Water Wisdom

Answers to questions frequently asked by parents who are thinking of having their children join the Dolphins Swim Team.

Q- Does the Swim Team have a band?
A-Yes. You see, not only do we teach swimming, we provide an outlet for musical expression.

Q- Is the band a marching band?
A- No. They stand in one spot, in wet racing suits and play the national anthem. I like the marching idea though. I’ll see what they think.

Q-Why do they have to play in wet racing suits?
A- Because the “Star Spangled Banner” is played after the team does its warm-up laps.

Q-Can you use a 9 year old tuba player?
A-Yes. We currently only have woodwinds.

Q-Are you making this up?
A-No. We have the only band in the league. Although, I expect that other teams will copy us like they do with our other ideas.

Q-Does the Swim Team have a web site?
A-Almost.

Q-If my Timmy does something wonderful like get a best time in a race will he be able to see his name in lights on the web site?
A-That’s the plan.

Q-What do children do at swim meets?
A-They eat a lot of food, they read, they listen to their cd players, they play a lot of cards, they play with their “Game Boys”, they talk to their friends, they make new friends, they sometimes break out in short unsolicited dances, they sleep (this is permitted), and they eat again.

Q-It sounds as if my kid can have a great time at swim meets and that I would be doing him a great lifelong disservice if I don’t sign him up.
A-Yes, a great disservice.

Q-Can’t my kid learn to swim well without being on the swim team?
A-Yes, but it would cost you a small fortune and wouldn’t be as much fun for the kid.

Q-All right. Will I, as an adult, enjoy watching swim races?
A-Yes. You enjoy watching your own child do things don’t you? Besides, I think you will find that watching 8 & under kids race is at least as much fun as watching beginner calf roping.

Q-If I, as a parent, yell really loud in support of my son while he races, can he hear me?
A-No. Only two humans in the 700 year history of competitive swimming have accomplished this. Their kids are still on the team. They alone are worth the price of admission.

Q-What tips can you offer if I still feel an uncontrollable urge to yell for my kid?
A-To have any hope of your child hearing you, you can do two things. When he is lined up for the start you can scream his name and yell “Go!” at the top of your lungs while waving and jumping up and down. He will notice. There will be only one opportunity for you to do this because he will refuse to swim if you do it again.( I know this from personal experience.)

Q-Seriously now, can you tell me what really happens at summer swim meets? What does my child do and what do I as a parent do?
A-Yes, I can tell you but my wife says this article is already too long.

Q-I don’t have anything else to do tonight except to read this article so please tell me!
A- OK, but there will be no more humor from here on. Before you leave for a swim meet, check to make sure that your child has a suit, goggles, 2 towels, sweats, and a book, cards, “Game Boy”, etc. to keep him entertained between races. Your child will be in two races on Wednesday nights, with a third race if there is time. There are 6 lanes in most pools. Three of our kids will swim against three kids from the other team. It doesn’t always work out evenly so don’t be alarmed. 6 and under boys will swim against other 6 and under boys. 8 and under girls swim against other 8 and under girls of similar speed etc.
When you arrive at the pool, your child should proceed to the team area. She will stay there until it is time for warm-up laps or a trip to the snack bar. After warm up, parent volunteers get the kids arranged for their races in an area called the “clerk of course”. From there they proceed to chairs behind their designated lanes to await their turn to swim. The starting official stands them up, sounds the horn, and off they go! 8 and under kids swim one length of the pool in their races. 9 and up swim two lengths. The parents time the kids using stop watches and between races they discuss some of the more interesting medi- cal procedures they have experienced.