USA Swimming is addressing the Technical Swim Suit Policy and rules for younsters

It is crazy to spend $400 or $500 on a swimming suit, especially for a kid that is 10-years old.

Article in SwimSwam’s site.

Example

In running, the athlete can choose any shoe he or she desires and can afford.
In swimming, there are PURISTS who want ZERO tech suits. If they managed the rules for runners, everyone would need to compete in bare feet.

I offered the analogy, free of charge.

Pondering

I’m not certain if I agree or not with USA Swimming concerning its approach on these expensive swim suits and rules. I am not sure WHAT to think, just yet.

Parts of me are LIBERTARIAN and that means I’m not so fond of big-brothers over-reaching and telling others what to do — or not to do. But another part of me is super PRUDENT. Others might say worse.

As far as the leadership with the sport and the USA Swimming board — I do not like the idea of hiring consultants to do the heavy lifting and their homework, but, as far as who was hired, Stu Issac, well done. He did a fine job on the research and report.

Swimmers in Pittsburgh: We’ve got some weekend fun on May 12, May 19 and June 2

SKWIM player at Brashear, SDA16
SKWIM disk toss from play in the pool.

The Saturday Swim School is a labor of love with Coach Mark Rauterkus and a crew of other volunteers. We’re looking for Scouts, summer-swimmers, future lifeguards, and former Summer Dreamers to come out and join us as well.

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11:30 am to 1 pm Oliver High School 2323 Brighton Road, Pgh 15212
11:30 am to 1 pm
Oliver High School
2323 Brighton Road, Pgh 15212

Team Meetings at Swim & Water Polo with SDA18 include CIRCLES

Coach Mark at team meeting at Camp Langley.
Expecting both team meetings and circle time in our Swim & Water Polo Camp in 2018. Ideas welcome.

With Summer Dreamers in 2018, #SDA18, our regular, daily, Swim & Water Polo Team Meeting is going to include some circle time. This new program wrinkle comes on the wake of a school district push to Restorative Justice.

Mindfulness history

A few years ago, a friend, Richard King, PhD, helped to launch and lead a practice with circles with the students in a program he championed, Mindful Gardening. He is not leading any SDA activities in 2018., sadly.

Wishing for sanity and dialog in recent seasons

In 2017 as well as in the early part of 2018, I would have welcomed the on going use of restorative practices within PPS programs. The kids were fine. I needed the circles among a few of the adults who were going in different directions.

Circles and community slide from PPS training.

 

This offers a dramatic mind shift for some at PPS. With us at the swim pool, not so much. Sure, it is a new wrinkle. New touchstones are going to be needed. But we have always had an approach that gives students a voice, some choices, and builds upon respect.

Ideas and tools to implement the new circle time at Swim & Water Polo are welcome. We hope to document the process and offer more examples.

City Jobs program for youth of certain households. Pass the word now and apply!

Both work sites and young people need to step up now.

You can always call the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, as part of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation too. Main site, Jobs4Summer.org.

Those who do not qualify for the Learn & Earn can apply for work with our Swim & Water Polo efforts at a google form.

Learn and Earn 4 9 2018
 
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