Welcome!

Welcome to Hank Swims!

This is my first blog.  I have a lot of different interests, but one of my most favorite is watching and encouraging, our son Hank, while he swims.  He's 8 yrs. old (almost 9 - at the end of this month) going on about 45.  He has been swimming on summer swim teams for the last 4 yrs and recently joined a competitive USA swim team.

We started this whole swim journey as more of the need for water safety classes. We didn't really think he would develop a love of the sport, yet actually be good at it. (well maybe, hopefully,eventually 😏)

These are from Hank's very first swim meet with the Schertz Stingrays in the summer of 2016!  He did so good considering up to this point he had never had an official swim lesson prior to joining this swim team. After this meet he told us he didn't need to practice anymore, since he was in expert now.  He only wanted to go to the meets and race! Ha!  We had lots of long talks about how even the most professional, seasoned athletes train and practice daily to better themselves.

The following summer  we decided to switch teams and joined the Landa Park Dolphins in New Braunfels, TX.  It was a great decision and Hank has loved swimming there for the past 3 summers. 

This is Hank at his first meet with the Dolphins --Focused as usual!!

Hank has grown as a swimmer and developed skills that have really helped him, not only become a great swimmer, but a really, really good person. 

Each summer he has been able to qualify for state at the regional swim meet.  This past summer he qualified in all 3 of his events, 100 IM, 25 Breast and 100 Freestyle relay. It was a great meet and he has personal records (PR) in his IM and breast stroke events.  The hard work of the summer paid off!

This year the TAAF TX state games were held at Texas A&M college. They have a phenomenal facility and Hank did well.  We learned a lot watching the other swimmers compete and took home some valuable lessons for next year.

One of things I love about the Dolphins is they get the opportunity to complete a mile swim, that's right 1600 yrds, at the end of the season.  Hank has completed this each year and has improved year over year.  This past year he completed it in 41.14 mins!  The first year he swam the mile, it took him 58 mins!

The best for last on this post!!

Probably my most favorite meet of the season is the FUN meet at end of the year.  It's a meet with silly, goofy, fun races.  My favorite race is the parent relay.  Hank has the best dad (Shaman) and they swim it every year.  

Man I love this sport! 

**stay tuned--next post is all about the new USA team**