The FISH Swim Team would like to congratulate Monika Paris for being selected by USA Swimming as the Team Manager of the National Open Water Select Camp. Monika will work with 24 of the top distance athletes at the camp in Ft. Myers, Florida from June 9 to June 14.
As our Team Manager, Monika has helped the FISH function as one of the top swim teams in the country. Over the past few years, Monika has helped the FISH exceed all of our fundraising goals. Monika is crucial to the functioning of the FISH Swim Team, and we are proud that her skills and achievements have been recognized by USA SwimmingThe emphasis of these clinics is on stroke refinement and stroke technique. Prerequisite for each clinic: Swimmers must be legal in the stroke that is being offered for the clinic session they are registering for. In other words, if you would like to sign up for a breaststroke clinic, you need to be legal in breaststroke.
Our clinics fill up quickly and I encourage you to sign up now. Simply download the registration from and follow the instruction. The clinics fill on a first come first serve basis. I you have any questions regarding these clinics please email Coach Norm.
Many parents do not understand why coaches want athletes to travel to "away" meets, sometimes including overnight meets. There are several reasons, but one very large performance reason. Let me explain.
We participate in a variety of swim meets ranging from the most basic novice level dual meet to statewide and regional championship meets. Many meets are low key and designed to be learning experiences. Winning means improving start, stroke, turns, pace, and time. Racing, the ability to race, and the strategies in racing are a close second priority. Beating someone else is a bonus but not overly emphasized except for higher levels of competition. We try to attend invitational meets about every 4 to six weeks. We may hold novice level meets more frequently, sometimes weekly, at our home pool.
By Lea Anne Randell
Swim Parent
Here are some informational items that may be of help to parents as the summer long course competition season approaches. As a parent, I know it is good to review these things at the start of the season.
When you know what your coach is telling your swimmer you are better able to lend emotional support to your child and you are better able to support the coach.
By Fred Cruciger, Longtime Florida USS Official and Swim Parent
When you as a parent go to a swimming meet you may not be totally familiar with the officials and their duties. In order to gain a better understanding of the functions of the officials, it might be a good idea to discuss the duties of each position and then to explain just how a person becomes an official.
For over four years I watched my daughter swim under the direction of other coaches. I have also watched her at basketball practice and games, and dance, and figure skating. I know the joy of watching her in these activities. I also know and understand the overwhelming desire to direct, correct, encourage, and sometimes scold my child at practice. But those are not proper parental behaviors once I have released her into the care of a coach or teacher. As a parent, am not to interfere with the practice or attempt to talk to my child during the practice session.
The Fish LC Derby is less than a week away and the preparations for the meet are in full swing. Many FISH parents have already signed up to donate food and to volunteer at the Derby. T-shirts have been ordered, the program is being printed, the frozen lemonade machine has been rented and many other details have been taken care of. However, we need more help, especially, on Saturday morning before the meet even starts. If you drop off your swimmer for warm ups, please sign up to be a "Runner" or to help in Concessions in the a.m.. The responsibility of the "Runner" is to simply distribute donated food items between Hospitality and Concessions. We also need some additional volunteers to help with running copies throughout the meet.
Sign up sheets are posted on the bulletin board at Spring Hill RECenter or simply send an email to Monika Paris and let her know how you want to contribute.
Volunteers
Grace Gent was nominated FISH of the month for April. Grace
is a very strong Mini FISH whose improvements have not only come from going to
the regular scheduled Mini FISH practices, but by also by attending morning
practices at Spring Hill on a regular basis.
Back in February, Grace swam at the Winter Gator Mini Meet where
she qualified for the PVS Junior Olympics. The time standards at the Junior Olympics are set for 10 and
under swimmers. Grace is only 8 years old and qualifying for this meet at the
age of eight is a tremendous accomplishment. She was racing against 9-10 year old swimmers.
