My Plan for Tonight is RECOVERY from a Swim Meet
Let me be clear on that. I’m currently in my bed on my phone while I recover from my daughter’s swim meet today at the University of Tennessee’s Allen Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center in Knoxville.
Have you ever been on a swim team or had a child on one? It’s a lifestyle and language of it’s own!
This is for people who want to go to the Olympics. East Tennesseeans who have swam here in college have won Olympic gold. It’s the Neyland Stadium of swimming at UTK.
For three days every summer, swimmers will convene here to determine their rank among the best child & teen swimmers in the Knoxville area. The first day, usually Thursday, is for 10 and unders. Friday is then for those 11&up. The third day is for the championship. The top 16, with two alternates waiting in the wings hoping one of the top 16 does not show up, compete in their best events one final time to see who are the best in their events and who has the best time.
If you don’t really understand swim talk, okay. It took me a few summers to get the hang of it. We travel to pools across the Knoxville area, usually on Tuesdays for the meet to start at 6. But the swimmers have to warm up first, and “every parent must sign up for a job because without parent meet workers, there would be no meet.” I have the language memorized.
We were more like a family pre-COVID when parents & grandparents could gather around the tables at the indoor pool to chat & catch up while the kids, err SWIMMERS, practiced. There was always THAT parent in an age group or two who wanted coach the coach.
Then COVID happened and parents were banned from being poolside during practice to limit the chances of spreading ‘Rona, or the Virus. Suddenly, coaches didn’t have parents questioning their techniques and parent friends didn’t gather around the tables at the indoor or the outdoor pool any time of the year.
Maybe it was the swimming industry who benefited the most from post-COVID fears.
There is long course season and then short course season, but don’t forget summer swim because THAT is where the fun and REAL bonding happen. Parents of those waiting for their turn behind the wheel are woken up bright and early, even rainy and early some days, to hit the pool for 7AM practice. The younger swimmers equally dread/look forward to the time THEY will be the ones getting to the pool at 7AM for practice.
In the winter parents of young swimmers stress over getting hair dried and plenty of warm clothing on their children. Older swimmers are admonished by their parents to at least wear a beanie so they won’t catch a cold.
Swimming is the one place that most strokes are okay and do not require a hospital visit… or a slap on the face- backstroke, breast stroke, both SWIM strokes. Freestyles, Individual Medleys, and Butterflies each have their own meaning and stroke.
Everyone has the same wardrobe. Sometimes we all wear the same shirt to a meet, or other times the shirt Sam’s mom is wearing might remind us of that particular season with THAT wild bunch of senior boys who had matching Speedos that scandalized all the mothers and grandmothers on the team and reminded the dads of their own wild days.
Oh, and remember that COVID summer when we “virtually” all swam against other teams in the league from our home pools? That year the City Meet shirt said we were apart but together. How many broken families does THAT remind you of?
Then there was that time with that coach when all our kids were young and he decided that we needed a new set of matching shirts and even jackets to match. Parents and children, err SWIMMERS! All with matching blue jackets light enough to layer. We really didn’t want to get the jackets so big that they would compete with swim parkas that SWIMMERS found essential between events, especially during the winter. They do kinda resemble trench coats on SWIMMERS of all ages, but some are happy with just their team hoodies and sweats.
Aren’t seen families a unique bunch?
Swimming is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle that integrates families into its rhythm. The excitement of meets, especially during summer swim season, creates a strong community bond as parents and swimmers cheer each other on. The University of Tennessee’s aquatic facilities host numerous events, drawing young talents who aspire for greatness. These local meets showcase not just athletic skill but also the spirit of camaraderie among families. Pre-COVID, cheer and laughter echoed around the poolside, while the pandemic shifted the dynamics, limiting gatherings and the usual interaction among families. Understanding the various swim strokes—freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly—gives insights into the sport's intricacies. Each stroke has its own technique, making swim meets a blend of strategy and physical prowess. The commitment needed for early morning practices, particularly during winter, reveals the resilience of young swimmers and the dedication of their parents. In a world slowly returning to normal, summer swim leagues have become the backdrop for exciting reunions and the creation of lasting friendships. With the GKAISA City Championships approaching, anticipation builds for a celebration of athletic performance and community spirit. As swimmers dive into their respective events, the shared experiences and memories will continue to foster strong connections within this unique family of athletes.
GO VOLS 🍋❤️