The 12 Days of Christmas Through a Swimmer’s Eyes

Photo Courtesy: Alan Cleaver

By Taylor Byers, Swimming World College Intern.

‘Tis the holiday season. This time of the year brings on the dreaded winter training week; however, this season is one swimmers look forward to the most. It comes with lots of food and some time off of school. This holiday season also brings many merited gifts. The 12 Days of Christmas is a classic holiday carol in which there are a total of 364 gifts given. Through a swimmer’s eyes, 364 swim-related gifts are a dream come true.

Here is a take on the 12 Days of Christmas from a swimmer’s perspective – feel free to use this version when caroling to your coach over the holidays:

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Photo Courtesy: John Biever / Sports Illustrated

A tech suit sized just for me.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Photo Courtesy: Sue Borst

Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Six tempo trainers,
Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Seven different swim bags,
Six tempo trainers,
Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

Eight power towers,
Seven different swim bags,
Six tempo trainers,
Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Nine swimming paddles,
Eight power towers,
Seven different swim bags,
Six tempo trainers,
Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Ten fuzzy towels,
Nine swimming paddles,
Eight power towers,
Seven different swim bags,
Six tempo trainers,
Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Eleven water bottles,
Ten fuzzy towels,
Nine swimming paddles,
Eight power towers,
Seven different swim bags,
Six tempo trainers,
Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Twelve giant parkas,
Eleven water bottles,
Ten fuzzy towels,
Nine swimming paddles,
Eight power towers,
Seven different swim bags,
Six tempo trainers,
Five new goggles,
Four training suits,
Three kick boards,
Two latex caps,
and a tech suit sized just for me.

For a swimmer, all of these gifts would be a dream come true. What are some of the swim items on your wish list this holiday season?

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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