Another summer half gone and we

PRESIDENT S PONDERINGS ISSUE 85 / SUMMER 2016 Another summer half gone and we are almost at our annual Provincial Championships, this year to be held in Coquitlam. After the great meet a couple of years ago I m looking forward to returning to Coquitlam and helping the City celebrate its 125th anniversary. While we are at the meet, I will be presenting the awards for our first May The 4th Be With You contest which was held on May 4th. I would like to spend a little time talking about the rules we have in the. Where do the rules for the different sports come from? Two places: the international body and you the membership. Each of our four sports has followed a slightly different path to the current set of rules. Swimming used to have a completely independent set of rules from FINA, the international governing body for swimming. A lot of those rules came from a desire over the years to simplify things, adapt rules to our short and often outdoor season and to the ages of swimmers and how much time they spent in the water. The last ten years the speed swimming rules have moved closer and closer to FINA so that now there are only a couple small differences between our rules and the rules that will be used at the Olympics. One of those differences is in butterfly; just like Masters Swimming and some other organizations, we allow either a dolphin kick or whip kick in butterfly while FINA does not. The changes in the rules have come about as a result of direction from coaches and clubs, discussion at the regional level, and discussion between the coaches and directors of officials. I must say it has been rather pleasant to not have FINA make any great changes in the last few years. I look back at the changes made to the backstroke turn in the late 80 s and how much strife it caused and the last few years seem absolutely trouble-free in comparison. Both Diving and Synchro follow FINA rules as well but with some adaptations for our younger athletes and smaller numbers. Both sports have made presentations to have some exceptions for the specific sport and just about every year, the director for that sport will come to the board with request for which specific dives or routines the sport would like to have included in the programs as well as what qualifications and meets will be required to participate and who can participate in the different levels. These requests are in the form of a motion and after some discussion with the regions, they are just about always passed at the board level. Water polo as well follows FINA rules with some small exceptions that make the sport more playable for our younger athletes. While there hasn t been much of a problem with the actual rules of play, there has been an ongoing discussion on who is allowed to play summer polo and who shouldn t. At last year s Provincials alone, I sat in on a total of six hours of discussion on just that topic and it was close to that the year before as well. In the end, it is the water polo community that makes or suggests what the rules should be. Those suggestions, in the form of a motion, are passed on to the Board of Directors to be passed and become rules. The rules are a compromise of many different opinions but they are what is agreed to by the water polo community. I say a compromise because not everyone is happy and there is not a vote to decide, so there are not winners and losers, it is a cooperative promise by the participants to follow the agreed upon rules. In the last 10 years I do not recall the Board of Directors second guessing the suggestions from any of the sports. The motions are presented, discussed, and then passed. The Board s role after that is to administer the rules on behalf of the membership. To rephrase that, the Board of Directors does not make the rules, the membership makes the rules, the Board is tasked to enforce the rules for the membership. The Board is constantly asking for input and has been ready to make changes as time goes on. Just look at what the rules were a short

GET READY FOR REGIONALS AND PROVINCIALS, TAS CARRIES A GREAT VARIETY OF QUALITY RACINGS SUITS, GOGGLES & DOME CAPS TAS carries a great selection of top brand name suits & swimming equipment! Contact us today to order your regional caps We offer quality products, competitive pricing and excellent customer service from our knowledgeable staff. TAS is a proud supporter of the for over 25 years. NORTH VANCOUVER Northwoods Village 107-2120 Dollarton Hwy North Vancouver, BC V7H 0A2 info@team-aquatic.com Tel: 604-770-3641 The Swim & Fitness Shop @ Richmond Lobby of Watermania 14300 Entertainment Blvd. Richmond, BC V6W 1K3 Tel: 604-277-1260 The Swim & Fitness Shop @ Nanaimo Lobby of the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre 741-Third Steet Nanaimo, BC V9R 1W9 Tel: 250-740-0372 Visit us at: www.team-aquatic.com The Swim & Fitness Shop @ Kamloops Lobby of the Tournament Capital Centre 910 McGill Road Kamloops, BC V2C 6N6 Tel: 250-372-5305

ISSUE 84 / CONTEST & AWARDS four years ago, far different from what we have now. I guess the message is that the rules are the rules requested by the membership and that there are avenues to change those rules. Looking forward, I can t wait to see what each region s t-shirt looks like this year as well as some of the names for team relays. Have a great Regionals and I ll see you at the Provincial Championship Meet, please stop me to say Hi and give any input you may have. Danny Schilds, President, MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU CHALLENGE Thank you to everyone who has already submitted their President s Challenge photos! Remember that you may still send in photos leading up to the Provincials Championships. To send us a snapshot, please message us on Facebook or email the photos to office@bcsummerswimming.com. Make sure to note that you are submitting these for the May the Fourth Be With You contest as we have multiple photo contests happening at the same time. Lastly, remember to get your friends and family to like your photo as the picture with the most likes will be crowned the winner at this year s Provincial Championships! TABLE OF CONTENTS PONDERINGS & NOTES From the President 1 CONTESTS & AWARDS May The 4th Be With You Photo Challenge 3 Photo Challenge 4 Team Aquatic Supplies Swimmer of the Week 5 SWIMMING 101 Uncharted Waters: BC ' s All - Boys Synchonized Swimming Team 5 Terms of Reference: ' s Webpage Portal Task Group 6 Providing Effective Objective Feedback: Considerations for the Coach 6 PROVINCIALS Do ' s of Camping at Provincials 7 SUBMISSIONS From the Kitchens of the 8 Published by: BC Summer Swimming Association 205-2323 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC, V5M 4V8 T: 604-473 - 9447 F: 604-473 - 9660 E: office @ bcsummerswimming.com 2016 BC Summer Swimming Association All Rights Reserved. 201603

ISSUE 85 / SUMMER 2016 PRIDE PHOTO CHALLENGE You ve probably already come across our Pride album on Facebook or maybe you ve seen us share some fun photos on Twitter with the hashtag #Pride! That s because this season the is giving you the chance to win a $15 Starbucks or Tim Horton s gift card each week! To enter, like the on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Then post a photo demonstrating why you are proud to be a member of the and tag us on Facebook or on Twitter (@staff). Try to be innovative and original with your photos. You have until Sundays at midnight to submit your snapshots. A winner from each platform will be selected at random and will be notified the following Monday. Also, please note that you may submit photos as frequently as you d like- there is no limit! We re loving all the submissions we ve been receiving so keep them coming! 201604

TEAM AQUATIC SUPPLIES SWIMMER OF THE WEEK ISSUE 85 / SWIMMING 101 The Swimmer of the Week program recognizes swimmers that continue to bring a positive attitude to the pool, have accomplished some amazing personal goals, consistently encourage their team mates, and more. This program is not intended to recognize a swimmer s performance but rather their effort and attitude. How do I enter? Regional coaches will submit one swimmer per region every week leading up to Provincials. If you have any questions about the program, please contact your Regional Coach. What can I win? Swimmers of the Week will typically win a new swim cap, new goggles, or something similar while Swimmers of the Month can win a Speedo backpack or another item of the same value. We d like to thank Team Aquatic Supplies and Speedo Canada for generously sponsoring this program. UNCHARTED WATERS: BC ' S ALL - BOYS SYNCHONIZED SWIM TEAM Synchronized swimming is generally a female-dominated sport. However this year, the North Vancouver Cruisers defied the odds by creating the only all-boys team in British Columbia. Here at the, we are all for gender equity and we are very proud to see these young boys getting involved in synchonized swimming. These boys are setting a great example for swimmers that are curious to try a new aquatic sport but who are held back by reasons relating to age and gender. We strongly encourage our athletes to try as many of the four aquatic sports as possible in order to grow as individuals and to hopefully discover a passion for one or more of these unique sports. The North Van Cruisers male synchro team was highlighted on the local news and to view it, please click on: http://goo.gl/1tghh2. For more information on synchronized swimming, please contact the Director of Synchronized Swimming, Joy Evans at joy.evans@bcsummerswimming.com. 201605

ISSUE 85 / SWIMMING 101 TERMS OF REFERENCE: ' S WEBPAGE PORTAL TASK GROUP Calling all tech-savvy volunteers! One of goals in the s Strategic Plan is to develop the Association s webpage as a portal to improve communication and information sharing with our members. Therefore, we are seeking volunteers to sit on the web page portal Task Force! The mandate of the group includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks: Undertake a gap analysis to determine what the portal should and should not do to serve our needs. Develop a Request for Proposal to retain a qualified consultant to develop the portal. Evaluate the Request for Proposal and select the preferred consultant. Provide guidance to the preferred consultant to complete the development of the portal. Work with s Office Manager and the preferred consultant to launch the portal. The Task Group will meet monthly or at the call of the Chair and the terms of the Task Group shall cease on December 31, 2016. The terms may be extended to allow the Task Group to fulfill its mandate. For more information, please visit our website: http://goo.gl/hgspvx. If you re interested in helping out, please contact the Provincial Office at office@bcsummerswimming.com. PROVIDING EFFECTIVE OBJECTIVE FEEDBACK: CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE COACH In the previous article (April 2016) it was emphasized how athletes can create accurate and honest performance information for themselves by evaluating their thoughts, feelings and actions throughout the 4 phases of performance preparation, activation, execution, and evaluation. This subjective form of feedback should aim to have a positive spin, especially if the athlete is totally committed and has made every effort to perform successfully. However, athletes can be overly critical and emotionally frustrated with their efforts. The coach can intervene with objective feedback that creates a balance between both perspectives. If coaches are the significant provider of objective feedback they need to understand how performance feedback whether positive or negative affects the athlete s mental and emotional states and provides the kick start for meaningful change. Athletes do tend to react strongly to negative feedback no matter how well it is delivered. Often the positive is clouded by the negative, resulting in a lack of appreciation for one s capabilities or competencies and ultimately in a loss of self-confidence. Firstly, the coach needs to be sure the athlete listens, hears, and absorbs both the praiseworthy and the critical information thoughtfully provided. The coach then needs to ascertain whether or not it meshes with the athlete s own subjective feedback about the performance. Secondly, the coach needs to find the right time and setting to provide feedback and to determine how best it should be delivered to suit this particular athlete. In this respect there are a number of acceptable dictums. For example, it is helpful for the coach to: Provide feedback after athletes have had the chance and sufficient time to engage in their own performance appraisal. Determine an effective protocol for both coach and athlete to follow when appraising performance. Employ the sandwich approach or effect something positive/something critical/something positive. Use I will statements to ensure that future action is taken. Direct the feedback at the behavior (or lack of it) rather than 201606

ISSUE 85 / PROVINCIALS 2016 at the person. Choose language and tone carefully for reassurance without being too emotional. Thirdly, the coach needs to make the effort to follow-up on both the objective and subjective feedback to insure it is making a difference in training and competition. Feedback related to all four performance components should point to adjustments and possibly changes in technique or attitude. Lastly, the athletes should expect brutal honesty from the coach when presented with performance feedback whether in the training or in the competitive setting. There will be a mix of negative or critical and positive or encouraging information to digest. Ultimately, it is the athlete who chooses to focus either on the negative appraisal only, or on the positive only. Ideally, the athlete needs to hear and react to both immediately to guarantee real progress. There are acceptable rules for effective feedback that all coaches are best to observe. These are: 1. Encourage your athletes to share their subjective feedback first while you demonstrate that you are prepared to listen. Hopefully, the athlete him/herself will have figured out what was good or not so good about the performance. 2. Lead with questions about their perspective of how events transpired rather than present them with statements that are restricted to your opinion only. This encourages communication and diminishes negative anxiety. 3. Avoid being overly critical there is always something good in a performance if you look for it. Criticism is more readily accepted when solicited. Uninvited negative feedback triggers negative emotional responses and the information is often dismissed and lost. 4. If feedback requires dramatic change be sure it is not too demanding and that easy steps are presented to facilitate any technical or attitudinal changes. 5. Understand the personality of the recipient know who you are talking to. Some athletes are super sensitive to criticism and regard it as a threat rather than as a challenge. Others are very open to constructive comments and are quick to learn by them. 6. Realize that positive responses to feedback, adjustments, and changes may take time. Allow athletes time to absorb your suggestions and encourage them to take action when they feel ready to do so. 7. Never give feedback when emotionally unstable or angry following a performance. Wait before you express any genuine disappointment and verbalize what you need to say before saying it! 8. Know yourself and your idiosyncrasies or tendencies when it comes to evaluating performance. Avoid alienating the athlete. If you are insensitive to criticism, then understand how athletes feel when a coach is overly negative. Feedback is essential in the performance setting. Subjective feedback allows athletes to figure out for themselves what they did well or what went wrong. Objective feedback from the coach should edit, adjust, or confirm the conclusions reached by the athlete and point the way forward to improved performance. Dr. John M. Hogg (2016) DO ' S OF CAMPING AT PROVINCIALS Camping at Provincials is a timehonoured tradition for many of our families. To make this year s experience even better, we have provided excellent locations that are nice and close to the pool! Please see the map below for a better visual and keep on reading to find out the do s of camping at Provincials! DO bring your RVs for campingovernight tenting is not permitted DO visit the Team Aquatic Supplies tent for your swimwear and equipment needs DO visit the STGE tent for all your clothing needs DO enjoy our concession stand and food trucks for tasty post-event treats DO respect the neighbours Please avoid making excessive noise Do not litter- please dispose of garbage in the bins provided Barbecuing is not permitted DO stay safe Know the fire extinguisher locations Don t hesitate to contact security if necessary DO have a GREAT time More details concerning the Provincials as well as site maps can be found on our website here: http://www.bcsummerswimming.com/provincials.html so check there often to ensure you have the most up-to-date information! 201607

ISSUE 85 / SUBMISSIONS FROM THE KITCHENS OF THE HOMEMADE BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS AllRecipes.com (http://goo.gl/gaouej) Prep & Cook Time: 35 minutes Serves: 4 DIRECTIONS If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 F (190 C), and lightly oil a baking sheet. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty. In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce. INGREDIENTS 1 can (16. oz) black beans, drained & rinsed 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces 1/2 onion, cut into wedges 3 cloves garlic, peeled 1 egg 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp cumin 1 tsp Thai chili sauce or hot sauce 1/2 cup bread crumbs Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties. If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side. VEGETARIAN CHICKPEA SANDWICH FILLING AllRecipes.com (http://goo.gl/3nehbq) Prep & Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves: 3 INGREDIENTS 1 can (19 oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 stalk celery, chopped 1/2 onion, chopped 1 tbsp mayonnaise 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp dried dill weed To taste salt & pepper DIRECTIONS Drain and rinse chickpeas. Pour chickpeas into a medium size mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Mix in celery, onion, mayonnaise (to taste), lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper to taste. 201608