{"id":602707,"date":"2025-01-04T07:16:50","date_gmt":"2025-01-04T14:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=602707"},"modified":"2025-01-04T07:16:50","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T14:16:50","slug":"how-fun-fitness-and-competition-allowed-one-virginia-summer-swim-club-to-do-more-with-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/how-fun-fitness-and-competition-allowed-one-virginia-summer-swim-club-to-do-more-with-less\/","title":{"rendered":"How ‘Fun, Fitness and Competition’ Allowed One Virginia Swim Club to Do More with Less"},"content":{"rendered":"

How ‘Fun, Fitness and Competition’ Allowed One Virginia Summer Swim Club to Do More with Less<\/strong><\/p>\n

The nation\u2019s tens of thousands of summer leagues continue to be an entry point for many first-time swimmers regardless of whether they advance to more competitive levels or not. In such settings, millions of kids find a summer haven and a healthy lifestyle. Many programs are well-funded and benefit from outstanding instruction. Others offer a quality experience with fewer resources. Following is the story of one successful program where more was done with less.<\/p>\n

A little history: The Southampton Recreation Association has two 25-meter pools, two baby pools, nine tennis courts, a playground, an ice skating rink, shady grounds and a very modest clubhouse with a snack bar. Located in middle-class Stratford Hills in Richmond, Va., it is a 1950s recreation center that pretends to be nothing more.<\/p>\n

\"Southampton

Coach Mike Peters. Courtesy: Susie Hudgins<\/p><\/div>\n

What it does have is an unparalleled level of aquatic success. As a member of the 19-member James River Aquatic League (JRAC), it has won 31 of 61 league championships. Under present coach, Mike Peters, the team\u2019s dual meet record is 101-1\u2014a mark predicated on an organizational sustainability founded in a philosophy of FUN, FITNESS and COMPETITION.<\/p>\n

Predating the formation of JRAC in 1962, Southampton had one of Virginia\u2019s strongest traveling recreation association aquatic teams, including state record freestyle and medley relay teams. From 1962-71, the team won JRAC\u2019s first 10 league titles. That streak came to a screeching halt when city annexation created neighborhood flight.<\/p>\n

In the ensuing years, remaining children continued to flock to the association, \u201cour second home,\u201d says former and current resident, Bob Patterson. Still, competitive swim team results suffered. However, a galvanized parent base, the appearance of two charismatic head coaches and an amped-up swimmer base resulted in championship titles in 1982, \u201984 and \u201985. \u201cIt comes down to swimmers, coaches and parents\u2014always has been, always will be,\u201d says former swimmer, club and league president, Don Farmer, whose granddaughter was the team\u2019s 2024 high-point scorer.<\/p>\n

WHAT CHANGED<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the mid-to-late \u201980s, a variety of issues and the emergence of a well-coached, USA-based summer league opponent relegated Southampton to second\u2014and one year, even third\u2014at the championship meet. That helped call the focus, mostly on winning, into question…and a realization that what was needed was more attention to the fun factor. As a result, a small group of invested parents began to brainstorm.<\/p>\n

Compounding the problem was an omnipresent, ongoing lack of resources. Truth be told, SRA<\/a> ran on a shoestring budget that \u201conly covered the salaries of the swim coaches,\u201d says Anne Nelson Morck, former swim representative and club president. \u201cLooking back on it, the coaches could have made more at McDonald\u2019s. There was no money for anything extra.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wheels began to turn, and a small group of passionate parents and highly motivated creative coaches coalesced to form the nascence of the FUN, FITNESS and COMPETITION philosophy and the entrenchment of a remarkable and successful sustainable culture.<\/p>\n

A BEDROCK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former University of Florida and Olympic coach Gregg Troy posits that \u201cto inspire swimmers and test limits successfully, you have to create a group culture looking for certain goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

World Swim Coach Association board member and internationally-acclaimed expert on character and culture, Don Heidary, says, \u201cFor a winning culture to work, it must be sold daily. That means setting a vision, defining it, selling it to the team\/leaders\/parents\/board of directors.<\/p>\n

\u201cCulture must be the anchor of the organization. The pursuit of a positive, empowering culture will not only retain athletes, but even when they are struggling with performance, they would not consider leaving the team or sport\u2014as both become a life anchor.\u201d<\/p>\n

EVOLUTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSouthampton had the fitness and competition part down, but the fun factor needed some help,\u201d says Morck. \u201cEven with our success, we wanted our kids to grow up understanding that life was about more than winning, and they could have fun along the way.<\/p>\n

The fun began in a small, ridiculous way. Borrowing a tradition from a local school, one evening some mothers instituted the first lip-sync performance. Imagine former and wannabe cheerleaders rocking \u201cBe True to Your Pool\u201d to the music of Brian Wilson or a 50-year-old father performing a summer league rap number. Costumes, makeup, cross-dressing, a chance to showcase your alter ego performer: What kid\u2014or adult\u2014wants to be left out of that? Thirty years later, lip-sync remains an institutional event.<\/p>\n

As a way to maximize and contextualize \u201cfun,\u201d the coaches created seasonal themes, often borrowing from popular culture (\u201cBurn Baby Burn,\u201d Mission: Impossible, Survivor).<\/p>\n

\u201cOur kids and coaches dressed the part at each meet, and the coaches\u2019 enthusiasm was over the top,\u201d says Morck. \u201cProbably one of the best was a Survivor theme. The kids gained so much awareness about the world beyond our pool deck. These coaches came up with ways to connect fun, friendships and good swimming while pretending to be stranded on an island. It was remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other years, laps swum were rolled into travel education (Route 66 and Passport), while still others stemmed from the adventures of fictitious characters (Bucky Wilson, Babooshka) and concepts emerged such as \u201cBanana Power,\u201d \u201cPirates,\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t Mess with the S.\u201d In the \u201990s, head coach David Stott and his assistants spent untold hours off deck to bring imagination and excitement to the fore. And the energy\u2014and winning\u2014transferred to the pool.<\/p>\n

And to what effect?<\/p>\n

Says 14-year team member, Paul Ream, \u201cThe enthusiasm, unity and motivation that the theme brings to the team each year sets us apart. Especially for the younger swimmers, this part of the swim team experience is unforgettable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coach Peters says present day Southampton culture focuses on three overarching tenets: the relationship between older and younger swimmers, recognition of those who do the right thing regardless of ability…and\u2014fun! All 8-and-unders are paired with a big buddy who is charged with getting to know them well, being social with them and helping with swimming tasks and at Monday morning \u201cbuddy practices.\u201d Especially important is cheering for them at meets.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor our kids, the swim team has been a fun place to be who they are and to make new friends. The big buddy-little program and the teenage coaches who come up through the team are especially great for the younger swimmers,\u201d says parent, Elizabeth Magness.<\/p>\n

Recognition comes in the form of bulletin board pictures, social media coverage and a special-keeper rubber duck. Peters, who has been at Southampton for 22 years, has continued the theme tradition (Disney, stolen mascot, etc.) by making humorous videos and using catchphrases to advance the season-long storyline…and always a visit to a regional water park.<\/p>\n

The activities at Southampton have not gone unnoticed. Other JRAC teams have adopted lip-sync and similar thematic approaches to fit their programs. On more than one occasion, Southampton representatives have been asked to speak to other league swim team parents on how to better run their summer league program.<\/p>\n

Southampton does not drift into Championship Week without something for everyone. Meditation (check), swimmers swimming the gauntlet while getting splashed by teammates (check), stroke fine-tuning (check). In addition, each age group has specific activities just for them. It may be a pasta meal, pancake breakfast, bowling, an afternoon at the movies or something else. And then there\u2019s the evening before pep rally\u2014a true tour de force.<\/p>\n

\"Southampton

Courtesy: Susie Hudgins<\/p><\/div>\n

Eating bagels hanging from clotheslines, head shaving, hair braiding and nail painting are just a prelude to the main event\u2014Jello wrestling! The arena is a medium-sized plastic baby pool filled with Jello. (Spoiler alert: If you try this at home, use sugar-free Jello. Bees love Jello with sugar!) One athlete from each age group is matched against a coach for two minutes of all-out combat. Yes, it\u2019s messy, but true swimmer personalities are revealed in this setting reminiscent of Roman gladiators or the pledge-versus-coed battle in Old School.<\/p>\n

At evening\u2019s end, Southampton is ready to compete and loudly cheer teammates on.<\/p>\n

A NEW WRINKLE<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOne may wonder why all this matters,\u201d muses Morck. \u201cOur proof came from the mouths of those kids for whom we made the magic. At some point along the way, we gave our graduating seniors the opportunity to speak at the post-championship awards program. It is not unusual for a swimmer to participate for more than a dozen years, never missing a meet. The first year, we expected a few graduates to say a couple of nice words about swimming, and that would be it.<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch to our surprise, they all spoke\u2014even some who decided \u2018in the moment\u2019 to step forward. IMMEDIATELY, it became clear how much all the swim team activities meant. The departing seniors recalled events from their very early years that cemented their love for Southampton and the team. Mention of inside jokes coupled with lessons about dedication and hard work filled the air. Feelings of pride arose from swimmers, not as successful in the pool, talked about a sense of belonging, gratitude for treasured friends, caring coaches, helpful parents and fun. They spoke heartfelt words of gratitude for a childhood caught up in the magic of SRA.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t a dry eye among the parents\u201418-year-old boys and girls had tears in their eyes as they talked about how much they would miss \u2018this place.\u2019 They were caught in that space between childhood\u2019s end and the excitement of what came next. It was clear to all that SRA would continue to be a touchstone moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are some excerpts from graduate speeches:<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cFrom my first years at SRA, the key to our success has been obvious\u2014it\u2019s the undeniable determination of every swimmer here, combined with the loving support of their parents and friends…. The power that all of you gave me on Thursday when I got on the blocks and heard the whole Southampton family yelling my name was something that could not be contained, and I was determined to win for everyone there that day…. The characteristic determination instilled in every Southampton swimmer has been a key for me throughout my life. As we seniors leave, it makes me exceptionally happy to see that the legacy continues and that our swim team family\u2019s life-altering experience continues to forge the best people I know.\u201d \u2014Graduating senior<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cSouthampton is the most important place in my life. Every coach has made a huge difference in my life. They have impacted me and made me the person I am today…. There is something magical about Southampton and the people involved with it.\u201d \u2014Virginia Young<\/p>\n

PARENT PERSPECTIVES<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cSRA swim team has been amazing and super positive. Besides being an outlet to hang out with other kids, it\u2019s been nurturing and useful for instilling the idea that your own hard work can be seen in time improvements. It\u2019s a model for life.\u201d\u2014Team Parent<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cConfidence and positivity. My daughter was terrified to swim the 50 fly\u2014one coach saw she was nervous\/tearful, gave her a little pep talk, and she finished her event absolutely beaming. One of the most important gifts you have showered upon these children is how you set the tone that allowed these kids to learn so much, unencumbered by the sort of self-consciousness that starts to kick in all too early these days and bringing out the best in them while preserving their childhood. What a lovely blend of creativity, kindness, zaniness and recognition you created. You get these kids in ways most of their teachers fail. I saw so many of them bloom in surprising ways.\u201d \u2014Tina Ennulat to a coach<\/p>\n

ONE COACH TO ANOTHER<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cDavid, you did everything so well. You gave everything you had. You had that indomitable spirit and youthful zest for the impossible that always triumphed. You taught me so much about the possibilities of coaching, and you enlarged my outlook and thinking on the truly important aspects of coaching kids. The championships will go down in history, but the spirit and passion and creativity that you inspired will be cherished and alive with the children for a long time.\u201d \u2014Dave Holland (later a college coach) to head coach David Stott<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cI asked my kids earlier this week to bring the type of energy that everyone is so used to Southampton bringing to the (championship) meet each year\u2026. I asked them to be more like your team. And for the first time, they brought a similar level of enthusiasm. The point is you made us all better\u2014my swimmers better swimmers, my coaches better coaches, and my team a better team. And for that, I cannot thank you enough. For the last several years, it has always been about trying to emulate the standard of excellence in our league both in the pool and out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour swimmers have always been such gracious competitors. Southampton represents the truest definition of a team. You always bring enthusiasm. You always bring your best effort. You always win and lose with grace. That to me is the measure of a true champion.\u201d \u2014James Watson to Mike Peters after his Westwood team broke Southampton\u2019s 12-year championship meet streak<\/p>\n

DOING MORE WITH LESS<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe good news for Southampton was the lack of money didn\u2019t get in the way of the fun. I strongly believe that if we\u2019d had a budget,\u201d says former president Morck, \u201cthe culture would have been very different. The passion we felt would not have caught fire because things would have been easy. The parents had already bonded during those late nights working the meets and were more than willing to sell popcorn and cotton candy at meets and open our wallets when necessary to make any and everything happen. I developed friendships with parents who are my closest friends today. We knew how to \u2018put lipstick on a pig,\u2019 making our aging facility a magical place for our children. The parents had as much fun as the kids.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been 18 years since I last felt the magic of a summer at SRA. The friendships formed are still strong\u2014among both parents and kids. In fact, many of the \u2018kids\u2019 are now swim team parents, doing their part on the pool deck, within the organization, and for the same reason we did: a desire for a safe, fun place for kids to grow up. The late nights and open wallets were worth it, and I often think about how very lucky I was to be a part of something so special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach, golf and swimming writer. His critically acclaimed coming-of-age golf novel, \u201cToo Much Loft,\u201d is in its third printing, and is available from store.Bookbaby.com, Amazon, B&N and book distributors worldwide.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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