FINA concludes 2012 technical swim clinic

The 2012 FINA Technical Swim Clinic ended last Saturday with participants getting hands-on experience with the holding of a mock swim meet at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.

Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation’s Carol-Lynn Calobong Pierce said the Marpi pool deck became a virtual classroom for aquatic enthusiasts who attended the five-day clinic conducted by FINA Technical Committee vice chair Don Blew.

She said Saipan Swim Club and Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan members participated in the impromptu swim meet.

“Swimmers swam their hardest while clinic participants tried their hands at several officiating positions. Mr. Blew guided officials and swimmers throughout the two-day meet. On Day 1 officials were reticent on how to apply their new found skills and as a result swimmers swam their events twice to give officials optimum deck time. Day 2 began with confident officials in white who moved with precision and accuracy around the pool deck,” said Calobong Pierce.

Blew didn’t limit his teaching to volunteer officials though, as SSC and Tsunami Saipan swimmers were even taught deck protocol before their events.

“Officials chose a uniform to wear which gave them confidence and the appearance of professionalism on the deck. Parents learned to work as an officiating team questioning what they thought they saw in strokes below the surface of the water. They viewed the swimmers in a technical manner paying attention to details in starts, strokes, turns, and finishes. In turn, the swimmers and coaches learned correct protocol on deck,” she said.

Calobong Pierce said all participants of the clinic came away very impressed with Blew’s knowledge of competitive swimming despite being intimidated at first by the FINA official.

“At first parents were nervous about this world-class official with 30 years experience who participated at five Olympics and countless World Championships. He immediately put those fears to rest explaining that he himself started out in swimming as a volunteer parent from his island in Tasmania,” she said.

By the end of the clinic, Blew also was impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteer officials.

He told them they now hold the basic tools of knowledge to run competitive swim meets and that time and countless meets would assist in fine-tuning their new found skills.

Most importantly, Blew said volunteer officials must work together as one “officiating team” keeping in mind the swimmers’ enjoyment of swimming.

Overall, the five-day 2012 FINA Technical Swim Clinic went very well and participants will always be grateful for Blew, as Calobong Piece noted, “As a result of the technical swim clinic held this past week, participants will be watching the London Olympics with their newfound knowledge. Hopefully, the camera will show us glimpses of Don Blew in action at his sixth Olympics.”