A Touch of Gold

I would like to share a story from the Long Beach Press-Telegram. This story happens to be about Michael Phelps and a young swimmer from Long Beach, CA, but also speaks to the power that we all carry. Well-placed words of encouragement can change lives...

A Touch of Gold

By David Loveless
Special to the Press Telegram
Article Launched: 08/21/2008 11:05:26 PM PDT


(Editor's Note: Reader and father David Loveless sent in this article he wrote about his daughter and Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps, to show another side of the champion.)

I want to share the power and influence that a few spoken words by the world's greatest athlete had on my daughter, Alexandria Loveless.

Four years ago, Long Beach hosted the U.S. Olympic Swim Team trials. It was Ally's fourth- to fifth-grade summer. I had told her that I wouldn't let her join a seriously competitive club or team until she was in middle school because I didn't want her to burn out on a sport as I had seen with many other children when they reach high school.

From second to sixth grade, she participated in almost every type of sport through the wonderful Long Beach Parks and Recreation department.

On one of the days while the 2004 Olympic Swim Trials were being held, Ally went with friends to the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool for open recreational swim. When I picked her up that afternoon, she excitedly exclaimed that she had met Michael Phelps and that he had been at the pool working out. I asked her if she was sure it was Michael, and she said she was positive.

She added that she didn't know why she had her camera with her that day, but she did and she had a friend take her photo with him. Every year since then, she has kept this treasured photo in her school binder.

I said, "I hope you didn't interrupt him," to which she replied, "No, Daddy, he came up and talked to me!"

OK, it didn't really seem possible that this great swimmer would approach my little daughter and me being a protective father, I wanted to know exactly what had happened.

She explained that she could see Michael watching her swim laps as he rested between sets in his workout. When she got out of the pool, he walked over to her and said that he had been watching her and that she has a "very powerful stroke" and that if she works hard that "maybe someday she could become an Olympian."

Imagine the world's greatest athlete taking the time to encourage an 11-year-old girl that was only swimming recreationally.

Of course, Ally said she had to ask him if she could take a picture with him. What else is a girl to do?

He helped create a dream for Ally with a few spoken words and a moment of his valuable time. Maybe that is why to this day that I have never had to remind her about her water polo practice schedule. This summer, she practiced as much as 8 to 9 hours a day while she participated on four different teams and trained in Europe for 3 weeks with USC Head Coach Jovan Vavic's Trojan WPC for the Junior Olympics.

Now that Ally, who just turned 14, will become a freshman at Wilson High School, she likes to tease one of her coaches at LB Shore Aquatics - Robert Lynn, Assistant Coach, USA Men's Water Polo - by saying she will break all of his Wilson High swim records. Robert just smiles and says that she'd better plan on working hard. She smiles back and states that she's already had someone tell her to "work hard."

Michael Phelps is not only going to grow the sport of competitive swimming, he will provide inspiration and hope to other athletes as well - like my daughter.

And he doesn't do it for himself, he does it for them. That's another reason why he is the world's greatest athlete.

I hope he knows the powerful effect his words have and how much it is appreciated. Kind, encouraging words matter!

Practice, Practice, Practice

Every child is different (thank goodness;) Some are very competitive and want to swim every day; others like to compete, but may not want to practice. So once a swim team member, how much swimming is too much?

For younger children, a few days per week is plenty. Make certain your swimmer gets plenty of sleep and nutritious food too. At this age, the goal should be to improve technique, and enjoy the sport.

Know your child. As preteens become more independent, they may resist going to practices. Forcing them to attend can be counter-productive. Negotiate and allow them to be a part of the decision-making process. Perhaps they like to swim a certain stroke or distance at swim meets or prefer water polo to racing. Allowing them to choose may magically improve a bad attitude. Being an overzealous, demanding parent can destroy your swimmer’s desire to swim...so resist the temptation! Keep children interested during the tough years. It will definitely pay off later.

Olympic medals go to talented, self-motivated, dedicated swimmers. Fortunately, the sport of swimming has much more to offer than just gold, silver, and bronze.

French Toast

An INCREDIBLY EXCITING Men's 4 x 100 Relay at the 2008 Olympics:
USA:Gold
France:Silver
We thank France for their encouragement;)

Earthquake 7.29.08

Just yesterday, Southern California had it’s first significant earthquake in 14 years. The epicenter was within 15 miles of my home. Though only moderate in magnitude, the close proximity made it almost as memorable as Sylmar (1971), Whittier (1987), and Northridge (1994). The common denominator with significant earthquakes in our area is that before the shaking stops, you know if it’s “big somewhere.”

My son (an instructor lifeguard) was teaching at the city pool when the Chino Hills Earthquake started. The magnitude wasn’t high enough to create waves so the swimmers didn’t immediately realize what was happening. My son said that his first clue was the emptying of the bleachers. Some parents ran to the water for their childen; others left the facility without their children; but the definite E-ticket ride of the day was the lifeguard tower. It whipped back and forth holding a terrified lifeguard (with white knuckles) in it’s grip.

The Four Competitive Swim Strokes...

...and the importance of learning to swim correctly...

Before your children ever join a swim team or become competitive swimmers, make certain they have been taught all four competitive strokes. A beginning swimmer should not be concerned with speed or even endurance...those qualities will come later. Correct execution of each swim stroke creates the best foundation for future competitors. Good instructors want "pretty" rather than "fast". My son is an instructor guard and the mantra for his students is "Give Me Purdy!"

The Four Competitive Swim Strokes are:

Butterfly, Backcrawl (Backstroke), Breaststroke, Freestyle (swimmer's choice but usually the Frontcrawl because it is the fastest stroke). Events for these strokes are 50m, 100m and 200m. Freestyle events include 50m, 100, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m.

The IM (Individual Medley) is swimming each stroke in succession. The order is Fly, Back, Breast and Free. Events are 100m, 200m, and 400m.

Relays are as follows:

4 x 50m Freestyle and Medley
4 x 100m Freestyle and Medley
4 x 200m Freestyle

The order of the Medley Relays are Backcrawl, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle. A relay starts with the Backcrawl because the first swimmer begins the race in the water. Each swimmer thereafter dives into the water when the preceding swimmer touches the wall.

The Frontcrawl is the fastest stroke and the easiest. The Breaststroke is the slowest stroke. The Butterfly and Backcrawl are sometimes difficult for beginning swimmers to master.

Flip turns at the wall can be used (legally) with the frontcrawl and backcrawl. When swimming the Butterfly and Breaststroke, both hands must touch the wall during the turn or the swimmer will be disqualified from the race. No flip turns are allowed with those strokes.

Olympic Trials 2008

Remember Mark Spitz, the 1972 Olympics, and those seven gold medals? Quite a feat! (Yes, I still have the famous poster;) Last night, swimmer Michael Phelps swam the 400 Individual Medley during the Olympic Trials in Omaha and broke the World Record! Perhaps 2008 will see Phelps take 8 gold medals and one-up Mr. Spitz.

Olympic swimmer Dara Torres is also competing at the Trials. She is a 41-year-old mom, has nine medals from past games, and is attempting to compete in her fifth Olympics.

Competitive swimming does not get the television coverage of, say, football or basketball. The sport does not exist as a professional one, so the Summer Olympic Games become a very big deal. If you're a swimmer, young or old, take advantage of the televised coverage of Olympic swimming, including the trials. Watch it! Learn by osmosis. Listen to the commentators. Study the techniques of the best swimmers in the world...

....and check out Michael Phelps' goggles. They're awesome;)

Swim Gear

Not too practical for walking OR swimming.....but very amusing;)

As with any sport, the cost of equipment can become expensive. Before buying gear for your swimmer, keep a few points in mind:

Beginning (even intermediate swimmers) only need basic items, namely, an appropriate suit, swim cap, and goggles.

• Female Swimsuit ~ Girls usually use a T-back suit which allows unencumbered arm rotation (and no straps falling off the shoulders).
• Male Swimsuit ~ Boys use a brief, tight-fitting "Speedo" style suit or tight-fitting long leg. No Board Shorts!
• Water Polo Suits ~ H2O Polo players choose suits made with thicker, tight-fitting material which helps prevent the suit from being pulled or held by an opposing player.

There are many, many more options and choices as your swimmer progresses, but in the beginning, basic is just fine. Keep in mind that if your child belongs to a team, the team may require a certain style and/or color of suit for meet competition.

• Swim Caps ~ Caps are available in rubber/silicone/latex-type or Lycra (swimsuit material). The latex-type cap will protect hair better than the Lycra cap, but the Lycra cap is more comfortable and easier to put on. TIP: Put a little cream rinse or hair conditioner in your child's hair as a protective agent before placing the cap. Wash your swimmer's hair with regular shampoo (anti-chlorine shampoo isn't necessary) after swimming.

Swimsuits can be expensive. Look for deals at SpeedoOutlet.com, Sam's Club, or Costco. Vendors at swim meets sometimes have good prices. Research the brands and compare prices online.

Swimsuits last longer with good care. Wash and rinse with cool water using Woolite or even mild shampoo. Air dry, out of direct sunlight.

The Cost of Joining a Swim Team

Private swim teams, even if non-profit, have a fairly high overhead. Pool rental and coach salaries are high dollar so monthly fees can be steep. Fifteen years ago $50 and up per month per swimmer was pretty common, though there were usually price breaks for families (2nd or 3rd swimmer at a reduced rate). Elite clubs can charge much more. Our “alumni” club is up to $70 per month currently. If money is not any issue, check out private clubs to see if they fit your needs.

Municipal swim team rates can be much lower since coaching salaries and facilities are somewhat subsidized by tax dollars. City of Los Angeles pools offer team membership at $20 per month. Our local pool is $21 per month. If you want to check your child’s interest in a swim team, some summer programs (city and county) offer summer-only teams.

Information for Los Angeles area residents:

http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/aquatic.htm

This is the website for the City of Los Angeles Aquatics Program

http://www.colasharks.org

COLA Aquatics is a year round instructional and competitive aquatics program which improves individual water skills through structured training and commitment. Through team participation, our members not only develop self-esteem and confidence but also learn to cope with success and failure, a valuable lesson for success in life. By strengthening individual character and promoting team interests, participants learn to adapt and function better in a social environment. Through self discipline and self motivation, success in competitive aquatic sports tells only part of the lessons imparted by involvement in COLA (COLA stands for City of Los Angeles).

To Goggle or Not to Goggle

Goggle! Definitely. Your kids will want them for the camaraderie factor, but using goggles will actually improve how they swim. A good swimmer needs to see where he (or she) is going, and using goggles accomplishes that. They will also protect your child's eyes from harsh pool chemicals and are relatively inexpensive to buy. When choosing a pair, make certain that they fit your child's face well enough to create suction around the eye sockets. Foam-lined lenses will leak! Look for goggles with lens frames similar to the ones pictured above....and make certain they're stylish too;)

LESSONS and SWIM TEAMS

Teach your children how to swim! Begin at an early age through the YMCA, city or county pool, or private lessons with a licensed instructor. There are lots of options, so find one to fit your budget. In most cases, your child will have to reach a certain level of proficiency before joining a swim club or team. Team coaches work to improve a swimmer's abilities, but do not teach them how to swim.

Swim team coaches will encourage, train, and teach your young swimmer to become competition-ready. As a member of the team, the swimmer will eventually participate in swim meets. A swimmer will race (usually based on age and speed) as an individual or as a member of a relay team. Many swim clubs also offer water polo instruction.