by Beth Raub
Kids and sports…
It seems that being involved in a sport or physical activity has become an expectation for many kids in today’s society, but which is the right one for your child?
What haven’t you tried?
Soccer, football, softball, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, cheerleading, wrestling, tennis, dance, gymnastics? One activity that many families often skip over is swimming. In my many years of coaching, I can’t count the number of youth who have tried every sport or activity without finding their niche.
Finally, they try out for a swim team and discover their passion.
While swimming is a team sport in a sense, it is also a very individual sport. Succeeding in swimming takes great amounts of motivation, self-discipline, and accountability. Coaches and teammates can encourage team members to swim faster, but the effort lies with the individual.
There is so much to learn in swimming. Mastering skills takes concentration and consistency. There is no room for laziness or sloppiness.
Unlike many other sports, success in swimming will not come by practicing once or twice a week. Through hours of practice, swimmers develop a “feel for the water.” A feel for the water is the X Factor in swimming. Feel is referred to as an athlete’s “hold” on the water, their ability to gain traction on a fluid and translate it into forward movement.” For some swimmers, a feel for the water is a gift, while for others, it is a skill that must be learned.
What are some benefits of being part of a swim team?
For openers, it’s a great year-round activity. Being outside and swimming in the summertime is special, but there’s nothing quite as exciting as an indoor swimming competition. Swimmers create lifelong friendships – I’ve been around long enough to observe this over and over and over again.
Swimming provides the opportunity to learn life lessons, including patience, teamwork, empathy, respect, time management, and dedication. It provides challenges and helps kids learn to overcome them.
And did I mention that swimming is a lifetime sport? I’ll save that topic for another time!
The Sharks Swim Team has been a staple at the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County since 1983.
Hundreds of youth from Adams County and neighboring counties have reaped the benefits of being part of this program, many of whom have gone on to swim in college.
Our motto is: Once a Shark, always a Shark!
I’d love to talk with you about swimming and your kids, grandkids, kids you know, or just swimming in general. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me using the information below.
Beth Raub is Aquatic Director and Sharks Swim Team Developmental Coach at the YWCA of Gettysburg & Adams County. Contact her at gro.grubsyttegacwy@buarb or 717.334.9171 ext. 129.