Good morning Sharks – The Nemo group is need of some help during their practices.  We have a unique mixture of swimmers in this group; some know how to swim freestyle and backstroke and others don’t, some can get across the pool on their own and some can’t.  So, I am respectfully requesting that any Shark parent that has a teenager on the swim team to please encourage them to stay after their practice is complete and help Coach Aubrie and Coach Cameron with the Nemo group.  We need to have at least 6-8 teenagers help support and encourage the Nemo swimmers who can’t get across the pool just yet because they are either learning the strokes, they’re not strong enough or they are scared to swim that distance on their own.  Currently the swimmers I just described are literally being carried across the pool by either a coach or by one of the three to four teenage helpers that have volunteered to stay and help.  We need to be able to space a teenager every ten to fifteen feet from wall to wall so the Nemo swimmer can swim from teenager to teenager without being afraid they will sink to the bottom.  This will help the Nemo swimmer build their strength while learning the stroke and build their confidence to get across the pool.

The other benefit to having teenagers help the coaches will be more swim time for the Nemo kids.  The kids are sitting on the deck waiting for the swimmer in front of them to be carried to the other side.  If we had the teenage helpers spaced like I described then the kids can get in the water one right after another giving them more time in the pool and less time out of the pool.

A benefit for the teenage swimmer would be a great opportunity for the little ones to look up to the older kids as leaders.  The teenagers would be learning how important it is to help others and volunteer their time.  For the high school juniors and seniors who would like to apply receive a financial scholarship the Sharks offer every year, this would look great on their qualification requirements.

In the end it is a win win for both sides.

So again I respectfully request that you encourage your teenage Shark to help us build the future of the swim team and help a little Shark.

With warmest regards,

Richard Schluter

Cypresswood Sharks President