, and run back here.” My heart is racing already. I’m not even in the water yet. Denis comes over and says “You’re not getting last, ‘cause that place is mine.” Summer chimed in trying to raise my spirits, “I won’t be that far ahead of him so you bound to not get last or second to
This meet was considered exceptionally prestigious as only a limited amount of varsity runners are able to compete in the race. After practice the day before the race my coach pulled aside to inform me that I was going to be competing in this upcoming meet. As he is delivering the news, sweat is beading down my forehead and the lack of oxygen made from practice made it hard to take in the moment. My heart was beating a hundred times faster than normal as I realize that I am receiving a chance to showcase my hard work and dedication I have constructed for myself. I suddenly start reminiscing about the absurd amount of hours clocked in for this exact moment to happen.
Swimming has been my whole life, since I jumped into the pool for the very first time. I loved every aspect of swimming from the adrenaline running through my body during my races and getting to spend even more time with my friends and my sister, and the stress of big meets coming up in the schedule. Except everything didn't go according to plan after the first day of school when I got home and I saw my parents sitting by my sister on the coach and my sister was crying.
I began to lose motivation in our team’s ability to win. I had thought that the predicted results would not happen anymore due to an unfortunate injury which had dropped the cheerfulness in the team during which I continued to think my ultimate goal which was to make this season an outstanding one. I took initiative to seek medical assistance and decided that the health of my teammate was more important than winning a race. Despite losing one of our strongest participants, I adjusted our attitude and worked with each swimmer individually to build determination and perseverance which acted as a rocket-fuel to succeed. Our accomplishments without him at the end were successful with many medals brought home overachieving the predicted results. During this time, winning a total of 3 goals and 2 silver medals had me realize that this was the greatest season I had ever had in my career of competitive
Finish, Finish, Go, and Go you just set the new world record. Every four years lots of people gather around a pool cheering for Olympians. It is a very noisy place. A lot of Olympians that are part of the summer Olympics are very athletic, they swim all year around. The swimming Olympic history and background is very interesting. They have done so many new things over that past couple of years. They come out with new rules every year to make things more fair and challenging. There are a lot of events and tons of records that have been broke. A lot of Olympians have set future goals to stride for. I was swimming the 200 meter fly I was at a really good time when I had 50 meter sprint left at the end all I could think about was I’m going to set the new world record. Olympic swimming is a very fun sport it is very athletic. Every year in the summer time every one always sits around a TV watching this it is very famous in America. Swimmers from all around the world come and here and compete. There is a lot of competition there I have found out a lot about the history of swimming. There are a lot of events and tons of records that have been broke. A lot of Olympians have set future goals to stride for.
I learn swimming at the age of 23 I remember going in the water for the first time it was in one of the beaches in NH I cannot remember really well. My husband and his family just assume I knew how to swim. Most especially coming from a warm continent. I have been to the beach before, but we do not get into the water, it much more for hanging out and dating spot dressed in sun dresses while the wind blow your skirt left and right not getting wet. I remember my husband and I got in the water and his parent were in the water as well, I was just standing everyone were swimming I was asked to join and swim under the water I looked at them as if they were crazy. I told my husband I could not swim, he said you don’t have to really swim, we are just here to cool
When they saw me coming they cheered and clapped for me. After a bit of rest, I climbed rope thrice with the help of Mr. Dougherty but I didn’t get it, he said, “Let’s move on, it’s okay we’ll do it later.” Then I went for lifting the weight without dropping, in that Mr. Dougherty completely helped me, without him I couldn’t even move that. Then I have to go through muddy dunk that was divided in two with a wall and I have to go under water and then swim all the way through, when I went under water I felt like everything went out black for a second and there I pulled up my leg muscle. When I went for swimming I was yelling at my uncle that, “I don’t know swimming, how could I swim…” He asked help from some ladies that were in there and by holding their hands I flew to shore with laughing and giggling because I am having so much fun floating on water like a leaf. And then very last obstacle ‘Fire Jump,’ I waited a little bit because of my pulled muscle and then I jumped over it smiling and excited. I walked to finish line, there Mr. B waiting for me with a medal, I walked to him and at same point I heard my mom, I saw she is also waiting for me with a medal, I stopped and looked at both of them and it was difficult for me to chose one as both mean to me a lot, then Mr. B walked to my mom and asked her to give the medal together. This was one of the most precious and unforgettable moment