Orcas Fall to Waterdevils

This past Saturday when the temperature never topped 60 degrees the Terra Linda Orcas and Marinwood Waterdevils put on a heated show.  Unfortunately only one team could end the day as the victor with local bragging rights, but all the kids who participated were winners.  One of the best things about swimming is that you don’t need to win to have a great meet.  That may turn into the Orcas theme song this season.

The Orcas may not have the best team in the Marin Swim League.  Actually they don’t.  They do have some great coaches and pretty exceptional swimmers regardless, take for example Jonah Albers and Skylar Merwin who swept first place in each of their three events. 

The important thing is that the kids are inspired to be in the water on a regular basis, getting exercising, having fun and learning how to get better in a physical discipline.  When they practice, each week they get better and faster.  They gain confidence in themselves. 

One of my friend’s sons is on the Orcas for the first time this season, and he’s never scored a point or a run or a goal or anything in any organized sport.  He’s been completely shut out on the playing fields.  But in the pool this past Saturday one of his times dropped by more than 4 seconds!  When he was told about his results after the race and saw the proud look on all our faces (he may have come in last place –not that it mattered), his chest literally puffed out and he stood up straighter and beamed back at us with uncharacteristic athletic confidence.   To me that’s what swimming on the Orcas is all about, building character and confidence.

My own nine-year-old daughter Skylee got best times in each of her three events.  She didn’t win any heats or get any points for the team, but we couldn’t have been happier with her and she knew it.  She feels good about herself and the way she performs in the pool and that has nothing to do with winning and losing.  

A few years ago on the school yards she was routinely the last one picked for teams.  We talked about it and I knew that it bothered her.  Being an Orca has made a great difference in her life.  She feels good about herself physically and her ability to improve in her physical endeavors.  Most of this comes from the top down, and we are fortunate to have head coach Tim Baker running the Orca show. Andy Benoit has also been a very positive influence on the deck, and we are happy to have Gina Castagnola join the Orcas coaching staff this year.  The coaches are a big reason the kids love coming out.

This week there are 3.5 pages of best times posted for the Orcas!  We all have a lot to be proud of with our swimmers.  Proportionally few of them attained points for the team, or qualified for the All Star meet next month, but ultimately none of that really mattered.  Today’s column salutes everyone who is on the team and tried their best against the Waterdevils.  Of course winning is fun.  It’s great to win heats and get points for the team and place in the top three in your events.  Those things are bonuses. 

The most important thing is that the kids are laying a foundation, and throughout their lives they will always be able to return to the pool for exercise and enjoyment and draw upon their positive experiences.  The Orcas could end up with a nasty looking record by the end of the season, but don’t be mistaken, these kids are all winners for being part of this team.