Week 1 Woodstock YMCA Summer Camp

Hard to believe it's already August 8th, and it's also hard to believe I'm already done my first week of work at the Woodstock YMCA Summer Camp.

The week started off a bit slow with rain on Tuesday that forced us to return to the branch and go into a "rain day" schedule which isn't as fun for campers or staff but we do our best to make things enjoyable when the weather isn't so hot.

Wednesday was filled with games, a sand craft, and of course pool time at the end of the day. The kids sure had a blast making pictures with glue and then seeing that when the sand was sticking and the picture was made caused for laughter and smiles all around! Makes me and my coworkers smile seeing happy campers, it tells us that we are doing good at are job.

Thursday was the perfect day for anyone that loves tie-dye!!! I got in on the fun with some of the 9-12 year old's by tie-dyeing my own shirt and of course wearing it for big day today. I saw kids tie-dye shirts, socks, and even towels. Tie-dye kits make it easy for working with a large group, but watch for dyed hands after an hour, but just like the sand crafts seeing the kids smiles when there shirts, socks, or towels were dry was so sweet. After lunch I watched (and helped) a group take 4 blobs of paint and using a straw blow around the paint and making a cool picture. Most were still wet when boarding the bus and some sadly ripped because they were filled with paint, but they did turn out well when dry after swim at the branch.

Friday the camp gets a huge switch. The campers get placed into 3 groups and do a series of rotations in the morning that feature different crafts, low, and active games oh and of course water and a snack break. The kids then go for a fire lunch cookout where they can cook hot dogs and roast marshmallows which is a lot of fun for the campers and gives the staff sometime to relax after an active morning. Once the cookout is done the campers today had the choice to do beach volleyball, slip and slide, or different circle games. The kids really enjoyed there afternoon. The best part of the day was listening to the campers sing "Best day of my life" when it came on the radio. Ah so cute hearing them sing so well. :-) The pool like any day is always a blast except today the kids were being to loud so me and the staff took action, jumped in the pool, grabbed a ball and started passing it around having a grand old time. (We were trying to explain to the campers that in order to be allowed to go into the pool they need to be sitting and quite). The boys were already given 1 minute off pool time for being to loud in the change room and they had to sing "I'm a little tea pot" with the actions, it took a few tries but finally all the boys got it and were able to enjoy the pool.

That's all for today, I'll be back with another camp update next Friday. Enjoy your weekend! :-)

 A look at the water at Pittock Park just outside of Woodstock. This is where the kids participate in different activities at camp!

Art work the kids made during one of the morning rotations.
Check out my Facebook page for more camp pictures. :-)

2nd FINA World Junior Open Water Championships

July 25th, 2014 the news broke that the 2nd annual FINA World Junior Open Water Championships that were set to be held in Eliat Israel were all of a sudden CANCELLED due to the continued violence and uncertain conditions of areas in Israel and surrounding areas.

If you know me really well, then you know exactly where I stand on open water swimming and what I think about it or not think about the "sport". But that's a totally different matter and maybe one day a blog topic, for now I'll just stick to the facts at hand.

Now I'll be completely honest, FINA you made the right decision!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean no swimmer needs to be sent to a war zone, I'm sorry. No matter how much security team Canada or any other country puts in place for athletes, I hate to break it but that doesn't protect people from rockets being launched from above...

My understanding is FINA has since moved the Championships to Lake Balaton, Hungary with dates set for September 5-7, 2014. This still has to be approved but as it stands this is the new location and date that has been set.

What I don't really understand is, FINA could have saved a lot of trouble and running around by placing this Championship event in conjunction with Jr. Pan Pacs that are set to take place August 27-31, 2014 in Maui. To me this just makes perfect sense, you have the Pool team and the Open water team together for the staging camp and there respective Championships. And even though I've never been to Maui before it sure looks a hell of a lot nicer then Hungary or Israel do! In my eyes this idea would make perfect sense, but it's not up to me, it's up to "the big dogs" to make the appropriate call and I respect that having known swimmers who are taking part in this race.

So to all those athletes taking part in this Open Water Championships, wherever it takes place, no matter anything, remember your representing something much larger then yourself and your own personal goals! Your representing Canada the greatest country on earth, so go swim your heart out, have a blast, learn from the experience, and make ever lasting memories!!!!

That's all for today have a fantastic Wednesday. (HUMP DAY)

Summer Blues for A Swimmer

For swimmers "Summer Break" is a short period of time. Many swimmers just wrapped up the 2013-2014 season with The Canadian Age Group Championships in Winnipeg last week. For some swimmers though Provincial's or Regional's may have been the last meet of the season. To put things into perspective better, most Regional swimmers have been done swimming since mid June. Some though may have kept training into July to take part in open water swims or regional level meets offered in late June or early July. While most of the swimmers that qualified for Provincials have been done swimming for nearly 4 weeks. These swimmers have been enjoying a MUCH deserved break from the pool! I'm a true believer in rest, recuperation, and reflection! A swimmer should do these 3R's after each season. This not only gives the body time to heal, but gives you, the swimmer time to do other things other then swim 6-11 times a week. 

There does come a time for any swimmer in the days, weeks, even months away from the pool you feel out of shape or lost from the strict routine swimming has. Don't worry to much about feeling out of shape or tuned from the pool because all the other swimmers in your group will feel the same way. Most coaches allow the first few weeks of the season as a build up and getting the body back into shape and the routine of training multiple times a week. However, if you are in need of something to do and can't stand not being in the pool or weight room then go to a local pool or gym and swim some laps, and lift some weights to keep your mind busy. 

Personally I haven't been out of the pool a week yet and already wanting to get back in! I have already begun an ab challenge that I came a crossed on the internet and next week I'll be hitting the gym and doing various workouts to build strength in preparation for the short course season. As for the pool, I'll be back in the water on August 10th taking part in the Elite Swim Clinic in Toronto. I'm looking forward to this and encourage all swimmers to take part in one of the two clinic dates offered in August. The link above has all information needed to know about the clinic. Space is limited, so register now so secure your spot! 

The amount of things athletes can do to pass the time these last few weeks of summer are endless. Try new things like go for hikes, do a family project, go for walks, runs, bike rides, head to the beach and go for a swim and soak up some sun. If you do some of these things the chances of you being bored these next 4 weeks are slim to none. The most important part of the remainder of the summer is relax, enjoy the time away from the pool because before you know it we will all be back into the grove of swimming countless laps of the pool and following the black T for hours on end. So don't stress to much about the upcoming season and enjoy the time off and away from the pool and the sport, for now take the time to recharge and get ready for an awesome upcoming 2014-2015 season! 

Welcome

For those of you that follow me on twitter @Tmac_swim14 you may have noticed I tweeted about some news I would be sharing shortly. Well here is the exciting news, I've decided to launch a Blog and write opinion pieces and or thoughts about swimming, school, work, news, weather, etc. Now don't worry this Blog won't replace my Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, this is simply me just enhancing and branching out in the social media world. I'm excited to begin Blogging and share more of my thoughts and ideas that I have on everything.

I do want to make something very CLEAR before I begin formal Blog posts and opinion pieces! This Blog solely reflects the views and opinions of mine and MAY not reflect the views and opinions of my swim club (Brantford Aquatic Club), Swim Ontario, Swimming Canada, FINA, my high school Glendale, the school board Thames Valley District School Board and the YMCA.

I'm only placing this disclaimer to cover my back! The goal of this Blog is not a he said this she said that, I don't want, need, or care about the drama that can occur in this kind of posting and communicating. I simply just want to express my views and opinions on hot topics from the pool deck, to the classroom, to my personal life, and work life without having to worry about backfiring from other people.

If anyone ever has any questions or would like further information about a post let me know and I'd be glad to start a further discussion. I'm so excited to start writing and sharing ideas with everyone. I haven't decided how often I'll post a new Blog updates, it will be a here and there kind or thing or maybe it will be more often then I think. :)

Enjoy the sunshine and finally warm temperatures were having. Look forward to posting another Blog soon!!