The sound of the buzzer awakened me from my nervous daze as I dove into the tepid waters for the 500-meter freestyle race. The pool that was previously so lifeless erupted into a chaotic state of water dancing all around and the hushed voices from before were now behind audible. Every stroke for me drown out the noises from my surrounding. Eventually, I was left with only my thoughts. While I swam I felt myself caressing the waters in serenity and listening to my breathing technique. When I first joined the swim team, I wasn’t expecting much of an improvement in my swimming ability. Since my fear of drowning from early childhood onto my ability to only handle shallow water. There wasn’t much progress. My coach was persistent and with the help of my teammates, I found myself challenged in a …show more content…
I became part of another team of individuals who cared about helping people at their worst and most vulnerable times. I learned how to serve food to people without making them feel like less of a person and with respect and dignity. I learned to listen to their stories and experienced their appreciation. Working at the Inn made me realize just like in the medical field you see all sorts of individuals and their problems that need to be addressed in a manner that is most convenient to them. Nutrition and shelter is an important part of life and as a doctor I want to make sure that I will treat the needs of my patients with utmost care. Some people that came to the soup kitchen were reluctant for me to carry the food tray for their children. We had to carefully serve with food allergies or certain medical conditions like diabetes. We assisted the disabled individuals making sure they were comfortable as they ate and nobody stole their
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Show MoreThe swim is presented to the reader as an enormous challenge that only the brave and desperate would face, such as a player in a challenging computer game. Diction such as ‘dangerous’ and ‘trouble’ used throughout the swim maintains the risk the swimmer must face. The line“whirled pearl smoke,'; signifies confusion which heightens the unsureness of the situation. Vulnerability becomes evident as the swimmer suffers “cunning furtive spasms.'; The challenge heightens and the swimmer is represented as an “angry isolate.'; Like a computer game special affects are added in to increase the danger such as the lightning and the darkness.
Swimming is often referred to as an individual sport. In competition you are given a lane, a heat, and you compete for your time. Answer one question then, to prove its nature of individuality, at the seven hundred meter mark of the gruesome fifteen hundred, when the lactic acid has built up, and your body feels like failing, what pushes you beyond a point you have never reached before? The drowned out sounds of a team cheering, or seeing a friend charge through crowds flailing their arms through the air, is all I need to keep going and represent my team in a race to the finish. In addition to cheering during races, it is important to have the encouragement of your teammates all the time at practice, at school and, even in more personal matters. A team gives you a sense of belonging or a sense of discouragement that keeps you from your true potential. A community of a team extends much past the athletes, to the parents, as well. A team in which everyone is recognized for what they do/ can do compared to a special “elite” group of swimmers leads to a new level of pride and confidence for the younger athletes. Lastly, the philosophy of the coach is a critical component to the success of an athlete. One may believe in narrowing in on the naturally talented and the other coach strives to train each individual to maximum potential. I have been a part of two very different swim clubs in my development as an athlete, both of which helped me become my personal best, and who I am today in and out of the water. Although both the Ajax Aquatic Club and the Whitby Dolphins helped me develop my talents, abilities and, confidence, it is through the Whitby Dolphins that I recognize the need for strong interpersonal relationships with teammates, t...
It is the final hour of observation of the night, and, as the members of the water polo team rush to the opposite end of the pool that I am observing from, I become dazed. Sitting in five excruciatingly long, overwhelming college-level classes, listening to small-minded people rant about some political event or another, and watching my basketball team practice without me is enough to make the aqua blue walls of the pool area inviting. I stare off into the wall, wondering if, just like the water, I can jump right in and disappear.
I have been swimming year-round on a club team since the age of six and when I was younger improving came relatively easily. However, around age 13, I hit a training plateau despite having the same work ethic and focus that I had previously had. I grew to despise swimming and at points I wanted to quit. However, unlike Junior, I had role models and mentors who were positive influences on me and who helped me to overcome this challenge. Primarily, I had several of my best friends on the team who convinced me to keep persevering and to not simply quit the sport that I loved so much just because I was no longer dropping time. For example, every day I watch my close friends Lizanne and Cate come to practice and give it their all, regardless of the numerous injuries and medical issues that plagued their swimming career; their positive outlook and dedication motivated me to try even harder than I had before. Moreover, I had by parents, something that Junior did not have; my parents were always there to support me after yet another disappointing meet reminding me that “you get five minutes for a win and five minutes for a lost”. My parents where my voice of reason as I tried to work through my issues; they were always there to encourage me, but also were very honest with me
This pool is my soul, and the slight, gentle waves are the beating of my heart. I stand on the deck looking down at the clear, calm water, and raise my hands above my head. I dive into the water, smooth and straight like an arrow. I enter the water without a splash, and glide underwater, feeling the cool water on my skin, and the scent of chlorine in the air. I feel powerful, immortal, and completely at peace.
I was greeted by a longtime volunteer coordinator, Barbara. Her no-nonsense attitude was there from the beginning and she expected me to give my all to help the “guests”. By referring to the people eating as guests, we were giving them a restaurant experience. My first day started by folding napkins and utensils with long time volunteers. Learning about their stories and interactions with guests were truly inspiring. I was still uneasy and anxious as the day had not truly begun yet.
My experiences have also shaped why and how I want to provide care to others. I have worked with Special Olympics for over two years and it has been nothing but rewarding. After creating trust and modeling self-confidence with an athlete, I have watched them grow out of their typical irritable behavior to interacting with others in a mature, upbeat fashion. Another experience that has influenced me was working at the food pantry. I never took into account that perhaps people actually wondered where their next meal is going to come from. Dedicating myself to a week at the food pantry, I had learned what it felt like to give back. Handing out food boxes at the end of the week not only put a smile on their faces but mine as well because I know I gave service that provided relief to many.
iving up my week and weekend nights for swim practice was something I was used to by the time I started high school. Swimming, was my calling, and with that came many sacrifices. Practices were everyday, Monday through Friday and sometimes on Saturdays, and consisted of countless sets of sprinting, kicking and pulling. The only thing that kept us stable during practice was counting down the time on the clock, “Just thirty more minutes, and I can relax for another twenty hours.” From there I would go home in time to shower and finish homework. Finishing what I needed to do before midnight was considered luck. The cycle repeated itself as I would get up the next day and do it again. However, there are many other aspects to this sport besides
One’s level of self efficacy plays a major role in how one approaches challenges, obstacles, and difficulties. This cognitive self evaluation affects all aspects of human experience, whether it’s the goals for which one strives for, or the level of energy expended in trying to achieve that goal. When I was younger I used to be a part of a swim team. Towards the beginning of my swim career, I would always race my friends and fall behind. I wanted to be faster, but I just wasn’t seeing results. I lost total confidence in myself and it showed in my swimming ability. My coach one day after practice pulled me aside and we spoke about my inability to get faster. He said that he saw lots of potential in me and that I had to be patient with myself in order to get better at the sport. He told me that the only thing holding me back from achieving my goals in swimming is me. I took his words and turned them into motivation. I dedicated myself to working harder at practice and doing everything possible to be physically at my best. Sure enough after a couple months, and a minor growth spurt, I began seeing huge results. His words have always stuck with me throughout my entire swim and school career. They’re a reminder that I am capable of achieving anything I put my mind to and that the only thing that can hinder my ability to succeed in life, is
I had never really considered myself a "good" swimmer. When I would tell my friends that I swim competitively, they would say, "Wait, so you're going to the Olympics right? You're going to be the next Michael Phelps!"
I dip my toes in—feels cold. My nerves rise up and spread like fire throughout my body while I watch—while I wait. Stomach hurts. All those butterflies clash and crowd. They come every time that I race—it never fails. There is so much noise—the splash of water, talking, yelling, whistling, cheering.
When I was a university student about two years ago, I enrolled in a scuba diving course. My scuba diving teacher had a big surprise: I didn’t know how to swim. In fact, I had a big fear of water. When I was a child, my parents tried to help me, so they made me take many swimming courses. Although I tried hard, I did not learn to swim. When I enrolled in the scuba diving course, I was still afraid of water. Every day when I entered the swimming pool, I battled with my fear. Fortunately, my courage won every time. Finally, one day while I was practising my dive, I realized that I did very well. So, finally, after six months of hard work, I completed the course. It is true that I was always the worst of the group, but in my own evaluation,
My toes burrowed into the damp sand and I was relieved to realize that the water was warmer than I had expected. As I stood there and breathed in, deeply, the moist salty air, allowing my heart to fill with the vigor of the ocean and releasing the thoughts of the boy from my past with each exhale, a ball hit my feet and a man ran to get it as his friend yelled “you’re welcome!.” Were they trying to get my attention? I thought as I simply walked away avoiding eye contact with the man who collected the ball. I wandered along the water’s border allowing the water to cooly kiss my feet. the water hit my feet. I smiled as I looked at all of the young surfers attempting to catch the two foot waves. I amused myself by pondering what their future would look like and if I was witnessing the start of a surfing legend. I envied their potential, the years they would have to master their art to acquire their dreams, whatever they may be.
I also had the privilege of helping with the Meals on Wheels non profit organization. My grandfather used to be a Meals on Wheels recipient and he would share with me how he enjoyed looking forward to their company and a hot meal daily. I volunteered because I wanted to give back and help someone else’s loved one in the same way. It was very rewarding delivering hot meals to people who didn’t have the means of getting one as well as being there for them to talk to. Overall, it was a very humbling experience, it made me realize just how blessed I am and how much I take for granted daily.
My third swimming observation was a high school swim team. A high school swim team was different than the swimming classes that were held at GGC. The first thing the swim team did as soon as they entered the pool area was swim a 300 yards, which was a warm-up. For many students this was a killer because that meant they had to swim a total of 6 laps. As I observed I saw that this swim team was different to another swim team I observed later. There were two coaches but they mostly observed and there was a minimum amount of corrections. I found this interesting because compared to the other coaches there was always corrections and a coach yelling whenever she or he wanted a skill to be done correctly. I saw that the coaches