TREX at Fernie!

TREX is back from their team travel meet in Fernie, and everyone is a little older and wiser!  

The buses departed on Friday morning, and by that afternoon the swimmers were competing in their first races of the weekend and cheering on their teammates.  The energy and enthusiasm was fantastic throughout the entire weekend, as were many of the results!

Friday afternoon session saw Dinos racing tough in 800s, 200 free and 200 stroke events.  There was great race preparation, execution, and many very strong finishes in those great longer races.

After a good supper at the lodge and (for most) a good night's sleep, on Saturday the Dinos started sprinting. We saw brave racing and great results in the 100 backstrokes and 50 breaststrokes.  We saw (and heard!) so much Dino Spirit in the 4x50 freestyle relays. The 100 IMs and 50 freestyles on Saturday were the events that factored into the exciting SKINS eliminator races at the end of the day.  Six 10 & Under swimmers: Jessica, Anna and Grace, Connor, Brody and Anson qualified, as well as three 11 & Over swimmers: Zhenya, Simon and Kazeo. While their 10 & Under teammates watched and cheered to the livestream of the races from the lodge and the 11 & Overs lined up poolside cheering "T-REX!," these brave Dinos competed one 25m intense race after another, and Grace, Anson and Kazeo came out on top, winning those exciting races in their age groups, and prizes of vouchers for pizzas and cookies for their team!

By Sunday the Dinos had settled into the routine of a team travel meet. Some new friendships evolved, there was lots of support amongst teammates both in the lodge as responsible representatives of UCSC, and at the meet: encouraging each other, helping and sharing, and again, great strong racing in the pool.

Swimmers gain direct experience and learn the consequences of their choices when given an opportunity to travel with the team.  Respecting their teammates, taking responsibility for their own need to rest and eat well, keeping their things organized, and being brave and willing to ask for help when they need it are just a few of the solid and mature behaviours we observe in the swimmers. By processing successes and difficulties on their own, knowing that the strong support of teammates, coaches, chaperones, and parents is there for them on the other side of that individual experience, the swimmers become more independent and resourceful.  Young swimmers become more trustworthy when we trust them. They become more responsible when we give them responsibilities.  We are so proud of our TREX swimmers!

Finally, a really big shout-out to the Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club for running such a fabulous meet.  From all of the wonderful officials, to the facility, the fun and welcoming EVDSC host club, and the commentator who kept us all even more attentive and entertained, a huge THANK YOU from the Dinos.