Submitted by OJ Mesina
The Springdale Sailfish swim team took to the water this year with the goals to work hard, swim well, and have fun! After a short, but energy-packed, season I am proud to say that team achieved those goals! We were 59 swimmers strong this year and this includes 17 new members to the Springdale Sailfish community. Fifteen of those new swimmers came from our “farm system”, Springdale swim lessons!
I along with Coach Amanda and the newest member of our team Coach Joanna, worked very hard to meet our goals! Our younger kids made huge strides throughout the season. Many started not knowing all the strokes or not being able to finish a single lap; but by the end of season, many had surpassed my expectations and truly became Sailfish in the water. That is more rewarding than any championship.
The Sailfish finished a strong 2nd in the small team division of the Northern Suburban Swim League (NSSL) Championships! We competed against Norwood, Reading and St. Bernard. While first place was just out of reach (95 points…in swimming terms that not that much) I am overjoyed with the way our kids performed. At championships, 47% percent of our swimmers achieved personal best times on those two hot days! It truly shows that if you work hard at practice you will see the results. We had some bad luck on the second day that cost us valuable points, but our swimmers held their heads high and continued to swim hard! That is a true sign of a champion!
As the season has come to a come to a close, I look back and see that championships are won because of the little things - like coming to practice with the desire to get better, wanting to be pushed outside of your comfort zone, listening to feedback and applying it, and treating every day of the six week season as a way to make yourself better not only as an individual swimmer, but as a member of a team who’s mission is to do their best at the right time. I have no doubt that if the swimmers of 2011 Springdale Sailfish do those small things, there may be some thing even better to talk about next year! Little things really do make the difference.
Thanks to all those people who made this season a success! I am very proud of all my swimmers, parents, and coaches who put the effort into this great season! I couldn’t have done it without you! Can’t wait to see everyone next summer - hopefully, we will have a bunch of new faces eager to swim!
Swimmingly Yours - Coach OJ
Sounds from the islands will drift from the speakers at Springdale pool on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings this summer!
AQUA ZUMBA IS COMING TO SPRINGDALE……………
This NEW class ,Watercize w/Aqua Zumba, is a combination of Latin, International, and upbeat aerobic music, using Latin dance moves with a variety of water fitness routines. It is a fun, safe, and effective workout for all ages and fitness levels. Let your body move through the water while shedding pounds and inches, as well as developing muscle tone and flexibility.
You don’t need to be a dancer for this class, the dance steps are easy to follow!
Come out and move your body to the rhythms in the refreshing water while having fun and enjoying the festive music from the islands.
Aqua Zumba is new to Springdale, but promises to be a fun fitness experience.
SEE YOU AT THE POOL JUNE 9 - JULY 10
Patricia A Cox, AFAA & Zumba certified instructor
Written by: Sharon Casselman
The pool is close to home, inexpensive and there’s nothing better than a cool, refreshing dip in our beautiful pool on a sweltering day. Unfortunately, even the cleanest looking pools can have harmful parasites lurking in the crystal clear water. Fortunately, the Springdale Parks and Recreation Aquatic staff, Ohio Dept. of Health and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are responsible partners in the prevention of Recreational Water Illness (RWI).
Remember that when you swim, you are swimming with everyone and everything that’s in the water, whether it’s a pool, lake, pond, river or ocean! I’ll stick with the pool for right now.
Help keep germs out of the pool and prevent RWIs:
A final word on lakes, ponds, rivers and the ocean; they all can be contaminated by humans, sewage spills, animal waste, and water runoff. Some common germs can also live for long periods of time in salt water. I think I’ll stick with the Community Center pool!
Don’t miss my next blog: Someone pooped in the pool. Now what?