Competition and Recognition

Happy Sunday to all!

It is a busy week here in Swim Coach Direct land. On Monday Rick DeMont is being inducted into the very prestigious Bay Area Sports Hall Of Fame with Don Swartz introducing him. His story is like none other. Check out his interview on Swimming World Magazine's Morning Show.

And at the same time this wonderful recognition is happening, in the land Down Under, we have the World Masters Swimming Championships taking place. Two Swim Coach Direct members, Joe Dunn and Nancy Ridout are swimming exceptionally well at this world event. Check out the results at the 2008 FINA World Masters. For more details on the action see the Santa Rosa Masters Blog.

Each of you swims for a personal reason. For some it is a chance to relive memories of "Glory Days" (Bruce Springsteen). For others it is the camaraderie of fellow swimmers. Many swim for fitness or as a way to release stress. The decision to compete is very much an individual one and often very personal. We at Swim Coach Direct encourage you to follow the path that seems most comfortable to you. Having said that, we also encourage each person who is the least bit curious about competitive swimming to find a local Masters meet, sign up and then go racing.

Why race?

When you go to a meet you will find that your fellow swimmers come in all shapes and sizes. You will fit right in! When you race, it will "get your attention", meaning your senses will be heightened. This is a good thing because your awareness about swimming will be enhanced. Without awareness there is no change. So, by going to a local meet, you can learn things about yourself that will provide a stimulus for growth...be it in the area of general fitness, an increased desire to improve your technique or simply an appreciation for how fit you are and where there is room for improvement.

So, if you feel like it, we encourage you to check it out. Start with US Masters Swimming or Masters Swimming Canada to start exploring the opportunities that exist near you. If you already compete, we hope that we can help you improve as you pursue your goals. Let us know how you like our offerings. Your feedback provides us with opportunities to grow as well!

Have a great week, in and out of the pool!