Dedication

Ultimately individual dedication hinges on individual motivation. The athletes who often demonstrate the most dedication are those who love the sport and work to see themselves improve.

Levels of Dedication--- Which one are you?

1. No Dedication: Showing up at practice when I feel like it.
2. Minimum Dedication: Showing up to mandatory practices.
3. Moderate Dedication: Working hard at mandatory practices and some optional practices.
4. High Dedication: Working hard at all available practices and doing a little bit extra outside of the pool
5. Total Dedication: Working hard at all available practices and doing everything you can outside of the pool (mental training, nutrition, strength/flexibility training…)

Thought to remember

It is not only what you do when I am watching that counts, but really what you do when I am not.

I can not watch all of you all the time, but you can make yourself better all the time! This includes in and out of the water. It all counts!

Saturday Morning Practices 6:30- 9:45

Saturday morning practices are an important part of the swim week. It gets you used to swimming at a time when most of this groups races happen, during heats! Over the last few weeks the group has had less than 10 swimmers (50%) showing up for the one morning practice that we have. This is not a group were the swim practices our optional. Some of the group has been telling me where they have been and thank you for that. It is the only two hour practice that the group has and all provincial level athletes are in need of the work that happens in these practices. They are all important as it prepares you for the next level of swimming and allows technique to be taught and practiced in the same practice time more efficiently. We have the best lane space we have all week and we need to take advantage of it. If there is something that you have that prevents you from committing to Saturday morning practices please let me know.

FRIDAY CHANGES

Friday practices have now been moved from 4:00 to 6:00 including dry land for the rest of the season. Please check the website http://www.silvertide.ca/ for the May news and calendars.

Practice Changes May 1&2 EKI

Friday May 1: 4:00-6:00 including dryland
Saturday May 2: 6:30- 8:45 no dryland

Who Do You Swim For

From Craig Townsend
Champion swimmers train every day and swim at meets because it is their OWN personal ambition. No one else's, just their own. Sure, it's also nice to win for other people, such as parents, coach or friends, but if these other people became the MAIN reason why they trained everyday, they simply would NOT succeed, it's as simple as that.
If these swimmers do achieve some results, it would only be through sacrificing something far more important, such as happiness in their own life. This is a major point, because regularly I see swimmers becoming disillusioned with their swimming because they feel that they are striving for goals which are not their own, but someone else's. Often these swimmers feel pressured to perform, and often feel 'guilty' at the very thought of changing their goals to something they might actually want (such as changing events, meets, or even having a break) - all because they feel emotionally responsible to keep someone else happy.
The bottom line is this - you cannot succeed unless you enjoy what you are doing. This is NOT to say that you have to enjoy every single moment (there'll always be some areas which may not be enjoyable!), but the overall reason why you get out of bed in the morning must be because you are happy with what you are doing. This is actually a major principle which applies to 'life' as well as swimming - you must either enjoy it, or find a way to enjoy it - if you wish to succeed. No one else's motivation will ever be enough to keep you going, you must have the motivation inside you already. All champions are self-motivated, driven people, they know what they want and they go after it - and they would never, ever bother trying to accomplish something that did not motivate them, not even if their best friend wanted them to do it. This is because they'd know that it would be a simple waste of their time and energy.
It's important to swim for yourself, and no-one else. Because this is only kind of motivation which will succeed, or be for your own benefit. Once again, it is always NICE to win for other people, but don't make them your focus - or it will steer you in the wrong direction. Always follow your heart and do what makes you happy, and you cannot go wrong.

Punctuality

One thing that I would like to see this group improve on is punctuality at swim meets and at practices. You have been great at telling me when you are going to be away, but the number of swimmers showing up late has been increasing lately. Being on time is important. The end result is that you show respect for others and the program being offered.

Goal Setting

Long Course Goal Setting to take place Tuesday this week. Please bring a pencil and your goals in mind.

Changes

There are a few changes to be happening within the Senior Development Group. We will be saying goodbye and good luck in Senior/Senior Step-up to Robyn, Jasmin, Melissa, Brendan and Kevin, while Ryan and Matt will move up all but two days a week. Never forget the little things that you have learnt in Senior Development. Keep working on your skills and your strength and flexibility everyday! While saying goodbye to a few we will be welcoming a few new members to the group. Haley, Rebecca, Brooklyn, Sarah, Emma, Hanna, Caleb and Halle will be joining the group full time as well as Holly, Maddi and Megan one day a week. It should be a fun transition and a great chance to see some new leaders arise from this wonderful hardworking bunch. Be sure to welcome them when they arrive.

SC Provincials a Success

It was a great finish to the short course season. We had best times from everyone in the group. Our 11-12 boys of Matt, Kevin and Ryan represented us very well with many podium swims. Everyone of them is inching closer and closer to the 13 and under Age Group National Standard in many events. Kevin placed top 3 in the 800 free, 50-200 Back as well as 400 IM. Matt was top three in the 50-100-200 Breast and 1500 Free. Ryan was third in the 200 Fly. All three boys made second swims in every event they raced over the weekend and made consistent improvements throughout the weekend.

Also at the meet on the weekend were Josie and Sarah in the 11-12 girls, Robyn and Jasmin in the 13-14 girls and Brendan, Liam and Connor in the 13-14 Boys. Josie saw small drops in the events that she swam at B's to qualify to get to the meet. Sarah saw best times in the 100, 1500 Free and 200 Back. Robyn made big drops in the 200 Back and 400 IM as well as a best time in the 800 Free. Jasmin had a great 400 IM, taking the 100 Fly out in a best time by almost 10 seconds to break the 120 mark with a 117! Exciting for future butterfly events! Liam saw best times in the 800 Free, 400 IM, and 50 Fly. Connor swam in his last meet of the season and saw a huge best time in the 200 fly as well as a best time in the 100 Breast, and 100 Fly! Brendan had best times in all but one of his swims on the weekend and is showing better splitting abilities in all of his races.

Way to go Senior Development!



I saw huge improvements from everyone in the group and look forward to the upcoming long course season.