Swimming

Eventually a major priority as a parent when raising their child is to teach their child how to swim. I have been swimming since the age of four. I believe it is in my blood to be a swimmer seeing that my two uncles and my dad were both competitive swimmers. My dad graciously passed his talent on to me and my sister. We were both brought up swimming on a swim team at the age of 6. My sister and I have continued to swim throughout our years in high school. After my graduation in May,I recall that I have been swimming for 14 consecutive years. Not only have my sister and I been members of the Varsity team in high school, but we have also chosen to swim competitively for Swim Atlanta.Swim Atlanta is an organization for elementary to high school students who are willing to further commit their lives to the swimming world.My sister, for example,traveled all over Georgia to compete in swim meets at the competition level. Many swimmers involved in this program plan to swim in college and possibly make swimming a career if given the opportunity. The life as a swimmer entails keeping up with crazy practice hours, maintaining a fit physique at all times, and a healthy diet that provides enough fuel to last a swimmer through hours of practice each day.As time consuming and exhausting the swim world may sound, the hard work and dedication is well worth the benefits of a strong swim. The adrenalin rush before a big race...the intimidation from looking at the swimmers next to you...its all in the mind as to how much you are willing to put into the water. Seeing that I am a sprinter, it comes down to every little detail to determine the best. In 25.2 seconds I make my way down and back in the pool. For some that time seems like nothing. For others, like myself, in moments like this, it means everything.There is no greater feeling as a swimmer when you touch the wall and look up seeing that you have not only improved your time, but defeated everyone else swimming in the pool.The satisfaction in knowing that all of your hard work has paid off goes so far. It keeps you energized and willing to continue setting new goals and do everything possible in order to achieve them.