Finding Sanctuary in the Pool

Photo Courtesy: Min Xiang Lee

By Cassidy Lavigne, Swimming World College Intern

I hear my alarm screaming at me as I roll out of bed and open my eyes to turn off the clock flashing the time: 5:30 a.m. It is pitch black outside; I am half awake as I splash cold water on my face and the bathroom light strains my eyes. I put on my swimsuit, and then the pajamas I was just wearing, and I grab my bags for school and for water polo. I’m going to water polo practice: morning conditioning.

As I walk onto the pool deck and dive into the water, the what ifs and constant overwhelming issues packed in extra emotional baggage fall off of me. The arguments shared by my parents, the daily stress of academics and having a successful future are muted. In the pool, I am in my most peaceful environment both physically and mentally. Because my head is silent, I am in my sanctuary. I focus on what matters: my coach, my teammates, and how I will fight through the next swim set.

Photo Courtesy: Min Xiang Lee

Swim sets are built for physical strength and endurance, but they are also mental exercises. I hear my coach push me and my teammates, “If you can make the first half, you can make the second half, because the second half is all mental.” And it is. Near impossible intervals, a daunting number of yards to swim, each swim set will be a challenge– it is often just mind over matter. A time comes in each set-lungs on fire, legs burning, shoulders shot-the pool no longer feels refreshing but hot and sticky. I wonder why I’m committed enough to swim in the first place. But without swimming and water polo and conditioning and swim sets, I would not have learned the same life skills.

Being in the water year-round is a huge commitment. From 3:30 to 6:00 in the evening, I am here on the pool deck. Weekends you’ll find me waking up at the crack of dawn to go to scrimmages, not sleeping in. Putting aquatics before everything in my life has made me disciplined and allowed me to be serious in everything I do. Whether it is academics, working a summer job, or making sacrifices to be in the water, I know I have a second family in aquatics. I am proud to have coaches and teammates who count on me to be prepared and supportive, to strive for best times, and to be a strong leader of the team.

Every day that I hop in the water with my cap and goggles, I am grateful I have the time to myself thinking push yourself, because these moments of physical strain and endurance are something no one can take away. Because the pool is my sanctuary; it is my place. It is me swimming down the tank, or scoring goals to win a game, and having the motivation to play water polo. I make that choice, and through all the achy muscles and chlorine filled-pools, I would never give it up.

“Why does it smell like chlorine in here?” classmates ask, I roll my eyes and smile as I walk into class with goggle marks and wet hair after a morning practice. Smelling like chlorine is not an awkward ordeal, but simply part of a lifestyle I have embraced as a proud, stand-tall, fish out of water.

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Sherri Bogue

8 years ago

So true.

Christopher Lansill

8 years ago

Love this Cassidy❤️❤️