by Grace Hoffmann, Swimming World College Intern
“I do it because I love you and you love swimming!” were the words out of my mother’s mouth every time I asked why she had to be at the pool on meet day before me. The people at the pool before the swimmers– they rock! You don’t realize it as a little kid, but a meet wouldn’t happen without the countless hours and planning of all the volunteers. I encourage all parents to be more involved in the sport of swimming. Start volunteering with your kid’s team. Not only will your child see and appreciate the effort you are putting forth for them, but you too will learn to love and appreciate swimming as much as they do.
Become more involved on your kid’s swim team so you can…
1. Learn more about the sport.
Photo Courtesy: Tanja Kirmse
Yes, you may go to all of his or her meets, however, do you really understand what is going on? Knowing how to write event/heat/lane on your child’s hand doesn’t even scratch the surface of all of the things you can learn at a meet! Become an official! Learn all the technicalities of the sport of swimming. Or, be a timer at a swim meet and see how close a race can be. Notice the different race strategies and see how important good flip turns or starts are. Or, take a different approach to the volunteer side of swimming and be a part of the team helping the meet coordinator, or even better, be the meet coordinator. Every little detail of the swim meet-concessions, the timeline, heat sheets, awards-need to be planned in advance! By learning the “behind-the-scenes” of swimming, you’ll gain a lot of knowledge about swimming!
2. Have more conversations at home about swimming.
Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien
Swimmer’s notice when their parents are more present at meets. By volunteering, you are showing that you are invested in your child’s swimming career. A kid may not verbally tell you, but they love it when you’re at the meet and helping out! So be at the meet and bring the conversation back home to the dinner table. The more you volunteer and are at the pool, the more you can ask about the meet and talk swimming.
3. Be on deck.
Photo Courtesy: Mike Comer and Shanda Crowe/ProSwimVisuals.com
Whether you’re a timer, official, or clerk of course helper, being on deck is FUN! You’ll get to watch your child’s races more closely and feel the intensity of the race. Being on deck allows you to say good luck to your swimmer and their friends before their swims. Being on deck makes the meet go by faster. Instead of just sitting up in the stands, get down on deck and be a part of the team making the meet happen.
4. Strengthen the “Swamily”
Photo Courtesy: Cindi Dayton
By having a stronger presence at meets, and volunteering, you’ll get to know more of the swim parents and your son or daughter’s swim friends. Being actively involved on the team or a parent board allows you to create friendships with the parents you’re volunteering with! From then on you will always have someone to sit by on the bleachers, and your kid will be excited when you too want to go out to dinner with the team. Helping create a “swim family” will make swimming more fun and give you and your child long-lasting memories.
So get involved! Go on to your team’s website, ask the parents around you, or simply just start asking those volunteering if they need any help. Become involved. Don’t forget to say thanks to all those that volunteer too!
USA Swimming has launched a campaign to recognize our terrific volunteers all month long! Honor all of the volunteers in your life this March by snapping their photo and posting with #1VolunTeam on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Tag @usaswimming and @swimmingworldmag too!
Swamily… I like it!