Since Michael Phelps’ record-breaking performance at the 2008 Olympics, the interest in competitive swimming has steadily grown and has given rise to a new division of the Twisters swimming team at the Aquatic Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
“This team pretty much got started because of the chance to work and grow in a new pool,” said Rosemary Camera, coach of the Twisters. “The pool is gorgeous, and it has huge windows that are so clear that you can watch amazing views like the sun setting,” she added.
On Monday, October 26, coach Camera is expected to begin tryouts of five- to 10-year-olds, throughout the week. In potential candidates, Camera is simply looking for kids who love the water.
“We are trying to find enthusiastic kids who are willing to strive for excellence in the sport and in their lives,” she said.
Camera believes that one of the greatest aspects of competitive swimming is that the sport reaches a broad age group – from less than eight years of age all the way up through the age of 18. One of her goals for the kids is to make new friendships along the way.
As these swimmers build friendships and learn more about the sport, they’ll also gain math skills that can help them in the pool and in the classroom. Camera believes that swimming in a team like this builds your math skills in two different ways.
Achievement in swimming is based on increasing speed and cutting time off personal records. This pushes the development of an acute ability to perform mental math calculations a swimmer needs to determine their speed from the factors of distance and time.
Also, young swimmers need to keep track of the specific number of laps and yards that they rack up while exercising.
“Swimming is a win-win situation,” Camera said.
“A swimmer becomes fit by engaging a physically challenging yet meditative activity that centers both the body and the mind. There are relatively low numbers of injuries, and the activity can be enjoyed for a lifetime.”
For more information, contact Coach Camera at rosemarycamera@earthlink.net.
