Wed,
Jul 26 2006
Published: June 16, 2006 09:28 am
One of Tahlequah's newest heroes
Bob Bradshaw might turn out to be one of Tahlequah’s newest
heroes.
For more than 40 years, Bob’s been coaching swim teams
in Arkansas and California. Many of his charges have stroked
their way to accolades and honors. He doesn’t toot his
own horn, but he was once a champion himself; he may have brought
back medals from the 1964 Olympics had the Vietnam War not interfered
with his plans. But as luck would have it, Bob’s in Tahlequah
now, and he’s the reason several dozen young people are
pushing through laps – as often as four days a week –
at the NSU Fitness Center pool.
For a number of Tahlequah residents, a USA Swimming-sanctioned
team will be a dream come true. Over the years, families have
moved to town – usually to work for NSU, the Cherokee
Nation or Indian Health Services – only to find a cherished
form of entertainment, recreation, athletic team or facility
isn’t available. Cherokee County can’t do much about
its lack of a professional baseball team or opera troupe, but
other endeavors are within our grasp, and it’s high time
a swim team got on the list of attainable goals.
Swimming is for everyone, and for a variety of reasons. It’s
one of the best forms of exercise, as it works almost every
part of the body, and burns as many or more calories than other
exercises. Many young people who are awkward in team sports
like basketball or football enjoy success as swimmers. Because
of the buoyancy offered by the water, it’s an ideal sport
for overweight folks, or people with arthritis, multiple sclerosis
or a variety of other ailments that affect bones and joints.
And for those who shun vigorous exercise because they can’t
stand to get too hot or to perspire profusely, swimming is a
cool – and cooling! – alternative, with different
strokes to break up the monotony.
Besides Bradshaw’s timely appearance, another element
was needed to make the swim program materialize: a sponsoring
organization. Predictably (at least for those of us who are
acquainted with the innovative, motivated leaders involved),
Boys & Girls Club of Tahlequah took on the role. (This prime
opportunity for young people is just another reason why area
residents must actively oppose anyone – elected officials,
school administrators, or business developers – who would
try to undermine B&GC in any way.)
After word got around about the swim program, dozens of youngsters
signed up. There’s room for more, too, thanks to a compromise
worked out with the Fitness Center. Originally, practice was
from 3:30 to 5 or 5:30 p.m., four days a week. But organizers
realized some interested kids might not be available at that
time, so now – at least during the summer – swimmers
can work out from 9 a.m. to noon. That work has paid off; several
swimmers have already started collecting awards. But kids aren’t
required to compete in meets; they can simply work out with
the rest of the kids. All they need is basic swimming skills,
which they can acquire through lessons offered by NSU Continuing
Education. They also pay $52 in annual dues – a reasonable
sum, considering the benefits.
And if Bradshaw and others have their way, those benefits will
increase in the future. Eventually, he’d like to see another
pool constructed – perhaps as part of the public school
system or a B&GC complex – and is on a committee to
study ways to make it happen. It would mean Tahlequah High School
could have its own swim team – a huge feather in our swimcap!
It would also eliminate a few minor glitches that must be overcome
to effectively utilize the Fitness Center pool, which is the
only suitable venue. NSU’s is an excellent facility, but
it’s hard to predict the usage from one day to the next.
Some days, golden-agers sidestroke or water-walk for therapeutic
purposes. On other days, groups of teens might be enjoying raucous
fun. But especially during the summer, when the pool is only
open two hours a day during the week, swimmers jostle to secure
lanes.
At the moment, only three laps are cordoned off for laps. A
fourth lane rope is available but is not in use, apparently
because a bolt on the pool wall is broken. If that could be
repaired, it would ease the congestion tremendously. Other steps
– mainly behavior modification – could be taken
to make way both for swim team members and other lap swimmers.
The biggest problem serious lap swimmers face is the rude behavior
of others. Often someone will jump into a lane already occupied
by a swimmer, without warning, or without looking where he’s
leaping. Some people can share lanes, but others can’t.
Common courtesy requires a swimmer ask before crowding someone
else.
By the same token, people who aren’t swimming laps shouldn’t
monopolize lanes. Sometimes they’ll stop to chat, effectively
rendering a lane useless for as long as 30 minutes. This is
quite inconsiderate, as is the tendency of some people to use
lanes for walking, aerobic maneuvers or slow, random dog-paddling,
when they could just as easily perform these exercises in the
“open” area of the pool. Perhaps it would help if
lifeguards would make sure the lap lanes are reserved for serious
swimmers.
But even limited facilities shouldn’t pose an insurmountable
obstacle for the up-and-coming swim team. Kudos to these kids
and their coach, and again, to B&GC. This worthy program
deserves wholehearted community support.
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