Reports from Swim International 2006

Brantford, Ontario

Canada

written by Coach Mike

 

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Monday 11/13/06  10:00pm

Swim International 2006 has concluded.  The team arrived back at the Y about 7pm this evening, after a long bus ride back from Brantford.  We stopped at Niagara Falls for a few hours, although the weather was not cooperating, we did get some good views of the falls, and several family's had an opportunity to go on the tour under the falls.  On the bus ride back I took some time to think about how each one of the team members had an opportunity to get to know many other team mates.  Many of the swimmers on the trip had not known each other well prior to this trip.  After this trip, we had athletes that are juniors in high school that got to know the swimmers that are 10 and 11 years old.  When you are with each other for three days straight, you get to know each other a bit better.  As I mentioned previously, at our team dinner I had each swimmer stand up in front of the group and state one item that they learned about another team mate, and as one WSY parent talked to me about, "these kids learned much more than what they stated", and that is what this trip is about.  The team swam VERY well, but more importantly, got to know other team mates, and have stories to tell for many years.  I talk to may of our WSY college aged swimmers, and they still have remembrances of their times in Canada.  Everyone will now go back to practice, work hard with a new sense of dedication.

The trip is already planned for next year (November 9-12, 2007), where once again many WSY swimmers will get together to swim fast, and take part in a very rewarding trip............I would like to thanks all of the WSY parents who attended this trip, and many had a good amount of fun themselves.......in addition, thanks to Coach Kim and Guy for their support, and guidance.......now it is back to the pool deck..............................Mike

Sunday 11/12/06  11:45am

To begin with, let me quote Alex Bornman who is in her first year with our team, and first time to Swim International.  "This meet is so fun, and my favorite part of this trip is getting to know people, my second favorite part of the trip is Canadian Pizza"  Kimberly Brownrigg says her favorite part is "all of the fun happenings at night, with the cheering at finals, and the hotel fun".   As many of you can see by viewing the results WSY is doing very well.  We have had two champions with Steven Gasparini, and Garrett "G" Treaster swimming a very fine 100 IM.....lets just say the Canadians were not ready for the "hard working G"  The entire team is bonding well together, and many new friendships are being made.  While the 13 and overs and swimming in the AM session, Coach Guy is back at the hotel to be sure all of the 12 and unders are well fed. and getting psyched up for their swims in the afternoon.  Getting "psyched up" to these kids is playing and socializing at the hotel....all part of the fun.  Hopefully everyone has been viewing our photo's from the trip, and as I get more I will upload them as well.  Unfortunately due to the slow connection I have I will not be able to upload any more video.

The weather is a bit cooler up here today, and it now it feels like Canada.  It is always good to see so many swimmers getting along well, and hey.....even the parents are doing great.......they do their best to "keep up with me", but I must keep everyone guessing, especially with our fun on Moose Wanooskies this evening.......I will have pictures of that for sure!!!  Signing off for now, as lunch time is calling.........and I must report that Coach Guy did much better with the snoring last evening..........more later

Saturday 11/11/06  10:45am

Good Saturday morning to everyone. 

The bus ride began at 5:30am on Friday, we made or normal 2 stops, and had an enjoyable time at the border....it was actually very easy, even though Coach Kim thought I was attempting to "sweet talk" the border patrol agent.  We arrived in Brantford about 2:30pm, and unloaded the bus, and checked in the hotel.  60 minutes later we were back on the bus, and on the way to the pool (only 6 blocks).  As always there are some big hockey games at the facility as well.  Coach Kim, Guy and I took the kids to the pool, and Rita and Leslie led the parents to the "adult beverage area", yes.......there is a bar in this pool.  After a few hours of the Friday evening session, Coach Guy and myself did manage to get some video of these parents......I will upload this later.  As for the swimming, WSY did very well with almost 90% best times on Friday evening.  All results are here.  Even though only the 13 and over athletes competed on Friday, the entire team got in the water for warm-ups........ask anyone, Canadian warm-ups are "survival of the fittest".

As the session ended at 7:45pm, it was back to the hotel for our favorite meal.......Subs from Mr. Sub.  We had a brief team meeting to go over all of the weekend events, and talked about how each athletes must stand up at Sunday's team meeting and talk about one new "thing" they learned about a teammate in their time together.  We all got to bed early, as most of us had to get up today at 6am.  In checking my email last evening, I got an email from some WSY swimmers back home.....this one is from Tricia:

Hello to all swimmers in Canada:  Be sure to have loads of fun but for focus on your swimming at the same time.  Be nice to everyone, especially the Canadians,  and CHEER FOR EVERYONE!!!!  Most of all, don't forget who you are....west shore y!!!! be proud and go and have a blast!

We had a great prelim session this morning with Steven, Julia, Anthony and Adam getting second swims this evening.  The 12 and under swimmers will be arriving at the pool soon, and we will see some more fast WSY swims.  Later today I will upload some more video and some photo's.  This trip is not only about the fast swims, but getting to know other teammates, and remembrances that will last a lifetime.  Time to sign off.........perhaps I will take a quick nap, as I am rooming with Coach Guy and he talks in his sleep.......more later............................Coach Mike