Dates and Reminders––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

• August 18 – 28: Preseason Practice Schedule, Mon – Thur, 4 – 5:30, Age Group and Preseniors only.
• August 30: Swim Tryouts, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. @ the pool--for new swimmers only.
• September 1 – 6: No Practices, GSC coaches will be attending the World Coach's Clinic
  in Las Vegas.
• September 6: GSC Registration, 8:00 - 10:30 a.m. @ JDHS Commons
• September 8: 2008 – 2009 Season Begins!

GSC Birthdays––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

• Lia Heifetz (18) – August 18
• Brody Anderson (13) – August 20
• Kaia Hamrick (11) – August 21
• Brady Allio (8) – August 23
• Kenny Fox (12) – August 23
• James Chang (11) – August 28
• Jay Hodgson (11) – August 28
• Sam Smith (8) – August 29
• Jessica Cooper (8) – August 31
• Forest Kobayashi (10) – August 31

Coach's Corner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Meet Calendar and Fall Practice Schedule
Please visit the website for the 2008-2009 meet calendar and fall practice schedule.

Thanks Gigi Kelly
Hope everyone has enjoyed watching the Olympics…what a show put on by the Americans, especially Michael Phelps. Big thanks to Gigi Kelly who organized the Olympic Bash party last week, lots of fun and cool prizes!

Looking forwarding and back. . . .
Look forward to seeing everyone at the pool this week, its been a long time since I have seen some of you. I had the opportunity to compete in my first triathlon on July 27. It was a ½ Ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run). Even though I coach swimmers every day, it was refreshing to set my own athletic goals, spend 6 months training, and then accomplish the goal. I had some major bike problems about 10 miles into the ride. Thanks to some great volunteers who got me back on the road, I was able to complete the race. Although I did not get my goal time, I was so proud to finish. I was especially pleased with realizing all the time and effort I put into training had a purpose, and that is what got me across the finish line.

We should all enjoy the process of working towards a goal, and not always focus on the goal and outcome itself. Every GSC swimmer grows as an athlete and a person if they set a goal, and then make (and follow through with) the commitment to achieve the goal. We should celebrate that more than the actual time at the big meet, a true life lesson. Sometimes we do the work and fall short, sometimes others don't do the work and still go fast…that is life, be proud of the process of working towards a goal, it will get you farther in life, not to mention you will live with much more happiness than those that always look for the easy, instant gratification.

PS – back to the triathlon, in case you are interested…I was the 1st amateur (there were about 30 pro athletes there) to complete the swim portion, I guess all the time I spend watching great GSC swimmers paid off!

Have a great week,

Coach Scott