Articles by Dartes Swimmers Past and Present
Every now and again, someone pops up out of the deep end and writes an article for the website.
Sometimes these are former Dartes swimmers with happy memories to share.
Often they're current members with something special or interesting to shout about.
Either way, if it's interesting and in some way connected to Dartes or Doncaster Swimming, we'll probably publish it.
Here's one of those articles.
An Electric Atmosphere at Every Meet
Introduction
What do you remember from the Duel in the Pool?
A few Dartes families popped over to Manchester that weekend and the overriding impression was that the atmosphere was electric. It certainly came across that way on TV. Whenever any of the star swimmers appeared in front of the cameras with Sharron Davies the volume hit the roof. And how many of those stars thanked the crowd for the great support? Practically all of them, every time they got the chance. It makes a difference and the swimmers appreciate it, so do we need more of it?
Well Steve Dodson was one of those in the crowd and he thinks every swim meet should have that kind of atmosphere. You want to know why? Read on ...
Date: 21 Dec 2009
Author: Steve Dodson
An Electric Atmosphere at Every Meet
Could you imagine going to a Football match where you were not allowed to make any noise? It would be hard to comprehend wouldn't it!
Well if you want to know what it would be like then come along to any one of the swim meets we attend.
Imagine sitting on a hot poolside for 12 hours falling asleep.
For 10-12 minutes in that 12 hours your child swims and you come to life for the brief 1min swim, occasionally giving an encouraging "COME ON".
Then as fast as it came it's gone.
Back to sleep for a couple of hours until your child swims again.
Anyone reading these few lines would think: why would any one want to put themselves through this torture, it sounds like hell.
Well it WAS.
Until a merry band of Dartes parents decided enough was enough, and the Loud and Proud was born.
After all, Dartes is a team and our swimmers should be supported like a team.
So why not shout for every single swimmer on the team and not just your own.
So off to Ponds Forge we went. Unfortunately I don't think the other teams' supporters were ready for us, and the complaints rolled in. Maybe the air horns were a little loud and the cow bells did get annoying, but the atmosphere was electric. Our day flew past with great expectations for Sunday being even better.
But alas it was not to be. As we arrived we were told by the officials that we were not allowed to use the horns or the bells. I never thought I would see the day when you would be asked to stop supporting your club. A massive venue like Ponds Forge (it takes a lot of noise in the stands to even be heard on poolside) and asked to keep it down because someone wants to read a book.
One word "Library"!
Even without the horns or bells we shouted our team on until we couldn't shout any more. Mums and Dads united -- it was great. Still we were getting funny looks from other parents, I couldn't understand it, but we didn't care.
The point is that swimming isn't just about the swimmers. They don't take themselves to the pool 7-9 times a week getting up at 4 in the morning. We, the parents, have to go too. Then we hurry home to go to work, only to rush back again at tea time to get the kids to the pool once more. What's the point in giving all that time and effort every day of every week, to just not bother at meets when you can actually see the results?
I say make as much noise as you can. At Duel in the Pool no one was quiet. They positively encouraged noise and even had cheerleaders to make the crowd buzz with excitement! So why are we always asked to be quiet? The kids deserve our support, and we deserve to be able to show it.
I'm Steve Dodson, Shannon's and Tyler's Dad. I’m Loud when Allowed. But most of all I’m very very Proud!