So it goes without saying it must peeve you to no end when other people behave in direct opposition to the ideals you live in your everyday life. And the ideals you teach your kids.
So what do you do when your beloved Canyons Swim Club becomes overrun with Favoritism? Nepotism? Selectiveness?
Well, you can do what most parents do. Nothing.
And most do nothing simply out of fear, because they feel if they complain too much what little they have will be taken away.
Well, No Thank You.
This is the age of the internet.
We do NOT have to take it and say thank you.
We can vent our frustrations and let "the man" know we won't put up with his ways anymore.
For starters, how many of you think it is unfair that our new coach is shipping swimmers in from overseas into OUR club, diluting attention from our kids. And, yes, Dear Mom and Dad you're actually paying for that abuse and neglect
While in our Canyons BY Laws It clearly states:
Section C. Purpose.
The purpose of the CLUB is to further interest in amateur aquatic sports and to provide an opportunity for the development of amateur swimmers in and around the greater Santa Clarita Valley, by providing technical training and to conduct public relations and promotional activities related thereto.
Not on our watch.And what about the unfair practices of not properly rotating each group through all the different pools so everybody gets a chance at the good water?
Not on our watch.
And this only scratches the surface. There is a lot of dirt that needs to be washed off our club.
That is what this blog is about.
Each week a post will occur highlighting an area of concern.
Canyons Swim Club you are officially on notice!
Canyons Informer
Got an email about this blog. Finally somebody stepped up to the plate. Thank you whoever you are. Three or four years ago this was a great club. Not anymore. There are only a couple decent coaches (we all know who they are) and management has taken a dump too.
ReplyDeleteCANYONS!
ReplyDeleteWe have coaches that spend as much time texting on phones as coaching. Every swimmer in a group gets the same workout dispite there abilities. Then, we get to pay for private classes for the things that should be done in class.
ReplyDeleteAhh, the power of the pen! I did not see a iPad or iPhone today during practice.
DeleteI noticed that too! All the more reason to keep this blog alive! Forward the link on to others, post the link of your FB accounts. Thank you Canyon's Informer!
DeleteYeah. Thanks informer. Will read weekly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for standing up for us guys, this new system really stinks. We worked really hard to move up through the ranks just to find out they really don't care :(
ReplyDeleteWe get the worst pools and least amount of training and then they want us to wear their logo's and prance around the pool cheering for their favs.
You're right... As the queen would say "Let them eat cake!" But we know how that turned out :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that Canyons has been circling the tank for years. However, the favoritism, nepotism, and selectiveness has been going on since Bruce first started. Coaches will always have their favorites and parents will always be jealous over it. As for the pool scheduling the elite swimmers and head coach always had pool preference. So these two issues is moot. As for the Board they all have their own agenda and it's usually for themselves. That is why years ago there was talk to convert the board over to community members who had swimming and business experience with no ties to the team. It's unfortunate that did not come to fruition. The Board has always been secretive in their decisions, either it be their closed board meetings, the two financial statements (the one for the annual parents meeting and the official one), keeping the by-laws to themselves (which they should not be since the team was a non- profit and all records are for public view; and I wonder how this person had access to them). Parents owe the team; the Board doesn't. Parents need to get more involved and if they see something they're not happy with they need to take a stand. By the by- laws they can call a parent meeting, vote on items, over ride decisions, etc. Being quiet won't change things; get active and speak up. I know your team was once great; I lived through it. I also know it will great again just work together for change.
ReplyDeleteThere it is. And well worded too. Now parents, lets do something about it! We have to storm the castle and oust those knuckleheads!
DeleteWhy aren't positive comments being published?
ReplyDeleteProbably because nobody has anything good to say? Most positive comment was the long winded one @4:40PM. Sounds like a person with experience in the field. Maybe a past coach or admin person? Dunno. But he/she is right on the money.
DeleteTell me one good thing about a corrupt system, then we'll talk.
DeleteYou go!!!
ReplyDelete@ 4:34PM. Well said.
ReplyDeleteThe craziest part of all of this is we are paying for this club. Coaches salaries, meet fees, etc. Maybe the "board" that in theory is appointed by us and is to represent us needs to be reviewed for legitimacy. I sure bet Osowski's kid on the on right side of the selected favorites group...
ReplyDeleteCorrect!!! that is why Elite and Senior Blue get SCAC. His kids get the best, because we let them. :(
DeleteIts hard to be positive when we have all been beat down lately. We all love the club and thats why we stay. But things are not equal in all groups.
ReplyDeleteCanyons is the only swim club in the valley. They can do as they please because we trusted them to do the right thing. :(
DeleteI believe that positive comments are reserved for the brown nosers who receive the perks and will eventually post there dreamy notions to continue to ensure their status stays tightly nuzzled to the coaches backsides!
ReplyDeleteCan I ask why nobody has called a parent meeting??? Are we all so afraid that we will look like the "troublemaker" and it will reflect poorly on our child and they will somehow receive less attention. If that is the only reason, shame on us. We are doing our children a huge disservice. And setting a poor example on how to live ones life. This has to change. I mean really. I'm sure parents remembered the whole JO situation when Jay would allow certain people into his JO group while holding other people out, some of which had more JO times than the people Jay would let in and allow to stay in "his" group. And nobody said anything. We let this happen. And now it's really circled back and bit us in the ass. From here on out we must demand TIMES based advancement only. No coach favs. And we must demand equal pool time at the area pools. Not all pools are created equal and everybody knows it. We realize not everybody will get to swim at SCAC all the time but we all need to have the same playing field. Some of the pools our kids swim at can't hold the group that's assigned to them. One pool is only two feet deep at one end and swimmers CAN'T even do a real flip turn. How is that equal? How can talented swimmers with the ability to advance get better when they are forced to swim in sub-par conditions. I think we all need to know what must happen. Let's do something about it.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we just rename Canyons Aquatic Club "Senior Eliteblue." Save the other club members a lot of trouble....
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteFINALLY someone is saying something. We aren't paying for the coaches to sit around texting. I am certainly not paying for certain coaches to sit and have conversations with their favorite swimmers while they should be working. Also, practice times are all over the place. Our kids need to eat, do homework, and go to sleep. We can't afford to change our entire schedule every week due to unnecessary time changes and pool changes.
ReplyDeleteJust read this email. Wow almost 3000 people have been to the site, that's amazing. It is sad when the people in charge clearly violate their own rules. It is obvious they have no faith in their coaches or kids if they have to bring in ringers from the outside. I like most parents wanted a good experience for my child but they have made it perfectly clear that we are only there for funding reasons. I am a parent of a senior gold swimmer and the changes in the past months are clearly wrong. My child did everything and more than asked but still ended up second tier. It isn't right to ask grown swimmers to swim in 2 feet of water and then have younger swimmers achieve faster times because they were given access to better pools and a larger coaching staff. I have personally counted how many children swim in the scac dive pool and the number of coaches on the deck.
ReplyDeleteCanyons aquatic needs to remember that the Senior Gold swimmers are the swimmers that represent the valley. They are the ones at the high school meets. But they are the ones that got the shaft and are expected to swim with a smile on their beautiful faces.
As a mother I feel very sad :(
Currently have my girl in Senior D. And so wish she was in Senior Gold. Those kids are fast. My brother in-law used to coach at the NCAA level and he claims more than a few kids in Senior Gold have Olympic potential. Too bad Canyons is too nearsighted to see that. Canyons is doing a disservice to 99 percent of its swimmers by coddling their top tier Senior Elite. Shame on you Canyons!
DeleteYour daughter is in Senior D, is she not dropping time? After reading your post and interpreting your thoughts you feel that if your daughter were in a higher group she would be that much better? Did it occur to you that your daughter doesn't need the group title "Senior Gold" or "Senior Elite" to be successful? She can make the times at any level? Remember the beauty of swimming....it's you and the clock.
DeleteUnfortunately as we know from the past not everyone moves up on times. Some are over looked or simply put off until a FAV comes along and the coach has to move them up to accommodate his/her beloved swimmer.
DeleteAs far as the coaching aspect lets go after the senior blue team which was specially designed for a few FAVS they honestly have the best coach and have also had the benefit of an asst. coach and have been given the best pool.
Some of these swimmers are very good and would have been moved to Senior Gold but a number of them would have been lucky to move into Senior D.
The Senior Gold swimmers had achieved their times and were told things would improve but they only deteriorated. More kids, a subpar pool and 1 coach for 95% of the season. This coach also had the JR Varsity group on top of the Gold to coach-a bit overwhelming for anyone.
My son is a Senior Elite swimmer at Canyons. And he will be at the next Olympic trials. I won't apologize for that, nor should I have to. Why should he have to swim in the worst pools? He should have his pick of the pools. SCAC of course being the best.
ReplyDeleteI do take issue with the whole bringing swimmers in from other countries. How can they even swim for our club? They can't join USA Swim. Right? So why are they allowed to swim?
While I think my son should get pool preference, the swimmers from other countries thing takes critical slots that the most talented Senior Gold kids should have a shot at snagging. My 2 cents.
People know your facts before you make a fool of yourself. There are currently three very talented foreign swimmers in sr elite. 2 of which had previously been training with the new coach in Phoenix and one who graduated from Texas A&M. Of course they are members of USA Swimming! And Southern California swimming for that matter. Are they taking up spots from other swimmers? Maybe. But they also provide a terrific training opportunity for the other swimmers in the group. To practice side by side with a nationally ranked athlete is an opportunity in and of itself. Quit whining. When your kid gets into the group I only hope you fools haven't run these three athletes out of the club so they can have a great experience.
DeleteThe Olympic Trials are four years away. If the current management of our club is still around, you really think your son is going get there? Thoughts?
DeleteWell Said. Unfortunately prejudice people are blind and selfish.
DeleteWell said. Unfortunately People that refer to swimmers as, "from other countries", highlight they are blind and ignorant. I hope our New friends from Phoenix and Texas A&M realize that only a very few in this community categorize people by the color of their skin. Most of us welcome everyone to our community.
DeleteI think that many of you are forgetting that the BY LAWS state that this is for Santa Clarita Valley. If the swimmers or their families moved to this location on their own and wanted to join then so be it. But when they are hand selected and are given temporary residency then they are solely here to be ringers for the club.
DeleteNo one is against any person of any race and no one is judging people by their color and to imply this is just a cheep way of trying to derail the argument.
The BY LAWS and the TEAM are here for the benefit of the SANTA CLARITA VALLEY.
The coaches and the team must adhere to the agreement stated in the BY LAWS!
Again here is the same individual using the scare tactics of calling people prejudice .
DeleteAgain the club was not designed for this reason.
Please stop implying people at Canyons are prejudice-that is the furthest thing from the truth.
This is a joke right?
ReplyDeleteSr Elite just moved to the worst time and pool to accommodate all of the other squads. They had been swimming with only 5 lanes at SCAC from 6-8 (hardly prime time) with 7 to a lane. Sr Elite is not getting any special treatment here, nor is Sr Blue.
The post grad commentary is laughable. Having the best swimmers in the world come to swim with one of the best coaches in the world is a testament to Coley and gives our team unbelievable exposure. Get used to it folks, when your coach produces Olympians and world record holders, people will want to swim for him! How many Olympians were swimming here in the 'glory days'? All of the post grads were US college swimmers and are members of USA Swimming. Should Coley not allow transplants (high school age) that are elite as well? What's the difference other than age?
It's hardly a joke when foreign swimmers come in and TAKE spots that deserving Canyons swimmers should get. And that trickles down you stupid bonehead.
Delete5 less spots in Senior Elite, pushes 5 less spots in Senior Gold, pushes 5 less spots in Senior Blue, pushes 5 less spots in Senior D which pushes 5 less spots in Varsity.
There are now possibly TWENTY FIVE swimmers in the club that are swimming in a group they should have performed out of awhile back. That is as clear as day.
If Coley is such the superstar, let him develop our kids and only our kids.
Then Santa Clarita Valley will benefit as it should.
If he wants to coach these other kids, fine, have them do private workouts with Coley.
But if he displaces TWENTY FIVE kids for the sake of these foreigners that is pure bullshit and a testament to the self serving nature of this new coach.
We've have/had/will have kids at Canyons go to the Olympic Trails.
The talent is here. In our backyard.
We don't have to import it.
Unfortunately your group did not spend 2 months at the North Oaks pool like the Senior Gold group did. I believe we had to take your turn, so if you wanted North Oaks from 6-8pm then we are sorry you missed your opportunity.
DeleteBut we will trade Santa Clarita Park for SCAC :)
"Your coach"? Laughable. Coley is the Senior Elite coach. I have not seen him at my child's workout or ever received any kind of communication from him. Nor did he attend the Coastal Championships this weekend that many Canyons swimmers swam in.
DeleteSwimmers from other countries????? Sounds like a prejudice statement to me (do you want to get rid of Koreans, Armenians, Mexicans, and Russians too?). The issue, is their age, not where they came from. Maybe Canyons should create a Masters group for College kids. The best thing that ever happen to Canyons was the day Jeff left. Maybe some of the old school board members need to leave also so Canyons Community Parents will finally be appreciated and given the respect they deserve. Given some time (next 12 months) I am hopeful that our new Head Coach (with help from his Sr coaching staff) will LEAD our team to change, and finally create the positive environment that the Swimmers desire.
ReplyDeleteThe issue again is that the BY LAWS stated are not adhered to. Again to try to scare people by calling them prejudice is unfair and a fearful response.
DeleteAgain do not try to claim people are prejudice, no one is implying that...Just want what the club was designed for to continue.
DeleteNobody cares about race. We care that the money we pay for OUR kids practices and meets is being used for some other kids visa. I'm going to pay for my child, not another child's ticket into this country.
DeleteLOL. Insecure much? Coddle them now and they'll eventually lose out to a foreign swimmer in college taking away "their opportunity"
DeleteFor those you have not seen the links.
ReplyDeletehttp://swimswam.com/coley-stickels-hired-as-new-head-coach-of-canyons-aquatic-club/
http://swimswam.com/mat-rankin-appointed-new-head-coach-of-phoenix-swim-club-replacing-coley-stickels/
Things stay on the Internet forever, read the posts. :)
"...Stickels recently parted ways with the Phoenix Swim Club after apparent friction with the parent board over out-of-the-pool issues led to an irreparable situation"
DeleteFrom the link above.
And now he brings "friction" right away to our parents! Phoenix Swim Club all over again!
Here you have it. We just took their problem from them and created our own. Excellent work team...
DeletePSC FAN
December 17, 2012 at 9:00 am
Well if board run teams are the problem then Coach Stickels just went from the frying pan into the fire. Just hired at Canyons Aquatic Club (a board run team). What’s so illustrative of this guy, is the few Gold parents fought for two weeks to try and keep him. He let them fight his battles (once again) and knew full well and good he had another opportunity he was going to take anyway. Such a class individual.
Say what you want about board run programs, I really have no opinion as to whether they are better or worse. I can honestly say if there weren’t a board at PSC it would have closed years ago when Brophy dropped supporting the club to pursue other things. The most recent head coach could have cared less about organization, fundraising or any business matters whatsoever. The board was forced into running the club because the head coach wouldn’t.
SWIMTAXIMOM, you rock! I cannot wait to hear from a few of the PSC parents!
DeleteI don't know why for the life of me the board didn't make a REAL offer to Mike and simply make him head coach. He has been around Canyons for some time and knows what works. And he is more than qualified to lead the team. Coley should have been brought in UNDER Mike. Sorry Coley if you're reading this but bringing in swimmers from out of the area was the worst move you could have made. It was a tactical error that reflects poorly on your management decision making skill set. Sure, you may have the inwater coaching skills to get the job done, but this was a serious blunder on your part. Ouch.
ReplyDeleteThey would have had to make a pretty big offer to Mike as he is a teacher at Valencia High. Too bad though... his coaching skills are world class.
DeleteNot giving Mike the job, is another example that some of the board members have been at Canyons too long. And worst of all, they got previous old school board members to help them with the interviews. Remove some of board leadership first, give Coley a chance to do his job (hello, he has only been here 3 months) before you judge him. Coley is not perfect, (but neither are any of the coaches) so give him a break, let him do his job, and realize that since your kids added at the last meet might be due to all the damage Jeff did to the Sr kids over the last 5 years (vs blaming the new guy).
DeleteAnother concerned parent emailed me this rumor. I hope it is not true. If so, I am seeing a slippery slope in the making.
ReplyDeleteElite swimmers are not allowed to participate in a few high school meets like the SCV relays and Invitational. Away meets are included. I wonder if CIF and league prelims will be tossed in later. Sad. What swimmer would go to Elite and miss out on the fun? Most likely to fulfill their parents' ego. It is not the forgotten medals and ribbons that gather dust in the corner.
This is what swimming is about. The friends they make and the experiences they share as a team will last a lifetime. A heartfelt "THANK YOU" to all you parents that made this happen for my swimmer.
There is no team, just Elite and the rest of us. I see that filter to the high school meets.
Comments from the BOD? Feeling any regret? You could have been more open about it. The parents here are involved for our collective kids. It is not too late, we can help if you let us. I know you are reading this.
Swimmers who join the elite group no the sacrifice they are making to swim. I am a graduate who swam for four years in the topmost group at Canyons so i know what I am talking about. I had to miss out on all sorts of opportunities in order to participate in the top spot at Canyons. But i made that decision on my own, and i am glad i did so. Any swimmers who are currently in the group are aware that they sometimes have to sacrifice fun in order to succeed. This has nothing to do with fulfilling their parents egos. They do this because it is what needs to be done in order for them to achieve there goals. And it pays off. Because i swam on Canyons I am able to compete at the devisor one level in college at one of the most prestigious schools in the country. I have no regrets from my time spent on Canyons
Deletetrue that!^^ no regrets!
DeleteIt is sad that college students don't know grammar or how to spell.
DeleteOK class - is no the same as know? Most importantly - use spell check - it at least will give you that "extra edge".
Classic.
I apologize for my poor grammar. As an engineer I rarely worry about spelling. I was writing quickly and heatedly because I feel so strongly on this matter. However, the fact that the only negative thing you have to say about my post involves my grammar, pleases me. Although my spelling was poor, the message is still received. Any swimmer who is truly dedicated to the sport does not dwell on opportunities lost. I remain supportive of everything Canyons has done for me, and will continue to stand behind the team and its coaches.
DeleteI heard that he has them tapering for the Austin Grand Prix meet the weekend of March 9th and does not want to disrupt the taper. They would also have to swim Austin unattached if they swim the SCV relays. After that they are free to swim High School..
ReplyDeleteThis group of swimmers are paying a lot of money to go to Austin and swimming in the hs relay meet would require them to swim unattached at Austin, making it impossible to participate in relays (a fun part of swimming!) and not allowing them to represent or score points for a team they represent all year long. Know your facts people!!
DeleteI am just a little curious, are the swimmer parents paying or is the club?
DeleteI feel bad for Coley. The guy has been here 8 weeks and people are blaming him for accepting new fast swimmers who wanted to swim with him? These swimmers were willing to move here on their own accord to swim for him and pay dues like every other kid. Was he supposed to turn them away? What kind of precedent would that set for Sr Elite and the other groupst? Coley is acting entirely in the best interest of the team. Sorry if a few parents feel slighted but give me a break folks!
ReplyDeleteAs for the TX, would you prefer Coley let the kids swim in meaningless HS meets (the times don't even count!) and have ruined a taper? Spend that kind of money and just have a free for all with the training before the meet? If that's the case, don't assign blame to the coaches if the kids don't swim well. Get a clue.
Yes, he can turn kids away. By accepting them he is breaking the By Laws and actually causing the whole Canyons organization to be a tool of fraud. Canyons could be subject to a civil fraud case.
DeleteCanyons is defrauding every parent that pays dues.
Heads need to roll.
These people didn't move to Santa Clarita and rent an apartment on their own. They are being housed in homes of fellow Canyon swimmers. This could not of happened without the help of Canyons and by doing so they are in direct violation of their own laws.
DeleteRemember Canyons was established to promote swimming in the Santa Clarita Valley.
If Canyons wanted to include inviting and housing non Santa Clarita residents then they should have amended their laws and made this public knowledge.
But this was basically done in secret and was not advertised to be voted on by its members.
Agreed. I wonder what else is discussed behind our backs. What's next!
DeleteZero transparency. Horrible.
If they have done this in secret then we must question all their moves.
DeleteDid they hire a coach for our team or did they hire a coach who needed a place to train his own team.
As a parent we need a coach to train our team. I believe that's why we pay our tuition each month in good faith. In the hopes that our swimmers needs are being met.
The comment about meaningless HS meets amazes me.
DeleteDon't swim HS. Simple.
There are plenty of kids who do both club and HS and actually want that on their college apps. And besides they will get more swim opportunity if you don't attend those silly meaningless meets.
Done - stop swimming HS. You can take that off your "to worry list".
But I guess if you have an Olympic swimmer (which someone commented above is convinced they do) those things don't matter. Because that medal will pay the bills right? Right?
Love this blog - I'm thinking the board/coaches should go on Oprah - worked for Lance?
While all of us venting on this blog is great and therapeutic, unless we take action it is all for nothing. We must band together and strategically take direct steps to fix this mess...
ReplyDeleteI love this blog. Let's put it all out on the table and prioritize what needs to be dealt with. Let's do it publicly. There is no shame in admitting problems. Transparency! Transparency! Transparency will happen on our watch!
DeleteI'm with ya' brother. Things have to be TOTALLY transparent for us to take the club back. It is OUR club... NOT THEIRS. We aren't here to serve them, it's the other way around. We appointed them, even pay them, they have to do the job we tell them to do. If they can't or won't do it, move on. We will find somebody who will do the job. And do it right. TRANSPARENCY! You nailed the word on the head. I love this blog too!
DeleteRight on! Let's go to one of these! I wonder if it is like the Omega Theta Pi fraternity from Animal House! Secretive like all get out!
DeleteMEETINGS
The Canyons Aquatic Club Board of Directors meetings are scheduled by the Club President and available upon request. If you would like to present to the board, please contact a board member to make arrangements. Board meetings are generally private, but guests are welcome to request to address the board and attend the non-executive portion of the meeting. Non "Team Members" or "Club Members" are allowed to attend meetings at the Board’s discretion.
After reading this...it is! LOL
Bottom line is the club should be doing what's in the best interest of its members, if all of what's being said is true then this is not happening. Rules are in place for a reason and should be followed no matter what your position is within the organization. All of the swimmers should be treated with respect and equality. Our children are very intelligent people they see which swimmers get individualized attention and which swimmers do not. This is not good team building or sportsmanship. Each swimmer should get individual attention from time to time and we shouldn't have to pay extra for private lessons to get it. It would be really nice to see some of the top swimmers cheer on their team mates but that doesn't ever seem to happen. We need to promote sportsmanship and relationship building as well. Swimming is awesome but with all the time we all spend together it would be nice if people were personable also.
ReplyDeleteAs a former Canyons parent, I can feel your pain. My children quit swimming and have not looked back. Their lives have changed, they have time now for normal and healthy activities, can participate in sports seasonally (not year round), and are able to grow emotionally as normal teenagers that aren't scheduled to death with swimming, training, meets, and more. Once we left the club, and I have perspective on the situation I think 'what was I thinking', this was completely insane.
ReplyDeleteI was reminded that the only one that my had child's best interest and well being at heart is me as the parent, not the coaches, not the other parents and not USA swimming.
One of my children told me he felt like a racehorse at Canyons, being asked to perform regardless of how he felt, or what his body could stand. He told me this after our family quit. :(
There are some excellent comments and suggestions here from parents. I suggest you stand up for your children, regardless of what you think the repercussions will be. What is most important to you? What do you have to lose? Set an example for your kids, show them that they matter most, they come first and you won't be intimidated by 'authority' figures that really should not be the authority. Parents are the authority in this instance.
This culture, unfortunately is inherent within USA swimming as it runs up to the top within the organization. The mission of USA swimming is to promote elite swimming and produce Olympic swimmers, not to develop ability, confidence or sportsmanship in rest of the participants. My thoughts will be with you all.
You clearly made the right choice for your family. And that's great. But don't judge or criticize anyone who chooses this level of swimming for theirs. Every child is different. And while your child felt like a "racehorse", others feel empowered. There are many positives to come with training at this level. Swimming with Canyons or any other team is a choice. If it's not for you then there are many other swimming or sports opportunities that might better suit you and/or your child. But don't pity anyone that chooses to be a part of the sport at this level. Participating in a sport at the elite level does call for sacrifice, but with that sacrifice comes great reward. Reward that cannot be achieved by just anyone. What this teaches our children is dedication and commitment. Not quitting just because maybe you aren't the best in your group anymore. (Sound familiar?) Pushing through a time when you aren't quite swimming your best. Being committed to a team of people...some you like...some maybe you don't. But you are committed to your success as a unit. You aren't a "fair weather" athlete. Only liking it when you are on top. Just like in life...there are ups and downs. Good days and bad days. Some days you don't quite feel like getting in the pool (or going to work or school). But you know what you've put into it and you know what's right. So, you put on your cap and goggles and you go to your workout (or work or school). And usually afterwards, you are glad you did. That scenario works with any sport you train for at an elite level.
DeleteTraining at an elite level is a choice. Do it or don't. But don't judge those that do.
Swimming isn't a healthy activity?
DeleteThat's a great lesson, when things get hard or don't go your way quit! That's going to come in real handy later in life when your out in the real world and no one gives a crap about how you feel so just quit instead of having to deal with hard situations.
I always ask my kid if they still enjoy swimming and continually remind them they don't have to do it if they don't want to. Not being informed until after you quit that your child was that unhappy is more on you the parent and not the swim team.
Actually, that's the lesson for everyone in here complaining, just quit. No one is being forced to swim with this club or for these coaches!
If your little swimmers have all this Olympic potential I'm sure you'll have no problem finding a coach who will lead them to Brazil. Of course, you may want to just try being a JO, Sectional or CIF champ first!
Whoever wrote this reply, I salute you. You know what swimming is all about. Thank you sir/ma'am for your words of wisdom
DeleteThere is a difference between giving up and realizing that life should be balanced and one sport/activity may not be all there is to life. Making a
Deleteconscious decision to expand your life beyond swimming is not giving up on swimming. It is simply reaching a level of maturity where you realize that you will not be an athlete forever and you probably aren't going to the Olympics either. Even if your coach loves you, focuses on you and you are the top tier of the team.
Most of these kids are not the next "Miss Franklin" but they can still swim to the best of their ability. The kids that I have seen that focus solely on swimming often end up injured and burnt out. But like you said above that is their choice.
And as far as being forced, if you want to swim there is only one club team in the SCV.
I have seen "The Paseo Club" swimmers at USAS meets at Las Vegas and Rio Mesa.
DeleteGet this, their name is: Team Rebel
I was not criticizing families for staying with club swimming at all, I was encouraging people to examine what is best for their kids. Ask what the motivation is? The potential scholarship? At the elite level it is not for being healthy participation or to learn good sportsmanship, or to learn about commitment. I goes beyond that.
DeleteAlso the mentality is based on some of the reponses when people leave, they are quitters. My children did not 'quit' they made a 'choice', they stayed with it for six years, one child was swimming at the elite level and chose not to continue based on what he experienced with other swimmers and families. This child was at the top of his game at the time as well.
I also have seen the long term implications of swimming with the elite level, followed swimmers through the process of college, Olympic Trials and beyond. Yes there are success stories, but that is the minority. I've talked to the kids, and so do my children. If you think it's about the 'team', and that there is loyalty to swimmers and their families, this is misguided thinking. Yes it is about the team, not about the swimmers. Ask any family that has left Canyons.
Again, your decision was what was best for your children. And our children that don't "choose" to quit, are not any less mature than yours that did. They chose what was best for them. Your children chose what was best for them. No right or wrong here. Just different.
DeleteI don't think most kids at the elite level think they are going to make a living out of swimming. But swimming creates opportunities that might not have been there otherwise. It opens doors that would have otherwise been closed.
And why does a child have to be the next Olympic star to feel success? Success can come in many other ways. Getting a college scholarship. Getting a Sectional time. Making it to NCAAs. Making HS league finals. Who are we to judge what success is for an individual. Merely tracking the swimming success of someone isn't grounds enough to determine success. How do you know what their swimming has brought them outside of the water? Maybe they met their spouse. Maybe they found a career they hadn't ever thought about. There are so many things that success could be gauged off of, how can any one person judge that without knowing all the facts.
I was not using the term 'success' in the context of swimming success [Olympic success], but long term success indicators in this context which are: career path, satisfaction with choice of college, feeling of belonging within a swim team, within college community, finding a fulfilling passion and purpose in life without feeling burned out by one sport.
DeleteAgain, I am not attacking or criticizing individual families for their choices, but am looking at the big picture of youth sport as a system, and what happens when a person's [coach] or organization's [club] livelihood and/or existence depends upon participation and performance levels of kids in sports*. This is why priorities get messed up, why some athletes are favored more than others, which is what I was trying to suggest to parents within this forum that are struggling with feelings of frustration with the team and coaching, that they are the ones that need to stand-up for [and in some cases protect] their kids.
*Coaches get bonuses on swimmers that receive achieve certain time standards (i.e. a sectional time, Olympic Trial, etc] and clubs are also eligible for awards (as Canyons Silver Excellence Award) for the rankings with the numbers of fast swimmers they have. Points are allocated based on swimmers times. This award of 'excellence' is measured by performance success - time standards. You can read more here http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1616&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US
Note to those following up on financial matters: To add to my point in a previous post about the Club Excellence award, of which Canyons has been awarded Silver for the last few years, which means each year of receiving the award the Club is eligible to receive up to $2,200 in grant money from USA Swimming. You may want to see where that goes, and if it shows up on the Canyons balance sheet.
DeleteI would like to say that this forum is a long time coming. With all the rumors/questions, etc on the pool deck and during meets. The coaches & Board have been guilty of poor communication with the parents for far too long. My 9 year old should also be supervised during dryland and not sent to run in the dark around an adult school campus without the coach, who is texting inside. I would like to see better communication from our coach, fewer last minute changes in practice times, and less bullying when a child is sick or simply has a family function/school event to attend and needs to miss practice. My child loves Canyons, the group, and the coaches. He or she should not be penalized for occasionally missing practice. Also, we as parents, should not be afraid to approach our coach with a question simply because he is noncommunicative and passive aggressive. Any swimmer will get what they put into practice and should be able to make the choice to also enjoy something else once in awhile. I would like to hear a response from Coley & the Board. Why have they not called a meeting to address these pressing concerns.
ReplyDeleteWell said! I completely agree.
DeleteThose swimmers from Russia are all 20 years old. These groups are not for college swimmers, they are for high school students. It's also not appropriate for these swimmers to be living in our homes, with our kids. The fact that the board hasn't called a meeting yet really says something about the team also.
ReplyDeleteI am addressing the main reason why this blog was created, the issue with foreign swimmers.
ReplyDeleteI love dropping time and beating the guy next to me. That is biggest reason for swimming in high school, swimming with Canyons, and now, swimming in college. I work hard to be the best, but there is always someone better. My coach is recruiting kids that are faster than me in my best events. I'm not quitting and I am definitely not going to complain to my coach about it. Yeah, I want to be number one and I want to stand on the podium with a gold medal around my neck, but I want to work for that and know that for that moment in time, I am the best.
My coach stresses mental toughness on a daily basis and does not baby us when were hurt. My teammates have swam with shoulder problems, sprained ankles, torn menisci, and blown out knees this season without saying a word not because they were afraid to get yelled at, but because they love swimming and did not want to get behind in workouts. The men's team performed better than any other team in recent school history and yet we still lost. We watched the other team celebrate their victory, letting the loss sink in, each one of us thinking about what we could have done better earlier in the season and what we will do better next year. We reflected on our own seasons and many of us are ready to work harder than this past year so that we may finally win.
This last season, I have accomplished more than I ever thought was possible because I was willing to work hard. I still lost at conference, every single one of my races, but I'm not mad. I improved immensely and am a better swimmer than I was five months ago. I will continue to work hard because I have goals and am willing to wake up five days a week before the sun rises to lift and swim, go to class, then swim again in the afternoon so that one day, I can float victorious in the pool after my race, exhausted, but knowing that all my hard work has paid off.
No one ever got better by being comfortable. These foreign swimmers "taking spots" in the higher groups should be a wake up call to anyone who thinks they deserve to be in a higher group or who wants to move up. The time has come for Canyons swimmers to work harder than before and work for a spot in a higher group. If they truly belong there, then they will get the spot. I have watched my teammates go last in a lane on a daily basis simply because they don't want to try. While holding each other accountable works every so often, it doesn't always work and we must be willing to make ourselves better before our teammates can help us.
We should not be asking ourselves how much further until the finish, but whether or not we possess the determination and the mental strength to go as far as needed. If your child isn't willing to go as far as they need to go to become better and is content with where they are, then the addition of foreign swimmers shouldn't matter to you. If your child does want to go the distance, then they will have to face obstacles and adversity, just another part of everyday life. In the real world, you don't get what you want, you get what you work for. Encourage your kids to work harder, but don't force them to if they are content with being where they are at and don't complain about faster kids taking away your child's "spot" if they never wanted that spot in the first place.
Finally!!! The first decent post on this blog.. And of course someone has to go in and rip it apart.. You give a college student no credit for intelligence that is obviously higher than yours.. It is about the kids, and the kids that complain the most are the ones that are being forced to swim by their egotistical parents. The kids that want to be there and are putting in the effort and the hard work, like the post above, are not complaining.
DeleteIs this recent post really a college student writing? Come on. I find it hard to believe. The choice of words doesn't jive ...it sounds like someone 'preaching' to parents.... Below is an excerpt of the last paragraph of this college student's post with the telling words with 'emphasis'.
ReplyDelete"'We' should not be asking 'ourselves' how much further until the finish, but whether or not we possess the determination and the mental strength to go as far as needed. If 'your child' isn't willing to go as far as they need to go to become better and is content with where they are, then the addition of foreign swimmers shouldn't matter to you. If 'your child' does want to go the distance, then they will have to 'face obstacles and adversity', just another part of everyday life. In the real world, you don't get what you want, you get what you work for. 'Encourage your kids' to work harder, but don't force them to if they are content with being where they are at and 'don't complain about faster kids' taking away 'your child's' spot if they never wanted that spot in the first place."
Also, wasn't this blog created to address other issues, such as financial concerns, favoritism, etc. not solely for the purpose of addressing the 'foreign' swimmers?
It is for addressing everything that is wrong with canyons. And the foreign swimmers are a big problem.
DeleteHave you read the original post? let me post it down here so you can read it again.
Delete"I'm sure you (like most parents) work hard, and teach your kids to work hard. In and out of the pool. While encouraging fair play. Good sportsmanship. And a level playing field.
So it goes without saying it must peeve you to no end when other people behave in direct opposition to the ideals you live in your everyday life. And the ideals you teach your kids.
So what do you do when your beloved Canyons Swim Club becomes overrun with Favoritism? Nepotism? Selectiveness?
Well, you can do what most parents do. Nothing.
And most do nothing simply out of fear, because they feel if they complain too much what little they have will be taken away.
Well, No Thank You.
This is the age of the internet.
We do NOT have to take it and say thank you.
We can vent our frustrations and let "the man" know we won't put up with his ways anymore.
For starters, how many of you think it is unfair that our new coach is shipping swimmers in from overseas into OUR club, diluting attention from our kids. And, yes, Dear Mom and Dad you're actually paying for that abuse and neglect
While in our Canyons BY Laws It clearly states:
Section C. Purpose.
The purpose of the CLUB is to further interest in amateur aquatic sports and to provide an opportunity for the development of amateur swimmers in and around the greater Santa Clarita Valley, by providing technical training and to conduct public relations and promotional activities related thereto.
Not on our watch.
And what about the unfair practices of not properly rotating each group through all the different pools so everybody gets a chance at the good water?
Not on our watch.
And this only scratches the surface. There is a lot of dirt that needs to be washed off our club.
That is what this blog is about.
Each week a post will occur highlighting an area of concern.
Canyons Swim Club you are officially on notice!
Canyons Informer"
Now that we got that out of the way, can you please tell me where financial problems are stated in that post? Yes favoritism is stated, yes pools are stated, but really, the foremost topic is the part about shipping over foreign swimmers. Nowhere does it state the financial problems of the club. Those are stated in other comments, not in the original post. Sure there is one sentence that ends with "parents, you are paying for that abuse," but that does not involve the main financial issues of the club.
Are you implying that, as a college student, I am unable to write at an "adult level"? According to the laws governing our country, I am an adult and should therefore be able to write and an "adult level." While I may not have the life experiences as one such as yourself may have, I do have the hundreds of books I have read to draw writing style and references from. Thank you for believing that I am an adult, as I am, but do not insult me by suggesting that because I am a college student, my word choice and writing style should be anything less than what it is.
DeleteI like this blog. It shows that a lot of people feel the same way about how the club and that this feeling has been around for quite some time. My only question that I have is why has no one done anything about it? Stop sitting behind your computers and actually go get something done about. Talking anonymously about your problems doesn't really solve anything. Why don't you join some group that actually tries to fix problems like these rather than just complaining all day?
ReplyDeleteDo you realize how hypocritical this post is? You are doing exactly what you are telling other people not to do.
DeleteI agree wholeheartedly with Feb. 27 @ 11:14PM. This blog was created for the entire scope of the the problems within Canyons. All the problems. Don't deflect the financial problems, the coaching problems, the culture problems to focus only on one of the problems. We have to address everything fully.
ReplyDeleteThis thread does not pertain to financial problems. They aren't being deflected, they are being ignored because that are irrelevant to this specific thread.
DeleteThe only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU Brave and Courageous Blogger Canyons Informer! For someone FINALLY to have the guts to say what we all know and think and are afraid to say.
So now that all the "venting" and finger pointing seems to have died down a bit... Maybe we can work to resolve the issues.
ReplyDeleteCoaches- we are paying coaches who do not coach. Not all but we know the ones. The yell out to the swimmers what to do and then talk or text. No watching swimmers to point on where they need to improve or what to work on. No instruction on technique. In short, no coaching. So why are we allowing it. We don't need baby sitters.
Favoritism - it's always going to be there. But advancement should be based on swim times. Not on who the parents are or who is on the board.
Financial problems - IRS audits do not automatically indicate guilt. However if there is an issue with a board member stealing ( and that is what it is ) it needs to be addressed. If there are questions... They should be brought out. Financial accountability is something that should be on paper and available for all to see.
Bottom line... I pay Canyons to coach my child. To make them a better swimmer. If a coach can't do it then they need to be replaced.
Board members should have the clubs (the swimmers) best interest in mind. If they don't... Replace them!
Well said. I hope that the Board is willing to work with parents to correct these concerns.
ReplyDelete