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Join us in our 30th year, and swim to get fit! |
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Chlorine Chronicle (Archive)NMSC Dec/96 NewsletterTo Compete or Not to Compete??(by Ann Bortolotti) Are you afraid of competing? Ever wondered what it would be like, but have never done it before? Well, why not make 1997 your year to GO FOR IT!! In 1993, I started swimming with NMSC and I remember two swimmers that year. One swimmer could barely swim 2 laps of the pool without drowning, while the other swimmer held World and Canadian masters records. They both practiced that year and were encouraged by their coaches and other NMSC swimmers. Both swimmers attended the 1994 World Championships in Montreal - Dave Kriger and Claudia Cronin-Schlote. When you talk to Dave and Claudia today about their experiences at the Worlds, a proud smile comes quickly to their faces as they recall their achievements that year and the great time they had at the World Championships. For Claudia, it was winning a bronze medal in the 50 meter freestyle, a 4th place in the 100 backstroke, a 5th inth the 100 free, and setting Canadian records in all of her backstroke events. In the 1994 World Long Course Rankings, Claudia finished in the top 10! For Dave, it wasn't how fast he swam, or how many medals he won, but rather it was about Dave's personal goals that he set for himself and the self satisfaction of achieving those goals. It was about the support that other swimmers gave him and a feeling of being part of a team. It was about accomplishing something that seemed impossible in September of that season. It was about swimming an event well, an event that was a personal best, and feeling that ultimate "high" that is more satisfying than any practice. You can be at any level and still compete - the rewards in masters swimming are just as great. Think about attending Winterlude, the Provincials, and/or the National Championships. Talk to your coach about it. Talk to your lane mates about it. All you have to do is swim a 50! It does not matter if you have never competed before - just ask Dave. Planning to attend a competition adds excitement and a focus to your training. Set your own goals with your coach. Go for that ultimate "high"! Of course there is also that other "high" which comes from partying, and we do plan on doing it all over again at Winterlude, Provincials, and of course in Montreal at the Nationals. The only prerequisite is that you love to dance and PARTY! (all night - we have proof that it adds to one's performance, but our coaches may disagree with us on this subject). |