Well, as of 2 days ago everyone was back in the water as a group.  No, we didn't start practice yet, but swim lessons are here.  Remember those days?  You got to spend 30 minutes with a swimmer that was a collegiate athlete who was going to teach you all the secrets of the sport and help jump start your path towards Olympic stardom.  Standing on deck, it's exciting to see kids with huge smiles are their faces, arms and legs flailing as they anticipate jumping in the water.  You know that in their minds they're thinking, "OK, if I do well today, I can get at least 5 jumps off the board and 3 rope swings.  And then I'll make sure to grab myself a cookie before they're all gone" 

Yesterday, one of our younger beginning swimmers took the plunge off the 3M board.  That's awesome!  With the season only 11 days away, I hope the team is filled with the same anticipation and excitement to jump in the water on September 21st as all the younger swimmers were on Tuesday when lessons started.  So why I won't promise the guys time on the board (except for the divers), or swinging from the rope (unless it's part of a power circuit), and will promise them that if they work hard and give their best effort, that they can have a cookie if there are any left over once lessons conclude.