By Jeff Scharfen
Hewing closely to the principle that writing is good therapy for persons suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Swim Disorder), I have been selected by our sensei, Coach Hermine to write this morning’s “After Action Report” on the continuing struggle to perfect our freestyle.
My competitive swim history consists of my 5th grade year when I was 10. That was 45 years ago, and up until 2 1/2 years ago I swam only every now and then because is was "good for me" and easy on my joints (I've had both of my knees replaced). Then two things happened.
Next Sunday May 20th, from 9-12 Hermine has generously offered her teaching to provide swimming and water safety instruction for the latino community. This is a team effort, so please join this great program (if you speak spanish this would be helpful, but not required). Let Hermine know if you are available this coming Sunday.
Ridgway Pool is closed for Lap swim on Saturday May 12
But Finley will be open normal hours.
One main message I took away from today is that swimming masters is really a collaborative effort. We all have some good insights and sometimes it is nice to have everyone share what has worked best for them. Hilary brought a different energy to the clinic (Hermine always has a PLAN and she is passionate about what she wants us to learn and that pushes us all). Hilary's energy is more gentle. Sometimes I don't want to have to think and really just want to be told what to do: Hermine is great for this. But today, we were asked to think more for ourselves. For the beginners, this may be hard as they have not tried as many different drills, or may not know yet what they most need to improve in their stroke. But for those of us who have been toiling away for many years now and are still not where we want to be, sometimes it is good to reflect on WHY certain drills seem to "speak" to our bodies, whereas others are just frustrating. Mostly, I always learn at clinics how much I still have to learn and how far I still want to go to swim faster and better.
A different point of view and insight can sometimes help us see things...well...differently!
Laura Beal lane 3/4
Thanks Hilary Hafner for stepping in a doing such a wonderful clinic!!!
Hugh during his recent trip to Athens
(pictured here- Hugh touring the Academy of Athens in his speedo)
Meet Hugh Wilder our May 2012 Swimmer of the Month
We are fortunate to have Hugh join us these last few years all the way from the Charelston South Carolina where he is Professor of Philosophy Emiritus at the College of Charelston, and where he taught for 40+ years. He and his wife have chosen Santa Rosa for their next adventure.
So, Let me count the reasons why I picked Prof Hugh Wilder for May 2012 Swimmer of the Month….
He is ready happy greeting and smile for every single workout
His continual willingness to learn and change, ever the Professor
He is Ready and willing to involve and help with any request
He is very compassionate towards others in the pool
He loves his TEAM and Team mates!!!!!
Whats not to love!
Coach Hermine
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Notes: As a departure from and in addition to our usual swimmer of the month questions, we have taken this opportunity to get Hugh's philosophical perspectives on swimming. (see bonus section below)
How long have you been swimming?:
My father was a competitive swimmer, so I learned to swim early. One of my first teachers was Yoshi Oyakawa, 1952 Olympic gold medalist in the backstroke. I swam competitively through college (at Denison University, 2012 DIII national champions!), then took a 20+ year break. I've been swimming masters since 1990.
Favorite stroke: double arm back after a hard set.
Favorite movie: Casablanca. Hopelessly romantic and fun.
Favorite Book: Hard to choose. How about two by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera.
Favorite Color: Mediterranean blue.
Favorite Food: grilled salmon on the deck with my wife.
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SPECIAL ADDED PHILOSOPHICAL BONUS QUESTIONS:
What started out as a dark morning turned out to be a bright sunny day at the end of the clinic. I knew going in that we were going to do the new “on board” drill. For those of you who have been away from the pool for awhile, the new on-board is not placing the kick boards on your chest; it’s putting your feet on the top of the kick board and trying to make it to the opposite end of the pool without having the board fly into the next lane and knock someone else off their board.
“Spread those legs wide and load them up!” gently requests the coach. It was somewhat gratifying to see Hilary try it for the first time and struggle because I’ve never seen Hilary struggle with anything. I swam behind Lisa, which was a mistake because she did everything perfectly. How so? Her feet stayed on the board (most of the time) she lifted her hips but still kept foot pressure down on her uplifted hip side, she didn’t over-rotate the upper body, and she relaxed her neck and didn’t lift her head to breathe. A lot of things to think about when you can feel the board slipping off your feet in the middle of the pool!
My “aha” moments came when we could ditch the board and swim some 50’s. Using the same principles as above, I was able to feel more pressure on the top of my downward kicking foot I was trying to emulate the world renown Cal Bear (and close friend of Hermine’s) Nathan Adrian by keeping my knees close and not overkicking on a 6 beat steady rhythym. I also noticed that when I focused on my abdominal core and had my hips ride higher in the water, I could elongate my stroke and keep my hands in front of me longer, which meant I didn’t lift my head (as much) to breathe). I didn’t count my strokes from one end of the pool to the other, but they seemed to be fewer in number as I tried to glide more. For me, remembering to keep my hips higher and keep my ear on my shoulder when I breathe helped me align better. I know Hermine will want to hear “alignment” somewhere in this little missive.
So ends my interpretation of this morning’s clinic. If I messed up and said the wrong thing, I’m sure Hermine will turn my private “aha” enlightenment to an “oh oh” public correction!
Fred David, Morning Thunder
Lane one "droppin a 50" AGAIN
Thank you to all Santa Rosa Masters swimmers who participated in the annual garage sale!
Folks donated their items, time, and money to help us raise funds for our team registration, relays at the Championship meet, and special projects (e.g., banner, caps, t-shirts). We raised over $600! $150 was used to pay for this years registration and relays, $60 went to the Ridgeway pool fund, and the remainder will be used as needed. Special thanks to those folks (you know who you are) who got to the sale before 7 am on a Saturday; organized, carried, and sorted items; did a dump run; delivered furniture to a buyer; negotiated sales; braved the sun; took leftover items for donation; and restored Hermine's sidewalk to its usual beauty. Go Flower Power!
Hilary R. Hafner
from home
"A man is running from a tiger that’s chasing him. He runs through the woods until he gets to the edge of a cliff. The tiger is still behind him, so he climbs down a vine. The tiger reaches the top of the cliff and paces back and forth, licking its chops. Midway down the cliff, hanging onto the vine, he sees another tiger below him, pacing back and forth, licking its chops. As he’s hanging there, two mice come out and start gnawing on the vine. He tries to shoo them away, but they won’t go.
Just then he sees, growing out of the face of the cliff in front of him a wild strawberry.
He picks it and eats it. It’s delicious." -a zen story
This upcoming Saturday April 28th Hermine will be hosting the 2nd annual SRM yard sale extravaganze at her house (1000 King at the corner of King and Spencer).This sale helps to fund a variety of team expenses that the monthly fees do not. We are looking for help in several ways for this sale.
Here's a variety of ways you can help-
- bring all kinds of saleable items to Hermine's Garage on Friday the 27th after 2p
- help tag and sort items Friday afternoon/evening
- Help sell items on Saturday morning/afternoon