SSC holds successful time trials

Saipan Swim Club recently held a time trial at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan in San Antonio. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Saipan Swim Club swimmers recently donned their caps and goggles in an attempt to set new personal bests in the lap pool at Pacific Islands Club Saipan in San Antonio. 

The SSC time trial schedule of 16 events included events ranging from a 25-yard kick for beginners to a 200-yard individual medley for the more seasoned swimmers.

Excited family members lined the pool to watch their kids and grandkids performance in the pool. For some of the almost 60 signed-up swimmers this was their first experience at swimming in an organized race environment and the pre-race jitters clearly showed on their faces. 

One swimmer was heard asking; “Is it okay to be nervous?” The answer is, it is perfectly normal to be nervous, it is all part of swimming, the hard work put in during practice, the culmination of the hard work at a time trial or race, the competition, the support of your team mates, setting a new personal best, and stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Once done with the races the smiles and the sense of accomplishment emerges through, the looks on the faces changes to that say; “we got this!”

“I am really happy with the way everyone stepped up and tried their best. I am super impressed with the younger swimmers who practice at Green Flash Dive Shop for joining the trials and trying something different. Practicing swimming is one thing but swimming in front of a crowd against other swimmers is a completely different ball game.Their excitement was contagious,”  said SSC coach Richard Sikkel.  

He added that SCC’s developmental team—the BB and B swimmers—also did really well, saying these trials were an excellent way for SSC coaches to see what the swimmers are doing well and what areas need work and improvement. 

“A few stand-outs emerged showing that the younger swimmers are hungry for speed and they are nipping at the heels of our older swimmers. It is a good reminder that it takes work to get top times and it is even more work to keep registering top times. Our competitive swimmers keep making improvements and their steady progression is encouraging,” he said.

SSC’s last scheduled event of 2022 is the Hundred Hundreds on Dec. 24. The 2023 event schedule of events is in the works and will see the return of the Meek and Mighty, the Pau Pau to Tanapag swim, and local favorite the Escape from Managaha. (PR)