This summer, we did something new. We took a break from our year round Lonestar Swim club to try out summer swim. This is a big thing in Texas. There are lots of clubs all over the city (and state). They start at the beginning of May and go through the 2nd weekend in July. During May (when school is still going), they practice up to 4 days a week after school. Once school is out, they practice 5 days a week in the mornings. You go as often as you want. Then, starting the last weekend in May, they have a swim meet every Saturday until the District championships.
We joined the Brushy Creek Marlins swim team as we had friends who were doing it. (We also had friends doing the RR Dolphins, but only Evan had friends on that team.) It was a really great chance for the kids to improve their swimming while having fun and getting to compete.
Each Saturday, we had to get up about 5am to get to the swim meet location. Then, we'd sit outside watching and volunteering until about 1pm. It was a little exhausting for us parents, but the kids have a blast.
Our first meet of the season was against our friends and the RR Dolphins!
Evan doing the Relay
Each meet, the kids swim 3-4 individual events, 1 freestyle relay, and then the older kids (at least 7) swim a medley relay.
Evan got to race against his good friend Nicholas
Evan won a heat!
And so did Caitlin!
The best part of summer swim is that the kids get lots of ribbons. You get a ribbon for a time improvement (so just doing better). You get ribbons for placing in the top 9. You get heat winner ribbons. It's a great way to get some affirmation of all your hard work (which is tougher with year round swim).
Caitlin doing the back stroke.
Evan with all his ribbons from the first meet
Evan and his friend Luke
Ready for his leg of the freestyle relay
Sitting on the ready bench!
The summer swim is so well organized. They have tons of parent volunteers and it really does run smoothly. I mean, the Marlins team has like 200 kids on it. It's an insane number of kids. They have at least 8 coaches helping out.
Another relay
The big goal for Evan for the season was to get an Invitational Time. This meant he could swim at the Invitational Meet at Texas A&M. But you have to get a good enough time to qualify. He was so close all season. Finally, the very last meet of the season in his last race (the 50M Freestyle), he did it!!
Wearing his invitational cap! You get a special Silver cap if you get an invitational time.
The goal for the team is to win the Divisional meet. Each year, your team faces off against 2 other teams in a divisional meet. We had not won for a couple years but they broke the streak this year!
Hoisting the Divisional Trophy with Head Coach Chris
Both kids posing with coach and the trophy
The very next day, we headed to A&M to watch Evan swim in the Invitational meet. He was super excited and we were too. Unfortunately, his goggles came off when he dove in the water for his 50 Free. I was so sad for him as he'd worked so hard to get there. But, these things happen and you shake 'em off. We were still so proud of him for setting a goal and meeting it!
Last but not least was the end of year banquet where they got their trophies and final medals.
It was a great first year doing summer swim.
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