Courtesy of Claire Forrest
2014 Thanksgiving – A Look Back
This time of year is all about taking a step back and remembering the basics of why you do what you do and what you are thankful for. I think we all know that there is a lot more to swimming than the day-in-day-out of practices with the occasional best time. Here are five things swimmers in particular can be thankful for:
5) Your parents.
Yes, they might cheer for you a bit too loud sometimes, and you might be embarrassed by their extensive collection of highlighters, but they support you and your swimming with gusto, and you wouldn’t be where you are without them. Whether it’s a parent, grandparent, or parental figure that sits through your eight-hour meets, volunteers to time, or drives you to practice, take a moment to recognize them for their support, and remember you are lucky to have it.
4) Your coaches.
It probably goes without saying, but I think we sometimes forget just how much we owe our coaches. Most of what your coach has really taught you probably has little to do with streamlines and stroke recovery and a whole lot to do with life lessons and how to carry yourself with dignity. The next time you’re tempted to grumble about your coach over a tough set or the lack of a “practice is cancelled” text message, remember all that they are doing for you instead.
3) Your teammates.
They say that friends are the family you choose, and that’s never clearer than with swim teammates. Through the personal records and narrowly missing qualifying times, you’ve been there for each other. You’ve wrapped and iced each other’s shoulders and cheered every time they out touch a competitor to the wall. These are the friends you will have forever, and you will be telling stories about your time together long after you’ve hung up your suit. That bond is never something to take for granted.
2) The ability to swim and have access to the sport of swimming.
Swimming is the only sport that is also a lifesaving skill. Swimming lessons are expensive and often out of reach for those living in poverty. A 2014 Red Cross survey revealed almost half of Americans lack the ability to swim or perform basic water safety skills. Put simply, you are fortunate and privileged to be a swimmer. Pay it forward by teaching others about water safety whenever you can.
1) The ability to do what you love and love what you do.
It’s cliché but it’s true. There are a lot of reasons why each individual swimmer gets out of bed and into the pool each morning, but at the heart of it is passion. Sure, you miss out on social events from time to time, and you wonder what your life would be like without swimming, but you know you’ve made the right choice, because you truly love it. And what’s better than that?
Claire Forrest is a recent graduate of Grinnell College with a degree in English. She is currently based in Minneapolis, Minnesota as a freelance writer. The only competitive swimmer in her family, Claire went to her first swim meet at the age of eleven on a whim without even knowing what a swim cap was. She fell in love with the sport and never looked back. A S6 classified disabled swimmer for US Paralympics, Claire specialized in mid-distance freestyle and backstroke and made national and world rankings throughout her career. She was a 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Trials participant. Claire is passionate about integrating disability swimming into the larger swim community, having swum for able-bodied club teams and her college’s DIII team. She enjoyed both Paralympic and prominent integrated able-bodied meets equally for the many commonalities they share. Over 13 years after her first meet, she’s happy to report she now owns more swim caps than she can count.
The ability to casually eat copious amounts of food and just “swim it off” later.
Being a swim parent has shown me how much I took my own parents for granted when I was a swimmer. As an Official,I realize I never once gave a thought to the organization and personnel required to run a meet. A well run meet relegates volunteers and officials to the background. While that’s as it should be, meet personnel will appreciate the occasional ‘thank you’.
Thank you for your insightful articles that illuminate the real value our sport plays in the lives of swimmers, swammers, parents and coaches.
Nice article! Like reading about the author.
As a swim mom, it was nice to see parents at the top of your list! As you infer, “parent” can mean a whole lot more people than just mom and dad. We also want to consider non-swimmer siblings who have to learn to entertain themselves for hours. Thanks for an uplifting article.
6. The Officials (and parents) who help run meets at the highest level so you can be your best.