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.