I Love New York!
11.1.09 West Islip, NY
Couldn’t wait to get back to West Islip, NY! We had a great event in the spring and now we’re back. The ever-awesome, Peter Vanderkaay, was with me last time and I was excited the kids were going to meet, the Olympic Champion, Megan Jendrick!
Megan is one of the most amazing competitors I have ever met. I knew the kids would be amazed to here her story and see her 100 breastroke gold medal; moreover, race one of the best. We had some repeat swimmers and many new ones. It was my first time to lead a clinic with Megan and her stories were very inspiring. Of course we raced everybody and then it was our turn to race each other! I know Megan is one of the best breastrokers in the world, having just set a world record this last summer, but I knew I could take her. Boy was I wrong! Even though I’m a half a foot taller, she ran me down and smoked me! I was humbled and ecstatic all at the same time. It truly doesn’t matter how big you are- it’s all about technique and fitness. But I’m fired up now, so I’ll be ready for a rematch. Susan Whalen and all the other swim parents did a super job setting up for us and we had the perfect turnout of 75 swimmers in their 5 lane pool.
Steamline award winners were Chris for the boys and Bridgett and Katelyn for the girls!
And one of my favorite parts of a clinic after 5 hours of teaching, racing, signing, and loving on kids is the meal at our host’s home, the Whalen family. We had some amazing spaghetti with meatballs and finished it off with some pumpkin pie and cookies. But the best part really is just getting to be with another wonderful swimming family, when I am away from my own. Thanks again to Susan and her family for their hospitality!
Here’s a couple of nice notes I’d like to share.
Mr. Davis -
I cannot stress enough how good it was for my 9 year old daughter to spend the day with you and Megan Jendrick at The Breakout Swim Clinic with the West Islip Swim team this past weekend.
She has been swimming since she was 7 months old and only recently joined a Team and started going to meets.
She has enjoyed her meets and always liked practice, but after hearing you and Megan talk about your experiences it is like a lightbulb came on and she has realized that this sport she already enjoys is full of real world oppurtunity.
She won the “Streamline” award at the clinic and has literally not stopped smiling since. She had you sign the swim cap and made her Mom run right out and get a frame for it which now proudly hangs between The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato in her room. She has been working on setting goals for her upcoming meet season and is genuinely excited to race!
I picked her up from practice yesterday and she was explaining to me that we need to go to the Supermarket so that she can get some good protein snacks for right after practice just like Megan advised.
My wife and I are thrilled with her new found enthusiasm and thought we should let you know how worthwhile the experience was for all of us.
Thanks again and we hope to attend another clinic in the future!
“Our swim club hosted a BREAK OUT event last night and it was wonderful! I couldn’t believe how hands on Josh and Megan were with the kids. And so motivating! It was enjoyed by all the kids and adults as well. Thanks for providing these events!”
