B-T Aquatics is featured in the current issue of "Aquatics International" magazine. Each year the magazine designates one pool in each of seventeen categories as "Best of Aquatics." B-T received the "Best School / University." recognition.
Check it out: www.aquaticsintl.com (We are #13 on the list!)
See you at the pool!
-jn
We swim for good times: fast times when we compete and fun times every time we get in the pool together. You can too! Face-Up First Swimming is also the home of the popular online course, Water Safety Education for Parents and Caregivers. My name is Jeanie Neal and I developed Face-Up First swimming and put together the online course.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Dry Drowning
Ahoy!
I've been told that this afternoon Oprah is going to do a story about a child who died from "dry drowning." I'm going to try to get to a TV to watch the story, and if so, I'll comment on the program later. Right now, I wanted to post some links where you can read more information about dry and secondary drowning.
The child that will be discussed on the Oprah show died from "secondary drowning" because he had water in his lungs. "Dry" drowning is a different event. Both events are discussed in the posts listed below. I will find some additional references on the subject and post them on our Water Safety page at http://www.btaquatics.org/.
1. Question and answer article with answers from Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of respiratory care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City
http://children.webmd.com/news/20080605/sc-dry-drowning-death-draws-attention
http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0608/525754.html
2. Articles about the child discussed on the Oprah show
http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0608/525754.html
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Goose_Creek_Boy_Dies_from_Secondary_Drowning_18532.html
3. Snopes.com post on this subject
http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/drydrowning.asp
4. LA Times article on this subject
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/16/health/he-danger16
5. Wikipedia article on Dry Drowning (I've copied one paragraph from this article below.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_drowning
Misnomer in Media
Dry drowning was cast into the media spotlight in June of 2008 after the tragic death of a 10 year old boy in South Carolina several hours after swimming [1]. In this case, "dry drowning" may have been a misnomer, however. The incident described by the boy's mother did relate an episode of forceful apnea that would have indicated laryngospasm and therefore dry drowning. What is clear is that this boy's death involved the delayed effects of an injury suffered by his lungs while in the swimming pool. Typically, dry drowning involves laryngospasm and immediate hypoxia and death, not delayed pulmonary edema. Theoretically, it is possible that the negative inspiratory forces of the diaphragm against the closed upper airway in laryngospasm could cause enough barotrauma to trigger alveolar injury and pulmonary edema. In this case of barotrauma, the dry drowning survivor could suffer laryngospasm too brief to cause death, but long enough to cause delayed pulmonary edema and death several hours later. This phenomena would be similar to the delayed pulmonary edema of a "wet drowning" victim, however, and therefore fairly impossible to distinguish. It is unclear as to why the media labeled the 10 year old's death a case of "dry drowning" rather than a "secondary drowning" or "delayed submersion injury."
I recommend that everyone read this information and be aware of the signs and symptoms of post-immersion syndrome, dry-, and secondary drowning.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Be safe.
-jn
I've been told that this afternoon Oprah is going to do a story about a child who died from "dry drowning." I'm going to try to get to a TV to watch the story, and if so, I'll comment on the program later. Right now, I wanted to post some links where you can read more information about dry and secondary drowning.
The child that will be discussed on the Oprah show died from "secondary drowning" because he had water in his lungs. "Dry" drowning is a different event. Both events are discussed in the posts listed below. I will find some additional references on the subject and post them on our Water Safety page at http://www.btaquatics.org/.
1. Question and answer article with answers from Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of respiratory care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City
http://children.webmd.com/news/20080605/sc-dry-drowning-death-draws-attention
http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0608/525754.html
2. Articles about the child discussed on the Oprah show
http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0608/525754.html
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Goose_Creek_Boy_Dies_from_Secondary_Drowning_18532.html
3. Snopes.com post on this subject
http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/drydrowning.asp
4. LA Times article on this subject
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/16/health/he-danger16
5. Wikipedia article on Dry Drowning (I've copied one paragraph from this article below.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_drowning
Misnomer in Media
Dry drowning was cast into the media spotlight in June of 2008 after the tragic death of a 10 year old boy in South Carolina several hours after swimming [1]. In this case, "dry drowning" may have been a misnomer, however. The incident described by the boy's mother did relate an episode of forceful apnea that would have indicated laryngospasm and therefore dry drowning. What is clear is that this boy's death involved the delayed effects of an injury suffered by his lungs while in the swimming pool. Typically, dry drowning involves laryngospasm and immediate hypoxia and death, not delayed pulmonary edema. Theoretically, it is possible that the negative inspiratory forces of the diaphragm against the closed upper airway in laryngospasm could cause enough barotrauma to trigger alveolar injury and pulmonary edema. In this case of barotrauma, the dry drowning survivor could suffer laryngospasm too brief to cause death, but long enough to cause delayed pulmonary edema and death several hours later. This phenomena would be similar to the delayed pulmonary edema of a "wet drowning" victim, however, and therefore fairly impossible to distinguish. It is unclear as to why the media labeled the 10 year old's death a case of "dry drowning" rather than a "secondary drowning" or "delayed submersion injury."
I recommend that everyone read this information and be aware of the signs and symptoms of post-immersion syndrome, dry-, and secondary drowning.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Be safe.
-jn
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
FROM USASWIMMING.ORG: Myths and Misperceptions about Year-Round Clubs
I saw an article at http://www.usaswimming.org/ and thought that many of you would be interested. Click the "Read More" link below to view the article on the USA Swimming site. While you are there, check out the Parent Articles Archive for more information about competitive swimming.
"Many country club and summer recreational league swimmers have the wrong idea about their counterparts on USA Swimming clubs. Whatever myths and misconceptions may exist, they are keeping some summer league swimmers from the fun of participating on a year-round club team. Read more..."
Swim for good times! Have a great week! -jn
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Great News!
B-T Aquatics was recently selected as the winner of the "Best of Aquatics Award" in the University/School category from Aquatics International magazine. Aquatics International is a magazine founded in 1989, and is the only publication devoted exclusively to the commercial and public swimming pool industries. The magazine provides detailed information on designing, building, maintaining, promoting, managing, and programming aquatics facilities. We are very proud of this achievement. B-T Aquatics and the other category winners will be featured on the Aquatics International website and in the November/December 2008 issue of the magazine.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
ALL CITY CLINICS
Ahoy!
The All City Clinics went great last night! I'm so proud of the accomplishments of all the swimmers.
Some parents asked for a list of tips and techniques from the clinic so I've listed some of the highlights below in a question and answer format just the way they were presented at the clinic. Swimmers who attended the clinics should be able to answer the following questions:
1. What do the short whistles mean? GET READY
2. What does the long whistle mean? STEP IN/UP (WITH CONFIDENCE)
3. What is the starting command? "TAKE YOUR MARK."
4. What are the words for the streamline? HAND OVER HAND, WRIST OVER WRIST SQUEEZE
5. How far should you streamline? AT LEAST TO THE FLAGS/END OF THE BLUE
6. What are the words for the backstroke starting position? HANDS ON, HEAD IN, BUTT OUT
7. What happens everytime you splash? IT SLOWS YOU DOWN AND MAKES YOU TIRED
8. What do the backstroke flags mean? SPEED UP! THE WALL IS COMING?
9. What is your backstroke number? ANSWERS WILL VARY
10. Where should you touch the wall on all finishes? BELOW THE "SILVER"
11. What does a proper freestyle finish look like? BODY STRETCHED OUT FULL LENGTH ON SIDE, HEAD ON ARM
12. What is the most important factor in improving any stroke? HEAD POSITION
13. Why do we call it the butterfly? BECAUSE YOUR BUTT FLIES
14. What are the "words" for the butterfly arms? BUTT, ER, FLY
15. What is concentration? THINKING ABOUT ONE THING
16. What is focus? THINKING ABOUT THE RIGHT THING
Hope this helps. Keep swimming for good times! See you at the pool!
-jn
The All City Clinics went great last night! I'm so proud of the accomplishments of all the swimmers.
Some parents asked for a list of tips and techniques from the clinic so I've listed some of the highlights below in a question and answer format just the way they were presented at the clinic. Swimmers who attended the clinics should be able to answer the following questions:
1. What do the short whistles mean? GET READY
2. What does the long whistle mean? STEP IN/UP (WITH CONFIDENCE)
3. What is the starting command? "TAKE YOUR MARK."
4. What are the words for the streamline? HAND OVER HAND, WRIST OVER WRIST SQUEEZE
5. How far should you streamline? AT LEAST TO THE FLAGS/END OF THE BLUE
6. What are the words for the backstroke starting position? HANDS ON, HEAD IN, BUTT OUT
7. What happens everytime you splash? IT SLOWS YOU DOWN AND MAKES YOU TIRED
8. What do the backstroke flags mean? SPEED UP! THE WALL IS COMING?
9. What is your backstroke number? ANSWERS WILL VARY
10. Where should you touch the wall on all finishes? BELOW THE "SILVER"
11. What does a proper freestyle finish look like? BODY STRETCHED OUT FULL LENGTH ON SIDE, HEAD ON ARM
12. What is the most important factor in improving any stroke? HEAD POSITION
13. Why do we call it the butterfly? BECAUSE YOUR BUTT FLIES
14. What are the "words" for the butterfly arms? BUTT, ER, FLY
15. What is concentration? THINKING ABOUT ONE THING
16. What is focus? THINKING ABOUT THE RIGHT THING
Hope this helps. Keep swimming for good times! See you at the pool!
-jn
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
IT'S YOUR CHOICE
Another child drown in Lincoln last week. Read the article: http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/07/25/news/local/doc488946d72b26a505018327.txt
This is the second toddler to drown in a backyard in Lincoln in the past two months. The Nebraska Heath and Human Services Department issued a release July 2, 2008 reporting that drowning was the Number One cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4 in the state of Nebraska. Read the release: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/newsroom/newsreleases/2008/July/drowning.htm. Nationally, it is the number two cause of death in this age group behind choking.
There is a very real need to protect your children from drowning.
B-T offers a free online safety course: WATER SAFETY EDUCATION FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS. Click to get to the course home page. http://www.btaquatics.org/WATER_SAFETY_EDUCATION.htm
In addition, I've prepared and 18-Minute PowerPoint presentation on water safety. If you OPEN the presentation, it should start playing automatically; or you can SAVE it to your computer and watch it at your leisure. 18-minute PowerPoint Presentation
I get frustrated when I read the safety tips put out by some other swimming organizations. I think most stop short of "telling it like it is."
FLOTATION DEVICES
I disagree with advice to use flotation devices with adult supervision. The emphasis is always on the importance of having adult supervision. The emphasis should be on not using these devices.
DO NOT USE FLOTATION DEVICES. They are the worst pre-swimming experience a child can have and their use dramatically increases the time it takes to learn to swim. They promote a head up posture in the water. This posture is not the posture required for a relaxed floating position. The muscles remember flotation device use. It takes a long, long time to retrain them at lessons.
Flotation devices do provide a false sense of security for child and parent.
There is nothing safe or helpful about water wings. The delay learning to swim and they do not provide any lifesaving benefit. In my opinion they should be taken off the market. They are unsafe.
Parents tell me every day how "independent" their children are, and that they "swim all over the pool in their floaties with no fear." These children are not swimming. And there was a wasted swim time opportunity where they could have been learning to swim.
I could go on and on about the very real danger in using water wings, swimmies, and flotation suits. Please do not ever allow your child to use these devices.
But what about Coast Guard Approved Lifejackets? There is a saying in the pool business, "a good lifeguard is a dry lifeguard." Lifeguards try to prevent emergency situations from happening in the first place. I think of lifejackets the same way..."a good lifejacket is a dry lifejacket."
Lifejackets are to be worn to protect a child in the event of an accidental submersion - such as off a boat or dock. They are necessary pieces of lifesaving equipment. They are not toys to be used used in recreational swimming in a backyard pool.
Any type of floation devices inhibits learning to swim and learning to swim should be the priority with children - not bobbing around "swimming independently" in water where they cannot stand.
I have been teaching for many years. It is rare among non-swimming students who have not worn lifejackets or floaties for them to enter the pool without permission and assistance. It is a regular occurance among non-swimming students who have worn floaties and lifejackets to bolt into water without permission and without assistance.
Families with wet lifejackets, like wet lifeguards, should reevaluate their safety precautions and layers of protection put in place around their pools to see that both jackets and guards remain dry in the future.
POOL PARTIES ARE FOR SKILLED SWIMMERS
Pool parties are for people who can swim. Do not allow non-swimmers of any age at your pool party. Do not allow your non-swimmer to attend a pool party. This should be a hard and fast rule. At the National Recreation and Parks Association National Aquatics Convention last year, one of the speakers stated, "If you want to have a drowning, host a pool party." It is statistically true. However, again and again I see advice printed and on television about having more lifeguards and enlisting the aid of Water Watchers to prevent drownings at parties. I don't read or hear them saying, "Don't have a pool party!"
More lifeguards and watchers is always a good thing; the more people watching the better, but the way to prevent drownings at pool parties is to limit them to people who know how to swim.
A party is not the appropriate place to learn how to swim. Spend time with your non-swimming child in the pool without the excitement and distractions that are inevitable at parties and family gatherings.
A child who is restricted from participating in a pool party is not only safe, but has an additional incentive to learn how to swim.
WATER PARKS ARE FOR SKILLED SWIMMERS
My advice about non-swimmers goes for water parks too. Learn to swim in a quieter, safer environment than a water park. Advice about how to keep your non-swimmer safe at a water park typically stops short of telling you the hard truth. Your family needs to wait to visit water parks until everyone can swim. Take only skilled swimmers to a water park. If you have non-swimmers in your party, choose an activity that everyone can safely enjoy. Then get your kids to swimming lessons!
Pool access is a concern at both parties and water parks. At water parks you have the additional concern of water quality. Both concerns are covered in our online course.
I have a surveillance video showing a drowning that took place at a pool party at a guarded public facility. A non-swimmer was allowed by his parents to attend and was given a raft to be safe. The child fell off the raft and was not recovered from the bottom of the pool for five minutes. Watching this video gives you a graphic illustration of what can and does happen every day. (An average of nine children drown every day in the U.S.) I cannot check out this video, but you are welcome to come to my office to watch and learn.
Finally, parents, please say "no" to your children. They are precious gifts and need your protection.
"No, I will not catch you going off the board. You must learn to swim before you can jump off the board."
"No, you may not wear floaties, but I'll get in and swim with you. Let's practice your backfloat."
"No, you may not attend the pool party until you can swim 25 yards unassisted."
"No, we cannot have a pool party because your brother can't swim yet. Let's go bowling instead."
"No, we can't go to Fun Plex pool until you are a stronger swimmer. Let's go miniature golfing."
"No, you may not go swimming now. We have to keep the gate locked to the pool because Cousin Sally can't swim. Play on the swingset."
You may be the only parent who holds firm to keeps your child safe. Other parents may allow flotation devices, and attendance at parties, and jumping off the board with a ring, long days at the water park, and the wearing of a lifejacket to keep the child "safe" in the backyard pool.
Those parents are not responsible for the safety of your child. It's your choice.
If you have any questions about water safety or learn to swim issues, please give me a call. I am here to help.
Take the time to complete the Water Safety Course and watch the video.
Be safe.
-jn
This is the second toddler to drown in a backyard in Lincoln in the past two months. The Nebraska Heath and Human Services Department issued a release July 2, 2008 reporting that drowning was the Number One cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4 in the state of Nebraska. Read the release: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/newsroom/newsreleases/2008/July/drowning.htm. Nationally, it is the number two cause of death in this age group behind choking.
There is a very real need to protect your children from drowning.
B-T offers a free online safety course: WATER SAFETY EDUCATION FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS. Click to get to the course home page. http://www.btaquatics.org/WATER_SAFETY_EDUCATION.htm
In addition, I've prepared and 18-Minute PowerPoint presentation on water safety. If you OPEN the presentation, it should start playing automatically; or you can SAVE it to your computer and watch it at your leisure. 18-minute PowerPoint Presentation
I get frustrated when I read the safety tips put out by some other swimming organizations. I think most stop short of "telling it like it is."
FLOTATION DEVICES
I disagree with advice to use flotation devices with adult supervision. The emphasis is always on the importance of having adult supervision. The emphasis should be on not using these devices.
DO NOT USE FLOTATION DEVICES. They are the worst pre-swimming experience a child can have and their use dramatically increases the time it takes to learn to swim. They promote a head up posture in the water. This posture is not the posture required for a relaxed floating position. The muscles remember flotation device use. It takes a long, long time to retrain them at lessons.
Flotation devices do provide a false sense of security for child and parent.
There is nothing safe or helpful about water wings. The delay learning to swim and they do not provide any lifesaving benefit. In my opinion they should be taken off the market. They are unsafe.
Parents tell me every day how "independent" their children are, and that they "swim all over the pool in their floaties with no fear." These children are not swimming. And there was a wasted swim time opportunity where they could have been learning to swim.
I could go on and on about the very real danger in using water wings, swimmies, and flotation suits. Please do not ever allow your child to use these devices.
But what about Coast Guard Approved Lifejackets? There is a saying in the pool business, "a good lifeguard is a dry lifeguard." Lifeguards try to prevent emergency situations from happening in the first place. I think of lifejackets the same way..."a good lifejacket is a dry lifejacket."
Lifejackets are to be worn to protect a child in the event of an accidental submersion - such as off a boat or dock. They are necessary pieces of lifesaving equipment. They are not toys to be used used in recreational swimming in a backyard pool.
Any type of floation devices inhibits learning to swim and learning to swim should be the priority with children - not bobbing around "swimming independently" in water where they cannot stand.
I have been teaching for many years. It is rare among non-swimming students who have not worn lifejackets or floaties for them to enter the pool without permission and assistance. It is a regular occurance among non-swimming students who have worn floaties and lifejackets to bolt into water without permission and without assistance.
Families with wet lifejackets, like wet lifeguards, should reevaluate their safety precautions and layers of protection put in place around their pools to see that both jackets and guards remain dry in the future.
POOL PARTIES ARE FOR SKILLED SWIMMERS
Pool parties are for people who can swim. Do not allow non-swimmers of any age at your pool party. Do not allow your non-swimmer to attend a pool party. This should be a hard and fast rule. At the National Recreation and Parks Association National Aquatics Convention last year, one of the speakers stated, "If you want to have a drowning, host a pool party." It is statistically true. However, again and again I see advice printed and on television about having more lifeguards and enlisting the aid of Water Watchers to prevent drownings at parties. I don't read or hear them saying, "Don't have a pool party!"
More lifeguards and watchers is always a good thing; the more people watching the better, but the way to prevent drownings at pool parties is to limit them to people who know how to swim.
A party is not the appropriate place to learn how to swim. Spend time with your non-swimming child in the pool without the excitement and distractions that are inevitable at parties and family gatherings.
A child who is restricted from participating in a pool party is not only safe, but has an additional incentive to learn how to swim.
WATER PARKS ARE FOR SKILLED SWIMMERS
My advice about non-swimmers goes for water parks too. Learn to swim in a quieter, safer environment than a water park. Advice about how to keep your non-swimmer safe at a water park typically stops short of telling you the hard truth. Your family needs to wait to visit water parks until everyone can swim. Take only skilled swimmers to a water park. If you have non-swimmers in your party, choose an activity that everyone can safely enjoy. Then get your kids to swimming lessons!
Pool access is a concern at both parties and water parks. At water parks you have the additional concern of water quality. Both concerns are covered in our online course.
I have a surveillance video showing a drowning that took place at a pool party at a guarded public facility. A non-swimmer was allowed by his parents to attend and was given a raft to be safe. The child fell off the raft and was not recovered from the bottom of the pool for five minutes. Watching this video gives you a graphic illustration of what can and does happen every day. (An average of nine children drown every day in the U.S.) I cannot check out this video, but you are welcome to come to my office to watch and learn.
Finally, parents, please say "no" to your children. They are precious gifts and need your protection.
"No, I will not catch you going off the board. You must learn to swim before you can jump off the board."
"No, you may not wear floaties, but I'll get in and swim with you. Let's practice your backfloat."
"No, you may not attend the pool party until you can swim 25 yards unassisted."
"No, we cannot have a pool party because your brother can't swim yet. Let's go bowling instead."
"No, we can't go to Fun Plex pool until you are a stronger swimmer. Let's go miniature golfing."
"No, you may not go swimming now. We have to keep the gate locked to the pool because Cousin Sally can't swim. Play on the swingset."
You may be the only parent who holds firm to keeps your child safe. Other parents may allow flotation devices, and attendance at parties, and jumping off the board with a ring, long days at the water park, and the wearing of a lifejacket to keep the child "safe" in the backyard pool.
Those parents are not responsible for the safety of your child. It's your choice.
If you have any questions about water safety or learn to swim issues, please give me a call. I am here to help.
Take the time to complete the Water Safety Course and watch the video.
Be safe.
-jn
Monday, July 7, 2008
Wow! What a Meet!
The Trials exceeded every expectation. I hope you all got a chance to visit the Qwest Center and be part of the action.
B-T Aquatics had a busy week too.
Swimmers representing thirty-nine teams trained at our pool. In addition, Olympic Gold Medalist Josh Davis ran a training session every morning during the Trials: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1000&u_sid=10371768
B-T participated in the Hilton Swims to Beijing Relay on Saturday. Olympic Gold Medalist Matt Biondi got in the pool and swam with forty of our B-T swimmers. The USA Swimming Foundation is donating $10,000 of a $100,000 gift they received from Hilton Hotels to Brownell-Talbot Aquatics to help us promote water safety and learning to swim.
We hosted a Splash Bash sponsored by USA Swimming on Monday night: http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/22743534.html
Up on the main level of the Qwest Center, Brownell-Talbot faculty and staff passed out brochures promoting Omaha area swim clubs.
There is a Zen saying, "Before Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water." The Trials are over and it's time to chop wood and carry water, Grasshoppers!
Everyone back in the pool! Voyagers, Plebes, and Pirates all have lessons all week. It's just four years until the next Olympic Trials for Swimming. We've got a lot of work to do to get someone on that team!
-jn
B-T Aquatics had a busy week too.
Swimmers representing thirty-nine teams trained at our pool. In addition, Olympic Gold Medalist Josh Davis ran a training session every morning during the Trials: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1000&u_sid=10371768
B-T participated in the Hilton Swims to Beijing Relay on Saturday. Olympic Gold Medalist Matt Biondi got in the pool and swam with forty of our B-T swimmers. The USA Swimming Foundation is donating $10,000 of a $100,000 gift they received from Hilton Hotels to Brownell-Talbot Aquatics to help us promote water safety and learning to swim.
We hosted a Splash Bash sponsored by USA Swimming on Monday night: http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/22743534.html
Up on the main level of the Qwest Center, Brownell-Talbot faculty and staff passed out brochures promoting Omaha area swim clubs.
There is a Zen saying, "Before Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water." The Trials are over and it's time to chop wood and carry water, Grasshoppers!
Everyone back in the pool! Voyagers, Plebes, and Pirates all have lessons all week. It's just four years until the next Olympic Trials for Swimming. We've got a lot of work to do to get someone on that team!
-jn
Friday, June 20, 2008
SPLASH BASH - Monday, June 30, 2008
You're Invited! www.btaquatics.org/splashbash.htm
I apologize for not posting more often. It's been a busy June! I'll try to do better.
Buy your Olympic Trials tickets. You don't want to miss this event. www.h2omaha.com
-jn
I apologize for not posting more often. It's been a busy June! I'll try to do better.
Buy your Olympic Trials tickets. You don't want to miss this event. www.h2omaha.com
-jn
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Water Safety PowerPoint Posted
Ahoy!
I've posted our Water Safety PowerPoint presentation on the Water Safety for Parents & Caregivers Course page on the website.
Be safe. It's your choice. It's your responsibility.
Jeanie
I've posted our Water Safety PowerPoint presentation on the Water Safety for Parents & Caregivers Course page on the website.
Be safe. It's your choice. It's your responsibility.
Jeanie
Monday, May 5, 2008
Drowning in the News
Ahoy!
You may see and hear news about a wrongful death suit filed as a result of the tragic drowning of a five year old boy in an Omaha hotel pool two years ago.
B-T Aquatics offers an online Water Safety Education for Parents and Caregivers Course. The course is free and you can read through the material at your own pace. Visit www.btaquatics.org/water_safety_education.htm to take the course.
As discussed in the course material, the two main issues at both hotel pools and water parks are pool access and water chemistry. Layers of protection are especially important in unguarded, easily accessed hotel pools. These issues will be the focus of the lawsuit.
Please take the time to read through the course material. I have also put much of this information into a PowerPoint presentation that lasts about 18 minutes. It is available for viewing at the pool anytime we are open to the public.
Please contact me if you have any questions about water safety issues.
Keep your children safe.
Jeanie
You may see and hear news about a wrongful death suit filed as a result of the tragic drowning of a five year old boy in an Omaha hotel pool two years ago.
B-T Aquatics offers an online Water Safety Education for Parents and Caregivers Course. The course is free and you can read through the material at your own pace. Visit www.btaquatics.org/water_safety_education.htm to take the course.
As discussed in the course material, the two main issues at both hotel pools and water parks are pool access and water chemistry. Layers of protection are especially important in unguarded, easily accessed hotel pools. These issues will be the focus of the lawsuit.
Please take the time to read through the course material. I have also put much of this information into a PowerPoint presentation that lasts about 18 minutes. It is available for viewing at the pool anytime we are open to the public.
Please contact me if you have any questions about water safety issues.
Keep your children safe.
Jeanie
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
You're Invited
We're having a party...every month!
All currently registered Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers are invited to our new Pool Pirates Swim School Pirate Parties.
These parties are an opportunity for parents to get in the water and swim with their Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers to have fun and to practice skills.
Lifeguards will be on duty. Open Swim rules apply. The parties are restricted to invited guests - that means Plebes, Pirates, and Voyagers from the session in progress on the date of the party and their immediate families. Each family in attendance must have at least one adult in the water.
There is no charge for these events. You may come any time and stay as long as you like.
All currently registered Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers are invited to our new Pool Pirates Swim School Pirate Parties.
These parties are an opportunity for parents to get in the water and swim with their Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers to have fun and to practice skills.
Lifeguards will be on duty. Open Swim rules apply. The parties are restricted to invited guests - that means Plebes, Pirates, and Voyagers from the session in progress on the date of the party and their immediate families. Each family in attendance must have at least one adult in the water.
There is no charge for these events. You may come any time and stay as long as you like.
All currently registered Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers are invited to our Pool Pirates Swim School Pirate Parties.
These parties are an opportunity for parents to get in the water and swim with their Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers to have fun and to practice skills.
Lifeguards will be on duty. Open Swim rules apply. The parties are restricted to invited guests - that means Plebes, Pirates, and Voyagers from the session in progress on the date of the party and their immediate families. Each family in attendance must have at least one adult in the water.
These parties are an opportunity for parents to get in the water and swim with their Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers to have fun and to practice skills.
Lifeguards will be on duty. Open Swim rules apply. The parties are restricted to invited guests - that means Plebes, Pirates, and Voyagers from the session in progress on the date of the party and their immediate families. Each family in attendance must have at least one adult in the water.
_________________________________________________________
There is no charge for these event. You may come any time and stay as long as you like.
_________________________________________________________
SAVE THE DATES: You must RSVP to attend. aquatics@brownell.edu
_________________________________________________________
1. May 5, 5:00-7:00 PM
2. June 9, 9:00-11:00 AM
3. July 7, 5:00-7:00 PM
We swim for good times!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Office Hours
Ahoy!
Change of plan already. I'll be posting office hours at the top right hand side of this blog page.
See you at the pool!
Jeanie
Change of plan already. I'll be posting office hours at the top right hand side of this blog page.
See you at the pool!
Jeanie
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Office Hours - Communication
Ahoy!
Wow, time flies! I apologize for not being more timely with my posts. I'll do better in the future.
Creating this blog was one attempt to improve communication with parents. It will help only if I post on a regular basis, and if you check in on a regular basis.
I am at the pool from open to close almost every day. However, I'm in the water for many of these hours and on the lifeguard stand for many more. I've published my cell phone on the website - 402.505.2438 - to make it easier to get ahold of me in the evenings after 9 PM. (It's never too early or too late to call!)
Additionally, beginning this week, I've added two Office Hours a week. I will be sitting in the pool office during these hours accepting phone calls and welcoming drop-in visitors. The hours will be posted each week on the THIS WEEK AT B-T calendar. (My schedule varies from week to week.)
I'm also available by email at aquatics@brownell.edu. You can always see if I'm at the pool because my teaching schedule is posted online for each session. You can check this session at www.btaquatics.org/spring2008.htm.
I hope this helps! I want to hear from you if you have questions or concerns, or compliments.
And speaking of concerns...
You are all somewhat the victims of my past coaching experience. Most of my coaching has been with senior level swimmers for years. When you coach senior (ages 15+) athletes who are experienced swimmers, interaction with parents is very minimal. The relationship is between the athlete and coach. The limited communication with parents usually consists of conversations regarding travel arrangements or training expenses. (As as matter of fact, once swimmers got their drivers licenses, I could go years without even speaking to some parents.)
In addition to my predisposition to focus only on the child and to not communicate much with parents, our no-level swimming system, while very efficient for scheduling and very effective in helping children learn to swim, does not have report cards or advancement tests of any kind. I'm passionate about two things: drowning prevention and competitive swimming. I'm focused on teaching children to float on their backs and then everything else I do is geared toward getting them on the swim team eventually. That's why stroke technique is so important in our program.
I've heard all kinds of horror stories from adults of the years about the misery of not "passing" swimming lessons or a particular level. Learning to swim is sometimes stressful and there is no reason to add this additional pressure. You keep practicing until you learn how to swim...however long that takes. We have a WHAT NEXT flyer posted on the website to help you know the progression for your child. www.btaquatics.org/WHATNEXT.pdf
The third "problem" affecting communication is that our program is in high demand. We are completely sold out and have a fairly long waiting list should someone cancel. In my attempt to accomodate more swimmers I scheduled lots of classes and scheduled them back to back.
In doing this I lost the opportunity to have casual communication with parents between lessons. This blog was my attempt at replacing that communication with a more "formal" approach. I'm going to continue to post information that will be helpful as you as you watch your children learn to swim. (Previous posts have included helpful hints in watching and evaluating your child's progress.)
I need and value input from parents. I welcome anything that helps me help your children. It is especially important to hear from new parents and from parents of children learning with our new coaches. We have some very good new staff members and they are developing into great coaches. They need to hear from you too.
I appreciate hearing from parents and I hope the new office hours will make it easier for you to communicate with me.
Please check back here soon for more information.
Keep swimming for good times!
Jeanie
Wow, time flies! I apologize for not being more timely with my posts. I'll do better in the future.
Creating this blog was one attempt to improve communication with parents. It will help only if I post on a regular basis, and if you check in on a regular basis.
I am at the pool from open to close almost every day. However, I'm in the water for many of these hours and on the lifeguard stand for many more. I've published my cell phone on the website - 402.505.2438 - to make it easier to get ahold of me in the evenings after 9 PM. (It's never too early or too late to call!)
Additionally, beginning this week, I've added two Office Hours a week. I will be sitting in the pool office during these hours accepting phone calls and welcoming drop-in visitors. The hours will be posted each week on the THIS WEEK AT B-T calendar. (My schedule varies from week to week.)
I'm also available by email at aquatics@brownell.edu. You can always see if I'm at the pool because my teaching schedule is posted online for each session. You can check this session at www.btaquatics.org/spring2008.htm.
I hope this helps! I want to hear from you if you have questions or concerns, or compliments.
And speaking of concerns...
You are all somewhat the victims of my past coaching experience. Most of my coaching has been with senior level swimmers for years. When you coach senior (ages 15+) athletes who are experienced swimmers, interaction with parents is very minimal. The relationship is between the athlete and coach. The limited communication with parents usually consists of conversations regarding travel arrangements or training expenses. (As as matter of fact, once swimmers got their drivers licenses, I could go years without even speaking to some parents.)
In addition to my predisposition to focus only on the child and to not communicate much with parents, our no-level swimming system, while very efficient for scheduling and very effective in helping children learn to swim, does not have report cards or advancement tests of any kind. I'm passionate about two things: drowning prevention and competitive swimming. I'm focused on teaching children to float on their backs and then everything else I do is geared toward getting them on the swim team eventually. That's why stroke technique is so important in our program.
I've heard all kinds of horror stories from adults of the years about the misery of not "passing" swimming lessons or a particular level. Learning to swim is sometimes stressful and there is no reason to add this additional pressure. You keep practicing until you learn how to swim...however long that takes. We have a WHAT NEXT flyer posted on the website to help you know the progression for your child. www.btaquatics.org/WHATNEXT.pdf
The third "problem" affecting communication is that our program is in high demand. We are completely sold out and have a fairly long waiting list should someone cancel. In my attempt to accomodate more swimmers I scheduled lots of classes and scheduled them back to back.
In doing this I lost the opportunity to have casual communication with parents between lessons. This blog was my attempt at replacing that communication with a more "formal" approach. I'm going to continue to post information that will be helpful as you as you watch your children learn to swim. (Previous posts have included helpful hints in watching and evaluating your child's progress.)
I need and value input from parents. I welcome anything that helps me help your children. It is especially important to hear from new parents and from parents of children learning with our new coaches. We have some very good new staff members and they are developing into great coaches. They need to hear from you too.
I appreciate hearing from parents and I hope the new office hours will make it easier for you to communicate with me.
Please check back here soon for more information.
Keep swimming for good times!
Jeanie
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tickle - T - What?
Introducing the TADPOLE! I've made a small, but significant change to our program recently. We've always used elementary backstroke arms with no kick as way to help swimmers learn to establish and maintain aquatic balance. Aquatic balance is the most important swimming skill. We will continue to teach this first, but to give it even more "importance," I have decided to make this skill a stroke - the Tadpole. Now, when swimmers have learned to do this skill they will have mastered the entire Tadpole stroke instead of half of the elementary backstroke.
The words for the Tadpole arm pull are "Tickle, T, Touch." The new words for the elementary backstroke are "Little Starfish, Big Starfish, Swim!" (Thanks, Connor Skutt!)
The skills sheet has been updated to reflect the emphasis placed on the Tadpole.
Again, we have not changed our teaching method or skills progression. Someday when the Tadpole is added to the Olympic program, you can say you swam it here first!
Swim for good times!
Jeanie Neal
The words for the Tadpole arm pull are "Tickle, T, Touch." The new words for the elementary backstroke are "Little Starfish, Big Starfish, Swim!" (Thanks, Connor Skutt!)
The skills sheet has been updated to reflect the emphasis placed on the Tadpole.
Again, we have not changed our teaching method or skills progression. Someday when the Tadpole is added to the Olympic program, you can say you swam it here first!
Swim for good times!
Jeanie Neal
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Summer Schedule Revisited
Ahoy!
A local swim coach and regular Face-Up First blog reader, Ellen Stryker, emailed me in response to my Summer Schedule post from earlier today. She pointed out that swimmers who take lessons once per week and then practice in between often learn more quickly than those who take lessons every day with no time for extra practice on their own between lessons. Point well taken, Coach! Please consider Ellen's recommendation when planning your summer schedule. Practice, practice, practice. Swimming is fun. Visit a pool - any pool - often!
Thanks, Ellen.
Swim for good times!
-jn
A local swim coach and regular Face-Up First blog reader, Ellen Stryker, emailed me in response to my Summer Schedule post from earlier today. She pointed out that swimmers who take lessons once per week and then practice in between often learn more quickly than those who take lessons every day with no time for extra practice on their own between lessons. Point well taken, Coach! Please consider Ellen's recommendation when planning your summer schedule. Practice, practice, practice. Swimming is fun. Visit a pool - any pool - often!
Thanks, Ellen.
Swim for good times!
-jn
Summer Schedule
Ahoy, Mates!
Summer lessons are filling up. That's great! I've received several phone calls and emails asking about the relative quality of two-week sessions swimming every day versus six or eight week sessions swimming once per week.
In my too-many-to-admit years of coaching it has been my experience that swimmers learn eight lessons worth of information and skill in eight lessons whether those lessons are held daily or spaced a week apart.
So the answer to everyone's question is, "Yes, it does take longer to learn to swim if you take lessons once a week versus taking them every day." But that's only because it takes eight weeks to complete the lessons instead of eight days. Each lesson is no less effective by being spaced a full week apart.
I've never tried monthly lessons, but my guess is there is a point of diminishing returns so we won't be offering that option any time soon!
Register for the sessions that you know you can make without difficulty. The more the better, of course. Swimming is a necessary life skill, and it's fun!
-jn
Summer lessons are filling up. That's great! I've received several phone calls and emails asking about the relative quality of two-week sessions swimming every day versus six or eight week sessions swimming once per week.
In my too-many-to-admit years of coaching it has been my experience that swimmers learn eight lessons worth of information and skill in eight lessons whether those lessons are held daily or spaced a week apart.
So the answer to everyone's question is, "Yes, it does take longer to learn to swim if you take lessons once a week versus taking them every day." But that's only because it takes eight weeks to complete the lessons instead of eight days. Each lesson is no less effective by being spaced a full week apart.
I've never tried monthly lessons, but my guess is there is a point of diminishing returns so we won't be offering that option any time soon!
Register for the sessions that you know you can make without difficulty. The more the better, of course. Swimming is a necessary life skill, and it's fun!
-jn
Monday, March 3, 2008
VOYAGERS LEG #1
Ahoy, Mates!
We have completed LEG #1 of the Spring Voyage. Our Voyagers swam FAST by working on the following:
Fitness: Set of Backstroke 100's
Attitude: "Last one...make it the best one." "Be nice." when passing.
Skills: Backstroke starting position, streamlines, and finishes
Technique: Correct head position for backstroke
Week #1 Voyagers learned...
1. how to line up on the right side of the lane.
2. how to start 10 seconds apart.
3. how to position themselves for a backstroke start. (Hands, feet, butt, head)
4. how to circle swim.
5. their backstroke number.
6. how to do a proper backstroke finish (good count, fast, proper finish position, touch under silver).
7. what the flags are and what they mean (SPEED UP, the wall is coming.)
8. the words for a streamline. (Hand over Hand, Wrist over Wrist, SQUEEZE)
9. how far to streamline. (At least to the end of the blue / at least to the flags)
10. when to streamline. (every wall, every time)
11. the length of the B-T pool. (25 yards)
12. proper head position for backstroke. (In-line, ears in the water, rock solid still)
13. what happens when you move your head from proper alignment. (It slows you down and makes you tired.)
14. to "Be nice," when you pass. (Pass quickly, move over when being passed.)
15. Last one...Make it the best one!
16. the number one rule in backstroke. (Stay on your back!)
17. what do we swim for? (Good Times!)
LEG #2: Freestyle!
We have completed LEG #1 of the Spring Voyage. Our Voyagers swam FAST by working on the following:
Fitness: Set of Backstroke 100's
Attitude: "Last one...make it the best one." "Be nice." when passing.
Skills: Backstroke starting position, streamlines, and finishes
Technique: Correct head position for backstroke
Week #1 Voyagers learned...
1. how to line up on the right side of the lane.
2. how to start 10 seconds apart.
3. how to position themselves for a backstroke start. (Hands, feet, butt, head)
4. how to circle swim.
5. their backstroke number.
6. how to do a proper backstroke finish (good count, fast, proper finish position, touch under silver).
7. what the flags are and what they mean (SPEED UP, the wall is coming.)
8. the words for a streamline. (Hand over Hand, Wrist over Wrist, SQUEEZE)
9. how far to streamline. (At least to the end of the blue / at least to the flags)
10. when to streamline. (every wall, every time)
11. the length of the B-T pool. (25 yards)
12. proper head position for backstroke. (In-line, ears in the water, rock solid still)
13. what happens when you move your head from proper alignment. (It slows you down and makes you tired.)
14. to "Be nice," when you pass. (Pass quickly, move over when being passed.)
15. Last one...Make it the best one!
16. the number one rule in backstroke. (Stay on your back!)
17. what do we swim for? (Good Times!)
LEG #2: Freestyle!
VOYAGER BLOG CONTEST
ATTENTION VOYAGERS: Send me an email and you could win! Send an email to aquatics@brownell.edu telling me who broke the American Record in the Women's 1650 yard freestyle on March 2 with an astounding time of 15:24.35. The first three Voyagers who send in the correct answer will win prizes. Entries must be received by Friday, March 7.
http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/17342.asp
http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/17342.asp
Saturday, February 23, 2008
VOYAGER BLOG CONTEST
ATTENTION VOYAGERS: Send me an email and you could win! Send an email to aquatics@brownell.edu telling me who broke the 18-year-old Women's 200 Meter Backstroke World Record last weekend in Columbia, Missouri. The first three Voyagers who send in the correct answer will win prizes. Entries must be received by February 29. http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Feb/20080217Spor006.asp
Swim Stars Live 2
Mutual of Omaha hosted the Swim Stars Live 2 event on Thursday night. Several B-T swimmers attended and got to see the members of the Mutual of Omaha Gold Medal Team up close! The event began with a parade of champions followed by a question and answer session. B-T swimmer, Austin Kent, did a great job as our club reporter. Later in the evening, everyone moved to the dome area for an autograph session. Several of our swimmers told me their favorite part was getting to hold Olympic Gold Medals.
Aaron Peirsol, autographed some Face-Up First caps for us. Aaron was the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 100 and 200 meter backstrokes. He is a very fast FACE-UP FIRST swimmer!
Mutual of Omaha is a longtime sponsor of USA Swimming. You learn more about the Gold Medal team at http://www.mutualofomaha.com/usaswim/. Click on "Meet Our Swimmers."
Mutual of Omaha also sponsors our own Mutual of Omaha B-T 500 Challenge.
If anyone who attended has photos of the event that you would like to share, I'd like to post them on the website. Please send them to me at aquatics@brownell.edu.
Aaron Peirsol, autographed some Face-Up First caps for us. Aaron was the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 100 and 200 meter backstrokes. He is a very fast FACE-UP FIRST swimmer!
Mutual of Omaha is a longtime sponsor of USA Swimming. You learn more about the Gold Medal team at http://www.mutualofomaha.com/usaswim/. Click on "Meet Our Swimmers."
Mutual of Omaha also sponsors our own Mutual of Omaha B-T 500 Challenge.
If anyone who attended has photos of the event that you would like to share, I'd like to post them on the website. Please send them to me at aquatics@brownell.edu.
Monday, February 18, 2008
LB1135 Part 2
Greetings!
I wrote a rather lengthy post last week concerning my opinions on LB 1135. http://faceupfirst.blogspot.com/2008/02/lb1135-right-to-participate-right-to.html
Since then, some changes have been proposed for the bill. I've copied the revised text below. Both of my concerns have been addressed in the wording below. I wholeheartedly support LB1135 as shown here.
The Nebraska School Activities Association will not allow or shall not adopt any rules and regulations which:
1. Infringe in any manner on the right of a student to compete in or train for any non high school event/activity, provided that the student meets the high school established requirements for participation in the like high school program; and
2. Impose any form of punishment or sanction against any high school student for competing in or training for any non high school event/activity, provided that the student meets the high school established requirements for participation in the like high school program.
I wrote a rather lengthy post last week concerning my opinions on LB 1135. http://faceupfirst.blogspot.com/2008/02/lb1135-right-to-participate-right-to.html
Since then, some changes have been proposed for the bill. I've copied the revised text below. Both of my concerns have been addressed in the wording below. I wholeheartedly support LB1135 as shown here.
The Nebraska School Activities Association will not allow or shall not adopt any rules and regulations which:
1. Infringe in any manner on the right of a student to compete in or train for any non high school event/activity, provided that the student meets the high school established requirements for participation in the like high school program; and
2. Impose any form of punishment or sanction against any high school student for competing in or training for any non high school event/activity, provided that the student meets the high school established requirements for participation in the like high school program.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
LB1135 "Right to Participate - Right to Excel"
LB 1135 "Right to Participate - Right to Excel" has been introduced into the 2008 Nebraska Legislature. The Education Committee will be conducting a hearing on February 25 at 1:30 PM.
Judging from the number of emails and phone calls I've received, this issue is causing quite a stir in the swimming community. Several parents and swimmers have asked me about my opinions on the proposed bill. Yesterday, I heard someone quoting me on this issue, or rather misquoting me! This post is to document my position. Please keep in mind that this is my opinion. I am not speaking for the B-T Athletic Department or Brownell-Talbot School. I should also point out that I am not currently a high school coach or an active club coach.
You can read the proposed bill yourself at http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/web/public/home. (You'll have to type in LB 1135 to get to the page for the bill, and then click on "Introduced Copy" to see the text."
Currently students/athletes participating in high school sports are prohibited from receiving outside coaching, training with, or competing with "club" sports teams during the high school season. This bill, if passed, would require the NSAA to allow students to participate in club sports during the high school season.
Copied below is the letter I emailed to my State Senator and to the members of the Education Committee. I've gotten a few detailed responses. I assumed I was just being tallied, but I'm very pleased to report that the responses I've received show that those involved are trying to get more information. I would encourage you to write to your senator or to the Education Committee if you have an opinion on this issue - whatever that opinion may be.
From: Jeanie Neal [mailto:jeneal@brownell.edu] Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 7:33 AMTo: 'rraikes@leg.ne.gov'; 'gkopplin@leg.ne.gov'; 'gadams@leg.ne.gov'; 'bashford@leg.ne.gov'; 'bavery@leg.ne.gov'; 'cburling@leg.ne.gov'; 'ghoward@leg.ne.gov'; 'jjohnson@leg.ne.gov'Cc: 'jsynowiecki@leg.ne.gov'Subject: LB1135
Legislature Education Committee Members:
I am grateful to see that there will be a hearing on LB 1135 Right to Participate, Right to Excel on February 25.
In my opinion, the best chance our athletes have of attaining their goals at all levels is to forge a productive relationship between clubs and high school programs. The focus of high school coaches is generally on the team's needs for this season and the focus of the club coaches is generally on the individual athlete's needs over at least a four year period if not a career. Club coaches think in terms of what sacrifices need to be made to further the goals of the athlete and high school coaches think in terms of subjugating individual needs for the good of the team. Both approaches and philosophies are reasonable, appropriate, and do not have to be mutually exclusive. It is my opinion that coaches share the common value of respecting youth competitive sports and the benefits they offer to all the participants. Coaches are professionals and should rightly be charged with the responsibility to mutually support each other's efforts for the good of the athletes. I have every confidence that this can happen as it does throughout the country.
This legislation is needed to give coaches the freedom to forge these relationships and explore these options and create as many opportunities for participation and excellence as possible.
I have two concerns with LB1135. Perhaps there is room for a compromise position.
1. Remove the references to the US Olympic Committee and National Governing Body entirely. If this is a parents' choice issue then it should be a parent's choice issue and should support all those involved in events covered by the NSAA regardless of whether or not it is covered by a National Governing Body or leads to the Olympics. Why should it be okay to play basketball for Nebraska Bison/Runza, but not for your local parish church? That is a real economic issue for many families. If you can afford the club - you get the exception. If you can't afford the club and want to compete locally, tough luck. (I don't know the reason for restricting the bill to these sports. I suspect it has something to do with using the Amateur Athletic Act for support for this bill and it only covers these sports, but I really don't know.) Perhaps a compromise could be to include rather than limit the bill to these sports... "including any sport governed by..." That would tie the bill to the Amateur Athletic Act without excluding other activities or sending the wrong message about the intent of the rule.
2. Add wording similar to the bill in Missouri that says that outside training and competition can take place without sanction from the high schools only after the requirements of the high school program have been met. Correspondence sent out by proponents of the bill would indicate that this is their intent, but it was not originally stated in the bill. Authority must be given to the high school coach. The rel ationship between high school and club coaches needs to be mutually supportive and mutually reinforcing.
I've copied the wording from the Missouri Bill below. The Missouri wording reflects a sense of the value of high school and the focus on the parents selecting what a child does outside of school. The Nebraska bill focus seems to devalue high school athletics and only value efforts by students that lead to the Olympics. I believe those ideas might be considered very narrow view points by some who promote youth sports and activities at all ability levels.
I have experience as an athlete, high school coach, and club coach under the NSAA system. I am a proud swimming alumnus of Lincoln Northeast High School and coached club in Nebraska for many years as well as coaching at Lincoln Northeast, Millard South, and Brownell-Talbot. In addition, I coached high school and club for almost twenty years in South Florida before returning to Nebraska to continue coaching here. I can speak from much experience on this subject.
The focus needs to be moved from the relative quality of high school programs and high school versus club programs, and from athletes attempting to get to the Olympics. The focus of this bill should be on choice and responsibility. As a coach, I would like to require lots of things from my athletes - behaviors and attitudes that I know will help them excel in swimming. Unfortunately, all I can do is have expectations of commitment during practice and meets, and provide them with the best coaching I am able at practice and meets. I can try to inspire my athletes to make good choices outside of the swimming pool, but I can't require them to do these things. Their free time is their own.
This bill, if amended to include protection for the high school programs to establish their requirements for participation, poses no threat to high school team swimming in Nebraska and provides for the opportunity for coaches and athletes to explore opportunities to help each athlete achieve their individual goals. It is a win-win proposition as it has been throughout the country.
This bill, if amended to eliminate wording involving National Governing Bodies and Olympic Development, sends a message to our athletes that we value the pursuit of athletic achievement at all levels without compromising the integrity and traditions of both participation and excellence of high school team competition.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanie Neal
Jeanie Neal
900 Farnam Street #815
Omaha, NE 68132
402.505.2438
Missouri
SCS/SB 1366 - This substitute prohibits any public school district from creating a regulation, engaging in discriminatory behavior relating to, or entering into any agreement or contract with any entity that:
(1) Infringes in any manner on the opportunity of a student athlete to compete in or train for any sport, provided that the student athlete meets the requirements for participation in the high school program; and
(2) Levies any form of punishment or sanction against any student athlete for competing in or training for any sport, provided that the student athlete meets the requirements for participation in the high school program.
I've seen a copy of a letter sent to all the swim clubs, including the B-T Raiders. While I commend the author for taking action and trying to help get this bill passed, I do not agree with many statements made in the letter. It is my opinion that this bill is needed to allow for FULL participation, not just ELITE LEVEL participation.
I am a long time supporter of high school athletics. So, as much as I think it is needed, I wouldn't want to see this bill passed in it's present form. I have seen a draft of an amended bill that added wording about meeting requirements of the high school before participating outside of school. I think that's great. I've been told recently that the words "Olympic Sports" will be struck from the bill, but I haven't seen a completed draft. Hopefully a compromise can be reached.
For what it's worth, that's my opinion on LB1135. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the pool. I would also encourage you to post a comment.
Judging from the number of emails and phone calls I've received, this issue is causing quite a stir in the swimming community. Several parents and swimmers have asked me about my opinions on the proposed bill. Yesterday, I heard someone quoting me on this issue, or rather misquoting me! This post is to document my position. Please keep in mind that this is my opinion. I am not speaking for the B-T Athletic Department or Brownell-Talbot School. I should also point out that I am not currently a high school coach or an active club coach.
You can read the proposed bill yourself at http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/web/public/home. (You'll have to type in LB 1135 to get to the page for the bill, and then click on "Introduced Copy" to see the text."
Currently students/athletes participating in high school sports are prohibited from receiving outside coaching, training with, or competing with "club" sports teams during the high school season. This bill, if passed, would require the NSAA to allow students to participate in club sports during the high school season.
Copied below is the letter I emailed to my State Senator and to the members of the Education Committee. I've gotten a few detailed responses. I assumed I was just being tallied, but I'm very pleased to report that the responses I've received show that those involved are trying to get more information. I would encourage you to write to your senator or to the Education Committee if you have an opinion on this issue - whatever that opinion may be.
From: Jeanie Neal [mailto:jeneal@brownell.edu] Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 7:33 AMTo: 'rraikes@leg.ne.gov'; 'gkopplin@leg.ne.gov'; 'gadams@leg.ne.gov'; 'bashford@leg.ne.gov'; 'bavery@leg.ne.gov'; 'cburling@leg.ne.gov'; 'ghoward@leg.ne.gov'; 'jjohnson@leg.ne.gov'Cc: 'jsynowiecki@leg.ne.gov'Subject: LB1135
Legislature Education Committee Members:
I am grateful to see that there will be a hearing on LB 1135 Right to Participate, Right to Excel on February 25.
In my opinion, the best chance our athletes have of attaining their goals at all levels is to forge a productive relationship between clubs and high school programs. The focus of high school coaches is generally on the team's needs for this season and the focus of the club coaches is generally on the individual athlete's needs over at least a four year period if not a career. Club coaches think in terms of what sacrifices need to be made to further the goals of the athlete and high school coaches think in terms of subjugating individual needs for the good of the team. Both approaches and philosophies are reasonable, appropriate, and do not have to be mutually exclusive. It is my opinion that coaches share the common value of respecting youth competitive sports and the benefits they offer to all the participants. Coaches are professionals and should rightly be charged with the responsibility to mutually support each other's efforts for the good of the athletes. I have every confidence that this can happen as it does throughout the country.
This legislation is needed to give coaches the freedom to forge these relationships and explore these options and create as many opportunities for participation and excellence as possible.
I have two concerns with LB1135. Perhaps there is room for a compromise position.
1. Remove the references to the US Olympic Committee and National Governing Body entirely. If this is a parents' choice issue then it should be a parent's choice issue and should support all those involved in events covered by the NSAA regardless of whether or not it is covered by a National Governing Body or leads to the Olympics. Why should it be okay to play basketball for Nebraska Bison/Runza, but not for your local parish church? That is a real economic issue for many families. If you can afford the club - you get the exception. If you can't afford the club and want to compete locally, tough luck. (I don't know the reason for restricting the bill to these sports. I suspect it has something to do with using the Amateur Athletic Act for support for this bill and it only covers these sports, but I really don't know.) Perhaps a compromise could be to include rather than limit the bill to these sports... "including any sport governed by..." That would tie the bill to the Amateur Athletic Act without excluding other activities or sending the wrong message about the intent of the rule.
2. Add wording similar to the bill in Missouri that says that outside training and competition can take place without sanction from the high schools only after the requirements of the high school program have been met. Correspondence sent out by proponents of the bill would indicate that this is their intent, but it was not originally stated in the bill. Authority must be given to the high school coach. The rel ationship between high school and club coaches needs to be mutually supportive and mutually reinforcing.
I've copied the wording from the Missouri Bill below. The Missouri wording reflects a sense of the value of high school and the focus on the parents selecting what a child does outside of school. The Nebraska bill focus seems to devalue high school athletics and only value efforts by students that lead to the Olympics. I believe those ideas might be considered very narrow view points by some who promote youth sports and activities at all ability levels.
I have experience as an athlete, high school coach, and club coach under the NSAA system. I am a proud swimming alumnus of Lincoln Northeast High School and coached club in Nebraska for many years as well as coaching at Lincoln Northeast, Millard South, and Brownell-Talbot. In addition, I coached high school and club for almost twenty years in South Florida before returning to Nebraska to continue coaching here. I can speak from much experience on this subject.
The focus needs to be moved from the relative quality of high school programs and high school versus club programs, and from athletes attempting to get to the Olympics. The focus of this bill should be on choice and responsibility. As a coach, I would like to require lots of things from my athletes - behaviors and attitudes that I know will help them excel in swimming. Unfortunately, all I can do is have expectations of commitment during practice and meets, and provide them with the best coaching I am able at practice and meets. I can try to inspire my athletes to make good choices outside of the swimming pool, but I can't require them to do these things. Their free time is their own.
This bill, if amended to include protection for the high school programs to establish their requirements for participation, poses no threat to high school team swimming in Nebraska and provides for the opportunity for coaches and athletes to explore opportunities to help each athlete achieve their individual goals. It is a win-win proposition as it has been throughout the country.
This bill, if amended to eliminate wording involving National Governing Bodies and Olympic Development, sends a message to our athletes that we value the pursuit of athletic achievement at all levels without compromising the integrity and traditions of both participation and excellence of high school team competition.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanie Neal
Jeanie Neal
900 Farnam Street #815
Omaha, NE 68132
402.505.2438
Missouri
SCS/SB 1366 - This substitute prohibits any public school district from creating a regulation, engaging in discriminatory behavior relating to, or entering into any agreement or contract with any entity that:
(1) Infringes in any manner on the opportunity of a student athlete to compete in or train for any sport, provided that the student athlete meets the requirements for participation in the high school program; and
(2) Levies any form of punishment or sanction against any student athlete for competing in or training for any sport, provided that the student athlete meets the requirements for participation in the high school program.
I've seen a copy of a letter sent to all the swim clubs, including the B-T Raiders. While I commend the author for taking action and trying to help get this bill passed, I do not agree with many statements made in the letter. It is my opinion that this bill is needed to allow for FULL participation, not just ELITE LEVEL participation.
I am a long time supporter of high school athletics. So, as much as I think it is needed, I wouldn't want to see this bill passed in it's present form. I have seen a draft of an amended bill that added wording about meeting requirements of the high school before participating outside of school. I think that's great. I've been told recently that the words "Olympic Sports" will be struck from the bill, but I haven't seen a completed draft. Hopefully a compromise can be reached.
For what it's worth, that's my opinion on LB1135. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the pool. I would also encourage you to post a comment.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Swimming & Cold Weather
In response to many inquiries from parents this month, I've looked everywhere I know trying to find information that would support staying out of the swimming pool during cold weather. I've not been able to find anything. I've read all the flyers on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website trying to find something that recommends wearing a hat or drying your hair or bundling up in cold weather to keep from getting a cold or the flu. They have several flyers promoting prevention of illness and not one of them list anything about wet hair or getting chilled as a risk factor for illness. Not one lists wearing a hat or drying your hair or not going outside after taking a shower as a recommended practice to prevent illness.
However the CDC does state the following: "Regular exercise is important to the maintenance and improvement of health."
The health benefits of swimming are many. Swimming works your whole body, improving cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, endurance, posture, and flexibility all at the same time.
I've listed some of the information I've found regarding swimming and cold weather. At the bottom of the list you will find the CDC recommendations for preventing colds and flu. Please follow these recommendations to help keep everyone healthy.
Bring your suit. Swim for your health, for your safety, and for the fun! Come on in! The water is a wonderfully warm 86 degrees year round!
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: "There is no evidence that you can get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated."
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/colds/cause.htm
American Lung Association: "Myth: You can catch the flu or a cold from going outdoors in cold weather. Fact: The flu and colds are more common in the winter months because that is when the viruses spread across the country. It has nothing to do with being outside in cold weather." www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9o0E&b=35869
Barnes Care Connection: "Although many people are convinced that a cold results from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated, research has found that these conditions have little or no effect on the development or severity of a cold."
www.barnescare.com/barnescare_bcc_content.aspx?id=1459
OurOhio.org: "There is no evidence that your chances of getting a cold are related to factors such as exercise, diet, exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated."
http://ourohio.org/index.php?page=stop-cold-flu-germs
CommonCold.org: "Myth: Becoming cold or chilled leads to catching a cold. Fact: Almost everybody becomes infected whether they are chilled or not, if cold virus is dropped into the nose. Colds were no more frequent or severe in volunteers who were chilled than those who were not." http://www.commoncold.org/special1.htm
Department of Health and Human Services Centers of Disease Control and Prevention: "Prevention: Strict attention to infection-control practices should decrease or prevent spread of infection. Frequent handwashing and not sharing items such as cups, glasses, and utensils with an infected person should decrease the spread of the virus to others. Excluding children with colds or other respiratory illnesses (without fever) who are well enough to attend child care or school settings will probably not decrease the spread of HPIVs, because the viruses are often spread in the early stages of illness." www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/hpivfeat.htm
More CDC information: By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each year. However, there are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu. These are:
However the CDC does state the following: "Regular exercise is important to the maintenance and improvement of health."
The health benefits of swimming are many. Swimming works your whole body, improving cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, endurance, posture, and flexibility all at the same time.
I've listed some of the information I've found regarding swimming and cold weather. At the bottom of the list you will find the CDC recommendations for preventing colds and flu. Please follow these recommendations to help keep everyone healthy.
Bring your suit. Swim for your health, for your safety, and for the fun! Come on in! The water is a wonderfully warm 86 degrees year round!
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: "There is no evidence that you can get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated."
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/colds/cause.htm
American Lung Association: "Myth: You can catch the flu or a cold from going outdoors in cold weather. Fact: The flu and colds are more common in the winter months because that is when the viruses spread across the country. It has nothing to do with being outside in cold weather." www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9o0E&b=35869
Barnes Care Connection: "Although many people are convinced that a cold results from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated, research has found that these conditions have little or no effect on the development or severity of a cold."
www.barnescare.com/barnescare_bcc_content.aspx?id=1459
OurOhio.org: "There is no evidence that your chances of getting a cold are related to factors such as exercise, diet, exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated."
http://ourohio.org/index.php?page=stop-cold-flu-germs
CommonCold.org: "Myth: Becoming cold or chilled leads to catching a cold. Fact: Almost everybody becomes infected whether they are chilled or not, if cold virus is dropped into the nose. Colds were no more frequent or severe in volunteers who were chilled than those who were not." http://www.commoncold.org/special1.htm
Department of Health and Human Services Centers of Disease Control and Prevention: "Prevention: Strict attention to infection-control practices should decrease or prevent spread of infection. Frequent handwashing and not sharing items such as cups, glasses, and utensils with an infected person should decrease the spread of the virus to others. Excluding children with colds or other respiratory illnesses (without fever) who are well enough to attend child care or school settings will probably not decrease the spread of HPIVs, because the viruses are often spread in the early stages of illness." www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/hpivfeat.htm
More CDC information: By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each year. However, there are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu. These are:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/pdf/qa.pdf
KETV Channel 7 Story: Exercising when you have a cold: http://www.ketv.com/familyfitness/15112534/detail.html
FYI: I coached swimming in Jupiter, Florida for many, many years. Our swim team practiced year round in an outdoor pool. The rule for morning practice was 40 degrees we practice, 39 degees we don't practice. All of our swimmers were to check the Weather Channel and whatever the temperature was at 5:00 AM, that's the temp we used to determine whether or not to have swim practice that morning. We didn't have a temperature rule for afternoon/evening practices. We just swam regardless of the temperature.
We had hundreds of swimmers of all ages swim on our team over the years and the subject of swimming in cold weather leading to illness never came up! We didn't swim below 40 degrees because it wasn't much fun, not because we thought someone might get sick. (Mostly it wasn't much fun for Coach Neal to stand on the deck when it was in the 30's. The swimmers were just fine.) We regularly practiced in the morning and in the evening in temperatures in the 40's, 50's, and 60's. We always swam in the wind and rain. The only weather condition that would result in suspension of practice was lightning in the immediate area.
Swimming lessons were conducted in the outdoor pool year round and there was no temperature set for closing the pool to open swim. The pools remain open for lap and open swimming regardless of the air temperature. Swimmers would be very angry if they were told they couldn't swim because it's too cold. It's over 80 in the water, that's all that matters.
Of course, there are people who like to swim in cold water, not just in cold weather. Those people are just silly, silly, silly! I won't even take the time to write about such a crazy practice, no matter what the health benefits may be. Our pool is kept at a lovely 86 degrees year round. -jn
Swimming Safety Issues
Many parents seem to see participating in swimming as a "right". Children come to our pool all the time and want to be caught going off the board. They don't know how to swim, but at other pools they are allowed to jump off the board as long as someone catches them and assists them to the side.
Other children show up at our pool wearing flotation devices and believe that they should be allowed to wear them and have full use of all areas of the pool.
Five and six year old children are dropped off at the pool for open swim for hours at a time unsupervised by parents or other caregivers.
Apparently some parents believe that everyone has the same right to use the pool regardless of swimming ability. I disagree.
Parents and children don't seem to feel this same sense of entitlement for other activities. There seems to be more of a sense of age and ability appropriateness. Parents don't give bikes to children who can't walk yet. Bowling parties aren't planned for children who can't pick up a bowling ball. Three-year-olds don't often take thirty of their friends and go to a baseball game for a birthday party. Groups of kindergarteners don't often get dropped off at the movies or the mall and get picked up by their parents at the door two hours later.
However, swimmers who can't swim independently and who can't stand up in our 4' pool are routinely dropped off at the pool for private pool parties and open swim. Since we started our swim test rule over a year ago, these swimmers are not allowed to participate in swimming activities at our pool parties. I know that we've kept them safe, but I feel bad for those kids.
Children should be allowed to participate in swimming parties when they know how to swim independently. I don't think there is a more fun or an easier way to host a birthday party than a pool party at the Theisen Pool. However, it's not fun if you can't swim. It's not safe if you can't swim. Parents, it's okay to say "no." Learn to swim first and then host or attend a pool party.
When planning a pool party, please include only those that you are confident can pass our swimming test. If you have non-swimmers among the people you want to invite, plan something else so everyone can be safe. I know that everyone planning a party is doing so for the enjoyment of their guests and wouldn't want anyone to be uncomfortable, unsafe, or feel left out. We have invitation inserts available to print from our pool rental page informing all of your guests about our swim test rules.
Recently, we had four parties in one weekend, and I had to go into the water twice during the swim tests to retrieve young "swimmers." It wasn't fun for me or for the swimmers. I believe that these two swimmers would have had much more fun doing something else to celebrate their friends' birthdays. There were several swimmers at the parties that could just barely pass the 15' swim test. These swimmers spent most of the party watching their friends have fun. Again, I think another choice of venue might have been more appropriate.
The Theisen Pool is a public place, whether attending a private party or open swim. Please do not drop off children at the pool that you would not drop off at other public places alone. If you would not drop off your five-year-old at the mall to meet up with friends for a few hours, do not drop them off at the swimming pool without supervision. Our lifeguards will keep them safe while they are in the water, but our hallways, spectator areas, and locker rooms are not supervised. Neither do we keep children from leaving the pool area. Pool patrons are free to come and go at will.
Again, pool parties are great! The swimming pool is a wonderful place for children to hang out. We welcome "pool rats" hanging out at the Theisen Pool on Saturday afternoons. I'm asking that parents please consider the age, maturity, and swimming ability of your children when choosing water-related activities.
If you have any questions about pool party safety at our pool or in your own backyard pool, feel free to contact me at the pool office.
Jeanie Neal, aquatics@brownell.edu, 402.556.1205
Other children show up at our pool wearing flotation devices and believe that they should be allowed to wear them and have full use of all areas of the pool.
Five and six year old children are dropped off at the pool for open swim for hours at a time unsupervised by parents or other caregivers.
Apparently some parents believe that everyone has the same right to use the pool regardless of swimming ability. I disagree.
Parents and children don't seem to feel this same sense of entitlement for other activities. There seems to be more of a sense of age and ability appropriateness. Parents don't give bikes to children who can't walk yet. Bowling parties aren't planned for children who can't pick up a bowling ball. Three-year-olds don't often take thirty of their friends and go to a baseball game for a birthday party. Groups of kindergarteners don't often get dropped off at the movies or the mall and get picked up by their parents at the door two hours later.
However, swimmers who can't swim independently and who can't stand up in our 4' pool are routinely dropped off at the pool for private pool parties and open swim. Since we started our swim test rule over a year ago, these swimmers are not allowed to participate in swimming activities at our pool parties. I know that we've kept them safe, but I feel bad for those kids.
Children should be allowed to participate in swimming parties when they know how to swim independently. I don't think there is a more fun or an easier way to host a birthday party than a pool party at the Theisen Pool. However, it's not fun if you can't swim. It's not safe if you can't swim. Parents, it's okay to say "no." Learn to swim first and then host or attend a pool party.
When planning a pool party, please include only those that you are confident can pass our swimming test. If you have non-swimmers among the people you want to invite, plan something else so everyone can be safe. I know that everyone planning a party is doing so for the enjoyment of their guests and wouldn't want anyone to be uncomfortable, unsafe, or feel left out. We have invitation inserts available to print from our pool rental page informing all of your guests about our swim test rules.
Recently, we had four parties in one weekend, and I had to go into the water twice during the swim tests to retrieve young "swimmers." It wasn't fun for me or for the swimmers. I believe that these two swimmers would have had much more fun doing something else to celebrate their friends' birthdays. There were several swimmers at the parties that could just barely pass the 15' swim test. These swimmers spent most of the party watching their friends have fun. Again, I think another choice of venue might have been more appropriate.
The Theisen Pool is a public place, whether attending a private party or open swim. Please do not drop off children at the pool that you would not drop off at other public places alone. If you would not drop off your five-year-old at the mall to meet up with friends for a few hours, do not drop them off at the swimming pool without supervision. Our lifeguards will keep them safe while they are in the water, but our hallways, spectator areas, and locker rooms are not supervised. Neither do we keep children from leaving the pool area. Pool patrons are free to come and go at will.
Again, pool parties are great! The swimming pool is a wonderful place for children to hang out. We welcome "pool rats" hanging out at the Theisen Pool on Saturday afternoons. I'm asking that parents please consider the age, maturity, and swimming ability of your children when choosing water-related activities.
If you have any questions about pool party safety at our pool or in your own backyard pool, feel free to contact me at the pool office.
Jeanie Neal, aquatics@brownell.edu, 402.556.1205
Monday, January 21, 2008
Caps & Goggles
Greetings,
We require that swim caps be worn by all Pool Pirates Swim School swimmers. Caps are available at the pool office for $6 each. Or you may wear a cap you purchase elsewhere.
We also have caps that Plebes and Pirates may borrow to use during a lesson. Voyagers are responsible for bringing their own caps and goggles.
We require that swim caps be worn by all Pool Pirates Swim School swimmers. Caps are available at the pool office for $6 each. Or you may wear a cap you purchase elsewhere.
We also have caps that Plebes and Pirates may borrow to use during a lesson. Voyagers are responsible for bringing their own caps and goggles.
- A cap keeps a swimmer significantly warmer during the lesson. (Many triathletes use two caps for warmth during their swims.)
- A cap causes water to sheet cleanly off a swimmer's head. Hair on the head causes water to drip annoyingly into the face.
- Our coaches hold onto the swimmers' heads during the lessons. It is much easier to hold and position the head properly when the swimmer is wearing a cap.
- Caps keep hair in place and off the face. You do not need to put all of your long hair into your cap. Just tie your hair back or braid it and use the cap over the hair on your head. To our swimmers with buzz cuts: We do not measure swimmers' hair to determine who wears a cap and who doesn't. Caps serve several purposes, not just keeping the hair out of your face. Wearing a cap improves your ability to learn to swim during our lessons.
We are happy to help swimmers put on caps and goggles prior to lessons, however, this does cut into teaching time. It helps if those with longer hair have it tied back before coming into the pool. If swimmers have their own caps and goggles, they should be wearing them already when they come through the door.
Let me know if you need a cap donning lesson. I'll be happy to help. -jn
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Super Swimmers!
Wow! Monday's Super-Swimmer Swim Off was great! Five swimmers ages 6-10 took the challenge. They each swam the 200 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, and 100 Individual Medley. The times for the three events were added together to make one Super Time. All participants received trophies and pizza. Results are listed below. Congratulations to you all! I'm so proud of you.
Sunny Washington, 7: 17:57.75
Victoria Bernhart, 7: 15:12.14
Olivia Wirth, 6: 13:55.26
Shade Grode, 10: 11:02.53
Jourdan Bowles, 9: 10:54.82
The events for the Super Swimmer Meet were selected because they are the three parts of our Mutual of Omaha B-T 500 Challenge. Completing a 200 freestyle demonstrates strength and endurance. The 200 backstroke swim demonstrates lifesaving endurance. The 100 Individual Medley demonstrates stroke proficiency in the four competitive strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and crawl stroke. The B-T 500 Challenge is open to anyone. Check it out: www.btaquatics.org/bt500.htm
I didn't receive any entries for the Mileage Monday scheduled for this Monday the 21st, so we won't have a meet. I encourage all Voyagers and adult lap swimmers to take the opportunity in February to swim a mile on Mileage Monday. Information is available on the website and at the pool. www.btaquatics.org/Mileage_Mondays.htm
ONLINE PAYMENT IS HERE! What you've all been asking for! You may now pay for Splash Meets and Swim School tuition on line using a credit card. The system is up and running.
WORLD RECORD RELAY: The World Record Relay event information is posted and we are accepting entries. www.btaquatics.org/worldrecordrelay.htm .
Have a great weekend! -jn
Sunny Washington, 7: 17:57.75
Victoria Bernhart, 7: 15:12.14
Olivia Wirth, 6: 13:55.26
Shade Grode, 10: 11:02.53
Jourdan Bowles, 9: 10:54.82
The events for the Super Swimmer Meet were selected because they are the three parts of our Mutual of Omaha B-T 500 Challenge. Completing a 200 freestyle demonstrates strength and endurance. The 200 backstroke swim demonstrates lifesaving endurance. The 100 Individual Medley demonstrates stroke proficiency in the four competitive strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and crawl stroke. The B-T 500 Challenge is open to anyone. Check it out: www.btaquatics.org/bt500.htm
I didn't receive any entries for the Mileage Monday scheduled for this Monday the 21st, so we won't have a meet. I encourage all Voyagers and adult lap swimmers to take the opportunity in February to swim a mile on Mileage Monday. Information is available on the website and at the pool. www.btaquatics.org/Mileage_Mondays.htm
ONLINE PAYMENT IS HERE! What you've all been asking for! You may now pay for Splash Meets and Swim School tuition on line using a credit card. The system is up and running.
WORLD RECORD RELAY: The World Record Relay event information is posted and we are accepting entries. www.btaquatics.org/worldrecordrelay.htm .
Have a great weekend! -jn
Monday, January 7, 2008
January Events & First Things First
Greetings & Happy New Year!
Welcome back, Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers! I hope you all had a great holiday season.
JANUARY EVENTS: We will be hosting two meets this month. The Super-Swimmer Swim Off will be held on Monday, January 14. The deadline to register is this Friday at 4:00 PM. This meet is for swimmers who can complete a 200 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, and a 100 IM. As with all our events, this one is open to the public. Tell your friends!
Did you know that Open Water Swimming will be contested as an Olympic event for the first time this summer in Beijiing? The Olympic distance is 10K. To celebrate this new event and to introduce the sport to our swimmers, we will be hosting an open water mile swim in August. To help swimmers prepare, we will host a series of one mile swims at our pool. The first of these will be held on January 21. The "pool mile" is 1650 yards (66 lengths of our pool). The Mileage Mondays are open to the public and to all ages and ability levels. We encourage all Voyagers and lap swimmers to consider going the distance! Entry forms are on line and available at the pool office window. The entry procedure is the same as for a splash meet. Entries are due by Friday before the meet. Heat Sheet with start times will be posted by Saturday afternoon. You can show up for your heat. You do not have to stay for all of the heats of the mile. Give it a try!
FIRST THINGS FIRST: In my last post I explained how we first help swimmers achieve and maintain aquatic balance and then help them add propulsive movements. This first things first philosophy - and having the patience to master one skill before attempting to move to the next applies to teaching propulsive movements to beginners and to helping improve stroke technique for experienced swimmers.
Building & Correcting Strokes
1. Head Position
2. Body Position
3. Arms & Legs
4. Hands & Feet
When coaches observe a stroke we look first at the swimmer's head position. Until proper head position is maintained it doesn't really matter what the rest of the body is doing. Once the head is held in line with the spine and in the water, we move on to working on body position. Next are the large movements of the arms and legs. Finally, we move on correct the hand position and pitch.
When working on your strokes or helping your children, remember first things first. It does no good to tell your child to shape their hand in a particular form to swim faster when he or she hasn't yet mastered the skill of keeping their head in line or using body roll.
The Voyagers cover this concept when we practice Training Habit #3 - Effort. We teach them that effort doesn't mean working hard, it means working smart. We want swimmers to swim at the prescribed pace using correct technique. Voyagers are taught that concentration means "thinking about one thing;" and that focus means "thinking about the right thing."
REGISTRATION: Registration is open for the Spring and Summer sessions. Fall registration will open on February 1.
Have a great week! JN
Welcome back, Pirates, Plebes, and Voyagers! I hope you all had a great holiday season.
JANUARY EVENTS: We will be hosting two meets this month. The Super-Swimmer Swim Off will be held on Monday, January 14. The deadline to register is this Friday at 4:00 PM. This meet is for swimmers who can complete a 200 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, and a 100 IM. As with all our events, this one is open to the public. Tell your friends!
Did you know that Open Water Swimming will be contested as an Olympic event for the first time this summer in Beijiing? The Olympic distance is 10K. To celebrate this new event and to introduce the sport to our swimmers, we will be hosting an open water mile swim in August. To help swimmers prepare, we will host a series of one mile swims at our pool. The first of these will be held on January 21. The "pool mile" is 1650 yards (66 lengths of our pool). The Mileage Mondays are open to the public and to all ages and ability levels. We encourage all Voyagers and lap swimmers to consider going the distance! Entry forms are on line and available at the pool office window. The entry procedure is the same as for a splash meet. Entries are due by Friday before the meet. Heat Sheet with start times will be posted by Saturday afternoon. You can show up for your heat. You do not have to stay for all of the heats of the mile. Give it a try!
FIRST THINGS FIRST: In my last post I explained how we first help swimmers achieve and maintain aquatic balance and then help them add propulsive movements. This first things first philosophy - and having the patience to master one skill before attempting to move to the next applies to teaching propulsive movements to beginners and to helping improve stroke technique for experienced swimmers.
Building & Correcting Strokes
1. Head Position
2. Body Position
3. Arms & Legs
4. Hands & Feet
When coaches observe a stroke we look first at the swimmer's head position. Until proper head position is maintained it doesn't really matter what the rest of the body is doing. Once the head is held in line with the spine and in the water, we move on to working on body position. Next are the large movements of the arms and legs. Finally, we move on correct the hand position and pitch.
When working on your strokes or helping your children, remember first things first. It does no good to tell your child to shape their hand in a particular form to swim faster when he or she hasn't yet mastered the skill of keeping their head in line or using body roll.
The Voyagers cover this concept when we practice Training Habit #3 - Effort. We teach them that effort doesn't mean working hard, it means working smart. We want swimmers to swim at the prescribed pace using correct technique. Voyagers are taught that concentration means "thinking about one thing;" and that focus means "thinking about the right thing."
REGISTRATION: Registration is open for the Spring and Summer sessions. Fall registration will open on February 1.
Have a great week! JN
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