NAWILIWILI — It didn’t take much convincing to get the swimmers of Mokihana Aquatics to get the messages presented to them and their parents as they settled back from a hearty dinner of giant hamburgers and all the dressings to
NAWILIWILI — It didn’t take much convincing to get the swimmers of Mokihana Aquatics to get the messages presented to them and their parents as they settled back from a hearty dinner of giant hamburgers and all the dressings to listen to three notable figures from the swimming world at the Whalers’ Brewpub Wednesday night.
At the invitation of Mokihana coach Orlando “O” Anaya, Chris Woo, Kim Holmes, Bill and Peaches Smith joined club members and their parents in a setting away from the water.
Woo, an Olympian from the 1976 Games, said the most important thing about swimming is to have fun.
Anaya pointed out that Woo, sluicing the water at 55.99, has the distinction of holding the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) record the longest.
Anaya said Woo’s time was also a national record breaker for youth 17-19 age bracket, the then Punahou senior going on to qualify for the Olympics, and furthering his swimming career by earning Gold in that event.
In addition to having fun, Woo offered four “pearls” to the aspiring swimming families, the first being that swimming builds self confidence, swimming provides opportunities, swimming builds a sense of not being afraid of hard work, and swimming is like a journey as swimmers accomplish each level and challenge before moving on to the next task.
Holmes, a sports coordinator for USA Swimming based out of Colorado Springs, added that her visit to Mokihana was intended to help the club, the coaches, and the parents, noting how thrilled she was that some of the swimmers thought the evening was important enough to wear their club tee-shirts, clearly an indication of the pride they had in belonging to the organization.
Holmes told the group about the importance of being part of a story, a key element that perpetuates the tradition of the organization.
As swimmers advance, they “learn” about other swimmers’ achievements, and talk to other swimmers about those accomplishments, Holmes said.
These stories are important as each swimmer will one day be a part of a story.
Holmes also pointed out a cloud that appears to be looming over the pool as nationally, high schools are becoming stricter in restricting swimmers from participating in age group and club level activities despite the swimmers being able to successfully manage their personal schedules to accomodate the different swimming programs.
This has resulted in a national legislation, the right to pariticipate, a movement that she will make available to interested people through e-mail.
Holmes also invited people to this year’s Olympic tryouts that will be hosted in Long Beach, California where a special pool will be built on a parking lot featuring bleachering to accomodate 10,000 people.
Holmes noted in closing that this was the same location where Woo successfully qualified for his Olympic journey.
Bill Smith, 79, was no stranger to Mokihana swimmers as he inevitably can be seen at most of the major meets around the state.
Smith, Anaya said, was a 1948 Olympian in London, earning Gold in the 400 Free while setting an Olympic record in the process.
Smith also came home with gold in the 4×2 100 Relay from the same games.
A 12-time champion of the Big 10, Smith swam for Ohio State where he was also recognized as an eight-time NCAA champion.
Smith, in that period of time, broke 12 American records and eight World records in various events.
Smith and his wife Peaches are the parents of Kekaha School principal Billi Smith, the oldest of four of their children.
The notable swimming people will be on hand to work with the Mokihana swimmers on a more personal level during the club’s Thursday practice at the KHS pool.
