An Open Letter to the Unsung Swim Parent

anja-grevers-mom-cheering (1) - Swim Parent
Photo Courtesy: Dan D'Addona

An Open Letter to the Unsung Swim Parent

Swimming World runs this tribute to parents on occasion to recognize the impact that parents have on the sport, and as an appreciation for their dedication to their children’s pursuits.

By Lillian Nelson, Swimming World College Intern

Swimming is tough. It is a constant grind, where we get used to putting in hours and hours of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears in hopes that at the end of the season when we race our best events, we will shave off a few milliseconds. Maybe even a full second or two if we’re lucky.

But greatness is rarely achieved without a little help every once and a while. When we are at the pool or in the weight room, we have our teammates to lean on and our coaches to motivate us. But it is easy to take for granted (or not even realize) how much of an amazing support system our loyal swim parents can be.

Now that I’m a college swimmer, I look back on my life-long career in the pool with an extreme sense of gratitude and respect for both my parents and all other swim parents. So to all the swim parents out there, thank you.

Lucas_in_the_pool

Photo Courtesy: Lars Plougmann

Thank you for taking us to swim lessons when we were little, where we probably cried our eyes out every time until we realized it wasn’t so scary. Then for taking us to swim practice every day, where we were happy to go some days, but not so stoked to go other days. Then for taking us to the pool twice a day, where you had to be up at the same ungodly hour we had to be, to drive us there for morning practice.

Thank you for being there with dinner ready when we get home at night, cranky after a long day of swimming, school, then some more swimming.

Thank you for showing up at almost every, if not every, single swim meet we have. Whether it is a two-hour dual meet, or a five-day prelims and finals meet, you are there with bells on, wearing team colors, ready to cheer us on until your voice gives out, and/or jump up and down in the stands because it will obviously make us swim faster. It doesn’t seem to matter if we only swim for less than a minute out of the whole day. Regardless, you are there supporting and standing behind us, even if it is via live stream.

simone-manuel-

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Thank you for making sure we always had the trendiest suits, caps, and goggles.

Thank you for paying for our tech suits, even though they only last for a few meets, and cost an arm and a leg.

Thank you for volunteering to time when the meet officials won’t start the meet until every chair is filled, even though you know your shoes and the bottom half of your pants will be soaked from splashes by the end.

Thank you for taking on the infamous swimmer metabolism, making sure we always have plenty to eat, even if it involves 3+ servings.

Thank you for reminding us to finish that bottle of water before we go to bed after a double so we won’t cramp up the next day. Thank you for every time you bring the team extra snacks and goodies at the end of a meet or on a Friday afternoon practice, because it really does make our day better.

Thank you for listening as we vent about how coach let practice run 15 minutes late, or about how the person behind us in the lane swam on our toes throughout the whole main set, or about how we’re so sore we can barely cough without every muscle in our body screaming at us to please just sit still.

Thank you for continuing to support and encourage us to push on when we’re stuck in a rut, because sometimes we need to be reminded that a rough patch won’t last forever.

Thank you for bringing everything back into perspective when we came close to calling it quits.

Thank you for being there for us just as much in the bad times as in the good.

matt-grevers-

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

No matter how old we are, what level we swim at, whether we’re still in high school or away from home swimming in college or beyond, our swim parent(s) support follows us. To all the swim parents who make sacrifices, never fail to back us up, and smile ear to ear when we have a good race: may you never go unappreciated. Thank you for everything you do. We would not be where we are today without you, and may we make you proud with every stroke we take.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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Marinda Stuiver
8 years ago

Now all swimmers, having said and done all that, just imagine for one second your parent is also your coach…….and you train alone, in a local gym pool…..a pool that is heated in summer more for the Rheumatoid Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers than the swimmers training for a goal……we talk about summers in excess of 36 deg C and humidity of 60% and then the pool temp is kept at 26 Deg. C. Makes for some very uncomfortable training sessions…..

Tara DeLucia Johnson
8 years ago

This is great!

Elise
Elise
3 years ago

Thank you this is great. However thank yous aside I would not have done anything different or missed a second. Embrace all you young swimmers my now I I independent college swimmer doesn’t need me as much. What a great journey

Bob
Bob
2 years ago
Reply to  Elise

They may not need us as much, but we need them.?

Jailen Metiwether
Jailen Metiwether
3 years ago

This is beautiful ?❤️

Kurt Heinrich
Kurt Heinrich
2 years ago

My daughter started swimming when she was six. I became a USA Swimming Official 2 years later, and remained one until she graduated from high school. Maggie now swims in college. I became a swimming official to be closer to her. Little did I know what was coming. Three day meets every week starting Friday evening followed by three sessions on Saturday and three more on Sunday. I was wet from head to toe all weekend. My legs, ankles and hips hurt constantly. AND I wouldn’t have changed a thing. In fact, if I had the choice, I’d do it all again without a second thought. I will cherish those memories, and my daughter, for as long as I live. By the way, my wife, Lynne, and I now are among those parents sitting on our daughter as she swims in college! Wouldn’t change a thing!!!!

Naga Kondury
Naga Kondury
8 months ago
Reply to  Kurt Heinrich

Feels like I have written this.

Howie
Howie
2 days ago
Reply to  Kurt Heinrich

YEP. I BECAME A SWIM OFFICIAL SO I COULD HAVE AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW.

Staci Hollingsworth Roberson

Tears. Love this! ?? #nitro #nitrofamily Scott Roberson

Tiffany Galvan
8 years ago

So true…tears!! Great letter ❤ #piranhamama #lovemyfish #swimrocks

Carol Muller
8 years ago

Sammie Muller and Grant Muller

Sammie Muller
8 years ago
Reply to  Carol Muller

Grant Muller when she puts an ‘and’ in the middle of our tags

Jenn Strohschein
8 years ago

Awesome! Especially touching as I am a swim parent. Yes, tears too.

Dirk G. Winkler
8 years ago

thank you!!

Eileen Nordquist
8 years ago

A great letter and I know that you think about every word of this Grace Grace Nordquist

Jayne Zenaty Spittler
8 years ago

Well stated. We swim parents thank you.

Farah Amr Baky
8 years ago

Sherif Mohamed Fathy

Jacob Brehmer
8 years ago

Tricia Brehmer

Michelle Charters
8 years ago

Jannett Belfield. I thought of you and Kim… i wonder why x

Jannett Belfield
8 years ago

Thanks Michelle. Go Swimming Parents!! I hope Tristan can’t see this…..

Marina Sinclair
8 years ago

Adam Sinclair Kerri Pollock Cable

Karen Boettcher
8 years ago

Maddi Boettcher xx

Kathleen Larson Radloff

Lacey Lorraine Radloff Bobby Radloff you’re welcome.

Marta Connally
8 years ago

I certainly hope to hear these words some day! Love my swimmer!

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago
Reply to  Marta Connally

So do I!

Kendall Ames Wayner
8 years ago

This is lovely

Charlene Tallen
8 years ago

You are welcome and I’m glad to have been and still be a part of it.

Alissa Ralston
Alissa Ralston
8 years ago

I know one mom who is especial treasuring this article. Beautiful.

Jenny Carta
8 years ago

To me and too many ‘others like me to mention’… and to Tori Carta you are so worth it my girl

Nancy Petrick
8 years ago

Wouldn’t have it any other way!??

Elizabeth Hernandez
8 years ago

???
Gracias Ma
Gracias Chela
Gracias Maribel
Gracias Rosa Mary
Gracias Maria Elena Chavez Aguilar
Las quiero tanto??

Maria Elena Chavez Aguilar

Mi amor, yo te quiero ? muchísimo. Gracias por mencionarme.

Lori Senerius McNamara

Kelly McNamara you’re welcome

Brooke Ingold
8 years ago

Chantelle Smuts for our mummy ?

Kari Page
8 years ago

Linda Foldoe Page Thank you!!! ?❤️

Lurleen Badger
8 years ago

Michael Badger Sandi Walker Richelle Welsh Matthew Hall Jaymie Hall Harry Badger Nathaniel Badger Jennifer Landon

Mal Bradley
8 years ago

Wendy Truett

Wendy Truett
8 years ago
Reply to  Mal Bradley

So I read it and cried x

Helen Mary
8 years ago
Reply to  Mal Bradley

So lovely to be acknowledged Wendy ? What a lovely girl you have! Well done Mal on your national times ??????

Mal Bradley
8 years ago
Reply to  Mal Bradley

Thank you Helen ??

Nicky
Nicky
8 years ago

This is a great letter. I did not realize how much as parents we actually do! We just know we have swim practice or a meet to get too.

Terry Pelcher
8 years ago

We do it because we love you.

Isabella Foote
8 years ago

David Foote
Helen Mary
Nathan Foote

Jennifer Cauley Smith
8 years ago

Dawn Cauley Hanna I wish mom was on facebook!

Debra Stanchek
8 years ago

Great job Moms& Dads?

Joyce Brooks
Joyce Brooks
8 years ago

Thank you. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nancy
Nancy
3 years ago

I love this,❤️

Wendy
Wendy
3 years ago

Tears in my eyes as I read this. I’ve seen the dedication with my daughter and son-in-law, through the years with my granddaughter ( Kory first year at NDC) . This was a wonderful letter to all the aunts, uncles and grandparents too!

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

Thank you dear swimmers, we loved every second!!!!!!!

Susie
Susie
3 years ago

As a parent to 2 college swimmers, I SOOO appreciate this article. My heart hurts because Covid cancelled my son’s senior season. However, it’s been so wonderful being a swim parent for over 20 years and your article brings back all of the great (and a few not-so-great) memories that I will always cherish. BTW, another great thing about being a swim parent is the life-long friendships we make with other swim parents – priceless!

Casey Prifogle
Casey Prifogle
3 years ago

Thank you for this from a Mason Mantaray mom!! This was so awesome

Robin Mettenbrink
Robin Mettenbrink
2 years ago

I wouldn’t trade a minute of i! You were all my swim kids and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

Great article and so true.

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

Such a great message ! To our unsung Swim parents!

Erika Greenberg
2 years ago

V

Selena
Selena
2 years ago

I’d do it all over again . Every minute of it .

Donna
Donna
2 years ago

Wonderfully worded.
I once read and shared with the other swim parents-anyone who thinks swimming is a spectator sport has not been a swim parent!!!

Orange Hoosier
Orange Hoosier
2 years ago

Thank you. Swim parents are the best.
(Although it didn’t bother me to have wet feet and pants from timing, it bothered me when 50% of the other parents tried to hide or just sat there pretending they didn’t hear the announcer or understand when they’d call for timers to be able to start the meet!)

A Oldroyd
A Oldroyd
2 years ago

Thank you for putting these beautiful article wordings.. Knowing we are appreciated & not unnoticed, it means a lot!!

Roy'sMom
Roy'sMom
2 years ago

Same.. Tears. (Even if I only have a HS swimmer) When he’s in college and writes me something like this, more tears!

Milagros Castilla
Milagros Castilla
2 years ago

Lovely, thank you.
Tears…, too.

Art
Art
2 years ago

Ĺove expresses itself in many ways. It is its own reward. That and the good adults raised in this sport.

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