| Swimming in British Columbia
– TSUNAMI and its swimmers are registered with SwimBC which is our
provincial sports governing body. SwimBC belongs to SwimCanada who in
turn registers with the International Swimming Body called FINA. In order
to simplify the management of competitive swimming in our rather large
province, we are divided into regions. Our region is the Vancouver Island
Region and the majority of the competitions we will attend will be on
the island.
What to Bring to Practice – Let’s
start by stating the obvious – bathing suit – goggles –
towel – bathing cap - water bottle – and very important -
a light, nutritious high energy pre-workout snack. - - If not proceeding
home following practice, a post workout hi-carbohydrate snack is very
important to aid muscle recovery.
What to Bring to a Swim Meet – All of the above plus –
extra towels – extra snacks – sandals or suitable pool foot
wear – warm top and pants (sweat suit is ideal) – extra bathing
suit (older swimmers) – something to read, to listen to, a game
to play or all three.
Bathing Cap Rule – Wet hair in the face and eyes
detracts from a person’s swimming; therefore, regardless of gender
if your hair isn’t short, a bathing cap will be required. The coaches
have the final say.
Nutrition for Young Swimmers – The new
Canadian food guide for athletes can be downloaded. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-liment/educ-comm/index_e.html
The Need to Remain Hydrated –
It is a proven fact that regular consumption of water throughout a practice
will help alleviate cramps, headaches, nausea and in some cases early
fatigue. Drink lots – drink often.
Swim Terms – There will be 3 competitive
terms; fall – mid-September to Christmas; winter – early January
to March school break; spring – right after the March break until
the end of May for the majority (EAG & MAG) and the end of June for
selected MAG and TAG swimmers.
Long Term Athlete Development (LATD):
TSUNAMI is committed to LATD. This is a huge commitment for both the club
and the athlete. Experts predict that it takes approximately 10 years
and 10,000 hours of training to produce a mature athlete. This club will
do its utmost to provide the necessary challenges in order that this may
happen.
Swimmer Development: When we move a swimmer up within
a sectional grouping (e.g. Dynamos to Challengers of the MAG group) during
the season, generally there is no problem. However, when a swimmer moves
up to another group (e.g., EAG to MAG), he/she is leaving his/her comfort
area (friends, coach, etc.); this is an entirely different situation.
Unless it is an exceptional situation, moves from one group to the next
should only take place at the start of the swimming year.
DID YOU KNOW - - Everyone thinks of hockey and football
players as macho strong athletes. In a couple of random fitness studies
conducted by two Canadian universities several years ago, it was discovered
that swimmers, gymnasts and tennis players had, on average, higher ‘all
round’ fitness and academic scores. With some exceptions, hockey
and football players actually scored in the lower middle percentile. Tennis
players as a whole topped the list with swimming coming a close second.
Swimming has been proven that it is an all round - life skill. Swimming
is an activity that can and does transcend the age barriers. .
While not exclusive to competitive swimming, it is one of the sports to
which the axiom – “More is Better” – applies.
Parents, it is proven that the more practices an athlete can attend, the
greater his/her chances are for steady improvement and ultimate success
in the sport.
A Practice Missed, is an Opportunity
Lost
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