I'm often asked by club parents, "how can I help?" I'm quite sure more then one of you have been a bit baffled when I couldn't come up with a task immediately. It's not that there aren't a million things that need to be done. Trust me, I've got them racing about my head all day long with the rest neatly catalogued on my Blackberry. The truth is, most days when I'm hit with the, "how can I help?" question I draw a blank.

As short course season draws to a close and we prepare for summer league I find myself asking how to better involve parents. After some pondering here my list of how parents can help Hays Swim Club:

• Love and support your swimmer - competitive swimming (in my opionion) is one of the toughest sports known to man. To be good a swimmer must constantly practice, attend to minute details, maintain healthy habits and sacrifice their body and time. Swimming success doesn't come easy. In a world where most kids are camped in front of Sponge Bob or the Playstation, a swimmer is literally moving against the currents of popular culture. So parents, appreciate the talent and drive your swimmer has. Make sure they know how proud you are of them, their dedication and ability to follow a path less traveled.
• Promote your swim club - Coach Scott and I set out three years ago to do nothing more then introduce the sport of swimming to a handful of triathlete's kids. Over the past seasons that has grown into a passionate mission that we share. Ultimately, I am confident that I will define my life by this. So please, help us promote the sport of competitive swimming and Hays Swim Club. Invite the neighbor kids to a practice, get involved with recruiting efforts like SwimFEST, and talk it up at work. Swimming has always been nurtured and grown from grass root efforts.
• Volunteer - get involved. For those who have told me you don't know how to time (and you know who you are) I say bully! If you have an opposable thumb you can time. Nothing makes a more powerful statement to your swimmer as your involvement in their sport. Volunteer to drive, run the ready bench, time, cook hot dogs, or hand out awards. Swim meets provide a great opportunity to get involved. This summer we will host two CCSL swim meets in Plum Creek, you can help make them great!