Instructor of the Week

This is Andrew McKinzie's first summer with Sugar Land Swim School and we are already very glad to have him with us!  Andrew is about to start his senior year at Austin High School.  He is a member of the Austin High School swim team, and has spent multiple summers swimming with the New Territory Tarpons.  Andrew is a fantastic instructor; he does a wonderful job of explaining the difficulties of every stroke to all of his swimmers.  He engages each of his swimmers during lessons, and gives his best effort no matter the class.  Well done, Andrew!  Glad you're on our team!

Instructor of the Week

Meet the Wort siblings, Charlie (right), Joseph (left) and Kayla (middle), all Sugar Land Swim School instructors!  If you have been with Sugar Land Swim School for more than one session, you have probably taken a lesson with one of the Wort siblings.  This is Charlie's third year as an instructor with Sugar Land Swim School, and his second year as a private lessons instructor. Joseph started out as a teaching assistant three years ago, and has been a group lessons instructor for the past two years, and has begun to teach some private lessons as well.  Kayla is one of our teaching assistants this year, and this is her first summer with Sugar Land Swim School.  All three of the Worts are veterans of the New Territory Tarpons summer league team.  Both Charlie and Kayla are members of First Colony Swim Team, a Sugar Land USA team.  We are so thankful to have Charlie, Joseph and Kayla on our team!  Thank you each for the effort, quality, and interest you put into your lessons and time with SLSS!

Instructor of the Week

Congratulations to our instructor of the week, John Remmers!  This is John's second summer with Sugar Land Swim School.  John just finished his summer league season with the Greatwood Gators, and is currently swimming with Platinum Aquatics.  We are very glad to have John on our team; he does a great job teaching backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly in our Stroke Development classes.  He always puts his best foot forward in his classes, is very attentive, and very willing to sub whenever we need him.  Well done, John!  Thanks for being on our team.

Instructor of the Week

This week, we are thankful to have Jill Belgen on our team.  Jill is a very responsible instructor; she is very good at keeping control of some of the craziest classes.  At all times, Jill is aware of where each of her students is in the pool.  She is very attentive to the safety of her students.  This is Jill's second summer with Sugar Land Swim School and we are glad to have her.  Well done, Jill!

Got Milk?

Got milk?  Did you know that milk is an incredible source of protein, amino acids, natural sugars, vitamins, calcium and minerals?  Well, it is.  In fact, milk contains two different types of protein, important for repairing muscles.  Did you know that milk is particularly important for active swimmers?  Yup.  After long, grueling workouts in the pool, it is important to replenish muscles with necessary proteins and carbs.  Milk, specifically chocolate milk, is one of the best sources of protein and healthy carbs for a post-workout recovery snack.  Studies have shown chocolate milk to be an even better recovery drink than Gatorade...what?  Yup.  Now if only the same were true for chocolate ice cream...So, if you (like me) need an excuse to drink a tall, cold, creamy glass of chocolate (or regular) milk, look no further.  You've found your excuse.

Below are resources with more information about the benefits of milk as a recovery drink for swimmers and athletes.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a glass of chocolate milk.

http://www.runnersforum.com/special/milk_recovery_drink.html
http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&ItemId=5349&mid=11545

Instructor of the Week

This week's instructor of the week is Jillian Gicana!  Jillian currently attends Elkins High School and will be a Junior this coming fall.  She is a member of the Elkins Varsity team, and a member of First Colony Swim Team.  Jillian is a ver knowledgeable instructor and always does a good time handling her classes.  She is reliable, resourceful, and positive in all of her lessons.  Well done, Jillian!  Glad to have you on our team.

Not All Goggles are Created Equal

Not all goggles are created equal.  If you are an experienced swimmer, you know this to be true.  You probably have a favorite make or model of goggles.  If you've been swimming long enough, you might have a pair of over-worn or "vintage" goggles that you refuse to part with, due to the fact that the specific model has been discontinued (RIP Speedo Aquaracers, circa 2007) and, let's be honest, you're a bit nostalgic.

Perhaps you or your child are new to swimming.  You might be of the opinion that goggles are torture devices, designed to pinch your nose and squish your eyes, and no matter how much you tighten the straps, water still gets inside the eyes sockets.  Well, here's a thought:  Not all goggles are created equal.  Yep, it's true.  In fact, you probably have the wrong goggles to fit you or your child's face.

Here are some great resources on finding the right goggles for you or your child:
http://m5coff.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Pick-the-Best-Goggles-for-Your-Child
http://swim.isport.com/swimming-guides/choosing-swimming-goggles

Instructor of the Week

This is Emma Miller's first summer with Sugar Land Swim School, but we are more than happy to have her on our team!  Emma will begin her junior year at Elkins High School this fall, and is a member of the Elkins swim team.  Her positive and up-beat personality make all of her lessons productive and fun.  No matter what ages or levels her classes may be, Emma makes the most of each lesson.  Thank you, Emma for all of your hard work!  Well done!

I Spy a Drowning Child

Yes, this topic has been addressed multiple times on our blog...but it is honestly difficult to overstate the importance of being able to identify a drowning child.  They will not scream.  They will not wave their arms above the water.  They will not be actively trying to get your attention.  They will be trying to survive; trying to breathe by keeping their mouth near the surface.  The following video illustrates just how easy it is to miss a drowning child when scanning the pool for danger.  Keep your kids safe this summer!

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25583480/investigators-drowning-is-silent

Instructor of the Week

This week's instructor highlight goes to Simi Moirangthem!  Simi is a recent graduate of Austin High School.  She will begin studying at the University of Texas in Dallas this coming fall.  Simi is one of our private lesson instructors.  She is a veteran swim instructor at Sugar Land Swim School, and is a very dedicated, interactive, and positive instructor.  Simi always has a smile on her face, makes a point to encourage each of her swimmers during their lessons, and always makes the most of each lesson.  Well done, Simi!  We are so glad to have you on our team.

Sunshine and Sunscreen

Well, summer is fully upon us!  School is out.  Children are everywhere.  The pools are open!  Birds are singing.  Dogs are barking.  There is plenty fun to be had out of doors under the hot, blazing, Texas sun.  Whether you or your family are out riding bikes, flying kites, picking daises, playing catch (or maybe even fetch with Fido), be sure to apply some sunscreen before heading outside!  Not only are sunburns painful, but they increase an individual's chance of developing skin cancer later in life.

For more facts about how, when, and what kind of sunscreen to apply, see the following:
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/12516063/sunscreen-facts-you-need-to-know

http://www.parents.com/kids/safety/outdoor/5-steps-to-sun-safety-for-kids/

http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/sun_safety.html

Be safe.  Have fun!  Use sunscreen.

Instructor of the Week

Time for another instructor of the week!  This is Sidney Tolani's first summer with Sugar Land Swim School.  During the May lessons, Sidney stepped in multiple times as a sub instructor.  She is good at keeping even the rowdiest students seated amidst lessons.  Her firm tone of voice, genuine smile, and determination to involve every student in her lessons makes Sidney an incredible instructor.  Well done Sidney!!  So glad you are a part of our team.

Water Watchers and Pool Safety

Drowning is a potential danger in any swimming environment, especially when young or inexperienced swimmers are in the water.  Usually drowning is silent, the individual will be vertical in the water with their mouth just under the surface of the water, arms and legs attempting to tread water in an attempt to access air.  Most drowning incidents occur at parties, events, or crowded pools where lifeguards are not present. To minimize risk, one or more individuals can be designated as "Water Watchers."  More information on Water Watchers and pool safety in the video below:

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/25624377/2014/05/27/pool-safety-experts-most-drownings-are-silent-no-screams-or-splashing

Instructor of the Week

This week's featured instructor is Polly Luong!  Polly is a returning instructor with Sugar Land Swim School.  In the fall, Polly will begin her freshman year at the University of Texas, having just graduated from Austin High School.  Whether Polly is teaching a Learn to Swim, Stroke Development, or Adult class, she is always very patient with her students.  She is very observant and helps her swimmers perfect their technique and form.  We are ever so thankful for Polly's quality efforts and interests in each of her lessons.  Well done, Polly!

Thunder and Lightening

Well, with this coming week's weather forecast, this is a great time to go over the importance of safety procedures at the pool during a thunder/lightening storm.  Thunder and lightning are particular pool dangers because you, the swimmer, have limited knowledge of the storm.  Even if you know exactly where the heart of a storm is, you have no way of knowing where lightning may strike.  In order to be as safe as possible amidst a storm with thunder and lightening, all individuals should completely exit the pool and stay back from the edge a safe distance (several feet or so).

Thunder is an audible indicator of the distance of lightening to your location.  Whenever you hear thunder, the louder the thunder, the closer the storm.  The more closely the thunder is followed by lightening, the closer the the storm.  In order to keep safety at a maximum during a storm, people should remain outside and away from the pool for 30 minutes from the last noted clap of thunder or flash of lightening.  Once 30 minutes have passed without thunder or lightening, the pool is safe for more fun and splashing!

Instructor of the Week

Summer is practically here!  Sugar Land Swim School has begun it's first session of classes for the summer.  Many of last year's instructors, and we are also very pleased to welcome some fantastic additions to the SLSS team this summer.  In fact, one of our new instructors, Amanda Beaver, is our instructor of the week!  Amanda just wrapped up her first year at A&M studying nutrition.  We applaud Amanda's hard work as an instructor; her positive attitude when dealing with swimmers, patience during lessons, and dedication to each class are very much appreciated.  Well done Amanda!