After school activities give students a chance to do what they love and become better at what they do. Grandview High School has an after school team that not every school can say they have, which is swimming. The swim team helps build long-lasting friendships, good health, and a useful life saving skill. The swim team allows for members to feel a part of something and no one feels left out.
The team practices at Longview Recreational Center with coaches Pearl and Serrano. Requirements are only to attend all swim practices in preparation for the swim meets. Only three unexcused swim practices are permitted, and to compete in a meet, members of the team must practice before a swim meet.
To be a member the following rules must be respected: no fast food, no hair dye, no jewelry, and participants must get plenty of rest. Just about anyone can do it — all that is needed is dedication, a desire to work hard and eat right, and to be social.
“Swimming is physically demanding. It makes your body tired because you use every muscle in your body, and it is really tiring after practice,” said team member Kelsee Kolman.
“At first it’s hard, but once you work at it for a while it gets easier,” said Sierra Clark.
Not only is swimming a fun activity but it equips swimmers with great conditioning, work out, and resistance exercise. As any other sport, being healthy is a huge part of athletic achievement. When the sport really becomes competitive, it encourages the swimmers to maintain proper body weight and pushes them towards healthier foods. Learning how to eat right will ensure that members know the basics of living a healthy lifestyle.
Being a part of the swim team can create long-lasting relationships, allowing members to meet new people and build self-confidence. Many after-school activities help kids learn social skills like cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution in a fun and relaxed environment. This will help them interact appropriately with others, a skill valuable in all aspects of life from home life to the work place. For many, swimming can be a form of stress relief. School can be an increasingly complex and pressure-oriented place. The more participants are able to find positive ways to deal with stress, the better they become.
It is generally believed that being on a team can require participants to work together because most of the time everyone is working to achieve the same goal. Swimming can emphasize the importance of time management. Responsibility, such as planning and prioritizing, is also a huge factor in being involved in a sport. Being accountable for your presence and effort plays a role in being on a team. Doing your part and your best gives you a great feeling of achievement and satisfaction.
Although this year’s swimming season has ended, there is always next year to join. Those interested must keep in mind that they must keep their grades up to be accepted. Take a chance, be a part of the swim team, and enjoy the benefits from a life-saving skill.