FREESTYLE

Glen Pesola, 12 years old, West Side YMCA Piranhas

How did you first start swimming?

My mom enrolled my older brother in swimming and she thought that I would be good at it too.

Did you choose to swim freestyle or did you discover you were good at it first?

I kind of choose the stroke when I realized it was my favorite and I swam really well at it. My older brother also liked it so that made me like it too.

What are the challenges of the freestyle stroke? What does it take to be good?

I think a lot of arm muscles to pull and also a lot of kicking so that you go really fast.

How do you prepare for a meet?

We usually do practice for diving and practicing the stroke that you’re going to be doing and we do timing. We practice three times a week for an hour and a-half.

Is everyone very competitive or does the team joke around a lot?

Older kids are really competitive and they try to be fast and better than someone else. It makes me more competitive because I want to be the best.

What are you most proud of with regard to your swimming accomplishments?

I placed 7^th overall [in the 11 and 12-year-old category] in the 200-yard freestyle at the YMCA New York State Swimming Championships in March. When you win a race it feels really good that you’ve accomplished something and that you’ve actually won.

For more information on the West Side YMCA Piranhas, visit ymcanyc.org/west-side/youth/piranhas-swim-team.

BREASTSTROKE

Zoe Chamberlin, 11 years old, Apex Swim Club

How did you first get started swimming?

When I was little I started at a place called SwimJim and from there I started taking more swimming lessons at the Riverdale Y and I was on their swim team. I was always winning races in the swim meets and I was getting a little bored and I needed something more challenging, so my parents signed me up for Apex.

What are the challenges of this stroke? What does it take to be good?

I think that you have to have a lot of strength in your legs and arms because you’re pulling really hard with your arms and your legs are moving you across the pool and you have to have a lot of force in your body.

How do you prepare for a meet or race?

I have to eat a good breakfast with a lot of protein and carbs to get my energy level up and I drink Vitamin Water and I eat fruit. Basically, for me, that’s all I really need.

Why do you like swimming with Apex?

I’m challenged a lot more and I really like my coach and my teammates are really supportive and I’m supportive of them too.

What are you most proud of with regard to your swimming accomplishments?

I’m most proud of making it to the Zone team because it’s only my second year swimming competitively and to make it to the fastest people in metro. I was really proud and I couldn’t believe that I actually did it and finished in the top 8. I made it to the Junior Olympics too–last year and this year, too.

Has being on the team introduced you to a new group of friends?

At first I didn’t know anybody and I was really nervous to meet new people because I’m usually shy around people I know. But then after a few practices, when I got to know them, I started making new friends.

For more information on the Apex Swim Club, visit lehman.cuny.edu/vpstud/apexathletics/uss_club/uss.html.

BACKSTROKE

Tina Rodriguez, 12 years old, LaGuardia Twisters

How did you first get started swimming?

When I was little my dad was a swim instructor so he got me into swimming.

Did you choose to swim backstroke or did you discover you were good at it first?

I like the stroke itself and my coaches say I’m really good at it. I made finals at the Junior Olympics in March in backstroke.

What are the challenges of this stroke? What does it take to be good?

I think that the hardest part is that you’re on you’re back and you’re not as physically aware of where you are in the pool, and also that the water gets in your face a lot.

How do you prepare for a meet or race?

I practice four days a week. I usually like to eat fruit and Power Bars before my race. I stretch a lot so my muscles loosen up.

Why do you like swimming with the Twisters?

The coaches are really supportive and they make sure that you’re comfortable in the water and the other team members are really nice. They help you when you need it.

Do you think you’ll continue swimming as you grow up?

Yeah, I want to get into it in college and in high school because I feel that I’m doing a good job now so I’d want to continue it.

For more information on the LaGuardia Twisters, visit lgactwisters.com.

BUTTERFLY

Alec Kahn, 11 years old, 92^nd St. Y Flying Dolphins

What do you enjoy most about swimming?

I just like being in the water. It’s not about it being a sport.

What are the challenges of the butterfly stroke? What does it take to be good?

I think it’s one of the harder strokes. I think you need really good endurance. But to sprint you just need to be really strong.

How do you prepare for a meet?

The day before I swim, I always eat pasta. Right before I swim I warm myself up by wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts and drinking a lot of Gatorade, Vitamin Water and water. I usually don’t eat too much right before my race.

Why do you like swimming with 92^nd St. Y Flying Dolphins?

I like having a team and having them cheer you on. I like being in relays.

Is everyone very competitive or does the team joke around a lot?

Everyone is friendly but everybody has competitors on other teams. But they’re still friendly with those competitors.

What are you most proud of with regard to your swimming accomplishments?

I’ve gotten second place twice, high-point award trophies. And I’ve gotten a lot of first place medals and ribbons.

For more information on the 92^nd St. Y Flying Dolphins, visit 92y.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Swimming In The City: Vadim Shoyket of Physique Swimming Offers Some Advice For Parents Of Swimmers Of All Ages

At what age should boys and girls learn how to swim?
When it comes to learning to swim, earlier is better. I recommend beginning swimming lessons as early as 6 months. Infants can learn the fundamentals: holding their breath, gliding, floating and kicking.

When should children start to consider competitive swimming?
When choosing whether or not competitive swimming is the right path for your swimmer, there are two factors to consider: endurance and technique. A swimmer will also need to have knowledge of both freestyle and backstroke before joining a swim team.

How do most children balance swimming with school and other activities?
One of the benefits of joining a swim team is that it forces children to develop excellent time management skills. The best advice I can give a parent to help a child manage a sport and school is to work with your child to create and maintain a schedule (and be sure to schedule in a bit of free time).

What is your advice for parents who are considering enrolling their child on a swim team?
Be supportive and avoid pushing your child. Children will remember their swim team experiences for the rest of their lives, so it’s important to make these memories good ones.

Swim Classes

If you’re looking to enroll your child in a swim class, here are some trusted programs around the city.

92^nd St. Y: 92y.org

Asphalt Green: asphaltgreen.org

Aqua Skills: aquaskills.com

Imagine School of Swimming: imagineswimming.com

New York Sports Club: mysportsclubs.com

Physique: physiqueswimming.com

SwimJim: swimjim.com

Take Me To The Water: takemetothewater.com

Your local YMCA: ymcanyc.org