"My dad's escape decision was in many way was driven by his lack of swimming…"

 

A really nice person from HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel contacted us about a story they were working on.  They had come across the recent research and were appalled by the raw numbers reflecting the drowning rate of Blacks and Hispanics.   We often get calls from media folks who are pursuing their stories.  We welcome these calls and always hope that they will come see our program, our kids, our families, our volunteers, their families, our coaches and our community. 

 

We have something very special that goes on here.  I am convinced that it is just a matter of time before someone in the national media takes notice.   This is not a matter of vanity.  Nor do I believe that it is about me at all.  I just know that there is no way that anyone can look at these faces, these genuine smiles and not be moved.  Each Saturday night we have a unique combination of young people, from various ethnic groups and socio-economic backgrounds working together to break the cycle of drowning. 

 

Just as important as the activity in the water is the networking that happens in the stands.  Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all gather together in support of their children.  And I have found that each and every family has a story.  And with each story I become even more blessed to be able to play a small in helping to bring everyone together.  Nadar Por Vida concentrates on reaching out to Latinos because as a 1^st generation Mexican-American it is what I know best.  BUT we welcome all children, all families with a target of children of color and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.  

 

During the course of our discussions with our Real Sports contact we were asked to find out if anyone had any stories related to the trauma of drowning.  With over 100 families to choose from, I randomly called a family who first said that they knew of no stories…but later shared the shared the following.   All I can tell say after learning of this story is, I am proud to live in such an ethnically diverse community.  I am proud that we can appreciate and respect the experience of others. 

 

You have heard of Vietnamese boat people - right?  These were wave of people braved the water on tiny boat seeking freedom from the oppressive Vietnam communism.  People were escaping Vietnam as early as mid 80', and sadly the death tolls were extremely high.  Most of the deaths were results from drowning because boats were capsized.  

My father and our oldest brother, both didn't know how to swim, had opted to escape the Vietnam by land route because the drowning casualties were simply too high.  To make the long story short, they left Vietnam in '79 and have been missing since.

I guess what I'm saying here is my father could have opted to take the water route if he & my brother knew how to swim - and I'm not suggesting that the water route would have been a safer route.  My dad's escape decision was in many way was driven by his lack of swimming

 

And if I continue to ask the same question of my other families, can you imagine how many more stories can be shared?   I will try to do more to show you a glimpse of my families of whom I am so proud.    Thank you Real Sports for considering our stories.  I would not have thought to ask this question without you!  Nadar Por Vida – affecting families' one bubble at a time!

Not everyone will learn to swim.

 

Not everyone will graduate from high school or go to college.  Not everyone will want to become a competitive swimmer.   So what is the point? 

 

Some will.

 

I believe in the dignity of giving of oneself to make things better.  If I can improve a stroke, or save a life from drowning, or show a newly arrived family a little about my America, then I believe it is a worthwhile activity.  I believe it is important to show others that giving is easy and affecting a life, long lasting.

 

I speak of my swimmers but have spent little time addressing our volunteers.  We have a unique program in that we have, on average, over 20 teenagers who volunteer their time on a Saturday night.  They bring a common love of swimming, are good students and generally add Nadar Por Vida to their other volunteer obligations.  

 

Separate and a part from our swimmers are our volunteers who are the heart of our program.  These are the kids who lead their high school teams, who serve as role models in almost all they do, who make the honor role as easy as swimming across the pool.  They come from families that vary in income but clearly share a love of education and the desire to make a difference in their communities.    

 

But for the most part, my volunteers are all kids who have no idea how awesome they really are!  So why do they connect with my swimmers?   The truth is I have no idea except to believe that when you bring good people something great is bound to occur.  And it does!   To see a practice at Nadar Por Vida is to see a unique chemistry unfold as evidenced by smiles and joy shared by the swimmers, the volunteer coaches and the families of both the swimmers and the volunteers.   

 

Yes, I believe that one night of swimming can effect all who are involved.  Impressions become indelible, dreams find their beginning, and perspectives begin to be forever changed. A meaningful smile can and does change a life.  Nadar Por Vida where our volunteers affect lives one bubble at a time!

 

 

Truth, Respect and Swimming

I grew up as a first generation Mexican-American raised solidly in the American dream.  My father became a citizen during WWII where he served on PT Boat 129.  (President Kennedy's PT boat was 109).   What I hope to bring to swimming is truth..my truths.  For my experience and truth is truly all I have to share. 

 

But what has this to do with swimming?

 

My father taught me that respect was the basis for all we do.  When my swimmer's come on deck, before they touch the water, they must begin to understand the importance of respect to others, beginning with respect to themselves. So I provide the proper suit, cap and goggles before we begin.   Too often a child responds with a shake of a head when asked a question accompanied by a noise that sounds like "huh" or "yeah" which I find unacceptable.   

 

But what does this have to do with swimming?

 

It is not enough to save a life from drowning.  I mean really.  We are better then that!  Water skills should be the least we can provide.  In fact there are probably many other sources like the YMCA, Boys Club, etc. who can do it much better then me. To me water is only a vehicle by which we try to get their attention, to show success, to gain trust, to show we care. 

 

But what about SWIMMING? 

 

We teach them to swim but what about making it through the day?  The parents of my swimmers work hard in their jobs and provide the best that they ca.  My swimmers must learn to cope, to thrive, to flourish.  Some kids are bilingual, some are not, but all are multicultural in a real sense of the word.  As Latino's, by definition, they are subject to the definition of others.  So they must learn about respect, how to shake hands, how to look a person in the face when being addressed. 

 

…and when they can go underwater for the first time then they can believe they can learn to memorize their time tables.  When they make it across the pool for the first time they may understand they can continue to concentrate in the class room despite understanding low expectations. 

With me they understand that I expect and receive the best they have to give. 

When I ask them to try something for the first time they know I know it is something they can do. 

So, when I ask if they are going to go to college they know it is not a question, but an expectation they can reach, a dream that can be satisfied because it is expected.  An expectation that begins by trusting they can be in the water and survive.

 

It is about swimming and it is about the truth in life.

 

 I expect them to work hard, I expect them to dream.  Dreams cannot be taken away and can begin in the water.   My swimmers must understand the importance of "please" and "thank you" and of mentors to ensure their future.  I believe it is about trusting in the very American values exhibited in each of my families, many of whom are not even from North America.  My truth is education, respect and the belief and realization of dreams.  Dreams that all begin in the water.      Nadar Por Vida –Affecting Lives One Bubble at a Time!

 

We have received our first online donation!!!!

So what is the big deal?  Well, we are happy that the system works!

Everything we do is from the contributions of time and effort of our volunteers!  Our web page is donated and personally supported by Sumie Emory & family and with her own time and effort.  So as we enter into the age of electronic contributions we continue to welcome donations of:

 

·        Gently used competitive swim suits, (practice suit, fastskin, Speedo, Nike, TYR, Dolphin, Splish, Uglie, etc.);

·        Rubber fins, shoe type;

·        Other swim equipment including pull buoys, kick boards, hand paddles, etc;

·        We have also had several student coaches and summer NVSL teams organize equipment drives, and collect monetary donations for which we are grateful!

 

We also continue to appreciate your volunteer time, to coach, to help on deck, officiate for meets, to create brochures, publicity material and all the many behind-the-scene tasks that running a non-profit corporation of this kind requires.  We really could use some professional expertise in publishing, writing and communications! Help! Help! :)

Despite the enthusiasm, the smiling faces and all of the encouragement I continually receive from the community, our volunteers and others, dollars remain important!  I believe every swimmer deserves the proper attire and equipment so funds are required to buy the suits, to rent the awesome pool, and to maintain our outreach.  In the past year many things have been accomplished and achieved.  For example we:

 

·        placed the largest amount of families, as full members, in pools affiliated with the Northern Virginia Swim League then ever before;

·        sent 3 swimmers to the University of Virginia Swim Camp to experience a college environment and a higher level of competitive swimming;

·        for the 3^rd year teamed up with the Fairfax County Parks Authority by donating suits and equipment for approximately 30 children from Bailey's Elementary School to participate in a fabulous learn to swim program;

·        provided used suits, caps and other equipment to families participating in USA Swimming's Make A Splash program;   

·        sent new and used suits together with a used but reliable timing system to an town in Maine where the average income is $15,000 per year and swim meets were started with a whistle; and

·        continue to field calls from around the country regarding our program and sharing how a "Nadar Por Vida" like effort could happen anywhere in the United States.

 

In this short time we have grown to over 50 swimmers a practice affecting almost 150 kids during the past academic year!  I am deeply grateful to the many families and friends who have encouraged me and our Board to continue our efforts.  This year we hope to expand our practice from an hour and a half to 2 full hours!  This year I will continue to travel to schools, community centers and any place in our community where we can attract kids who would otherwise not know how to swim.

 

Thanks to everyone for all you have done to get us so far in such a short time!  I am grateful to our parents of swimmers and volunteers for all they do!  Our overhead is small but our hearts are large! Help us continue to affect lives one bubble at a time as we enter into our 6th year!

 

 

 

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We don’t play basketball in street shoes…so why do we permit them to swim without a proper cap, goggles or competitive suit?

But Coach if you're worried about saving lives, what does it matter what they wear?

 

If Nadar Por Vida was just about swim lessons then I would recommend the YMCA or the local park district because they are certified swim instructors, I am not.  Other programs whose goal may be to have a previously non-swimmer, make it across the pool are needed and are different than Nadar Por Vida.  But this difference begins with my status as a certified USA Coach and my belief shared by so many USA Swimming peers, that competitive swimming in the United States can and will reflect the population of America.  And yes, to me it begins with quality equipment so that our young people look like competitive swimmers and begin to act like them.  This is not a new concept.  For example, in other sports, football helmets, baseball bats, basketball balls and shoes are gathered for kids who cannot otherwise afford to participate in the sport.  

 

Too many times I have seen minority students at high school swim team try outs show up only to be embarrassed.  They wear beach pants, or bikinis, have no goggles, no cap as the white swimmers around them seemingly parade in their expensive suits and professional gear for which our minority swimmers are unfamiliar.  It does not take long before our young minority students figure out they are in the wrong place, as they watch everyone swimming back and forth in strokes they have never seen. 

 

In the case of many of the 1^st generation, low income students, it easy to imagine that they found their way to the pool deck because they thought they could swim and it was their way to participate in their first extracurricular activity in high school.  And can imagine the conversation with their parents about swimming being a part of school activities.  So many of these kids would be expected to hold after-school jobs, or baby sit or contribute to the family in so many other ways. 

 

So can you imagine the conversation with this humiliated student when he must come back to his mother and explain why he will never be on the swim team and will probably never ask to participate in anything in high school ever again.   So can a swim suit cure all this…..NO…but it can help.  All I want to do is give these students a chance.  Proper coaching, a chance to participate in one of the greatest sports there is.  At Nadar Por Vida we believe that every swimmer deserves to have a proper suit, proper equipment, top quality coaching and a chance to find success!   We already know that swimmers have the highest grade point average compared to any other sport.  So we have a winning combination, we save a life, we introduce our students to a life long sport, we integrate them with the best students and families in America, we teach them to be confident and how to survive.   Nadar Por Vida, affecting lives a bubble at a time!   

Thank you Dr. Pamas & Holmes Middle School

 

 

21^st Century Community Learning Business Partnership Award

Presented to Arthur Lopez

In appreciation of your dedication to

Holmes MS Students and Nadar Por Vida

 

This past June, at the end of the school year, I was pleased to receive a very special plaque with the inscription described above.   A very distinguished and well respected educator, Dr. Pamas made this presentation on behalf of a very special school.  

 

Nadar Por Vida had its start with a handful of students led by a very energetic 6^th Grade Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Yolma Torres.  And from there with the enthusiastic support from the Principal of Holmes Middle School, Officer Sontheimer, the Student Resource Officer assigned to Holmes Middle School, Ms. Milan and several other Holmes Middle School Staff, our work began. 

 

Three years ago at the initiation of Dr. Pamas, and enthusiastic support and encouragement from Dr. Emory, Fairfax County Public Schools, Administrator,  Office of After-School Programs, we wrote a grant that once accepted, made Nadar Por Vida one of the 21^st Century Community Learning Center participants as an after-school program for Holmes Middle School. 

 

Through the years I have had the privilege of accepting several awards presented to me on behalf of Nadar Por Vida.  When the first award was received I was embarrassed to accept it.  I knew then as I know now that it is not my actions alone for which anything is accomplished.  With every swimsuit, every pair of goggles, we provide, every splash of water, every action I take on behalf of the program is done with the support, the time and the contribution of so many families.  I now am now more willing to accept awards in recognition of the Nadar Por Vida, even if they are in my name,  because I realize the recognition will help our program to go forward in completing our mission. 

 

I am grateful to Dr. Pamas and his students for this wonderful acknowledgement.  However, I must admit my sense of guilt.  As I looked out at the awesome student body I realized we had just touched the surface.  In so many ways I feel I have let Holmes down because we have not reached as many students as we possibly could. When I look to those faces in the student body I know I must do more to make sure these children can swim.    Dr. Pamas, thank you for the opportunity and the chance to affect more lives, a bubble at a time!!

University of Virginia Swim Camp

For the first time last year Nadar Por Vida was able send a swimmer to participate in the University of Virginia Swim Camp.  Mark Bernardino, the Nationally recognized and celebrated UVA Swim Coach understands the mission of Nadar Por VIda and has been entirely supportive.  

 

So this year I am pleased to announce on behalf of the Board of Nadar, that we will be sending THREE swimmers to UVA swim camp!  We are very excited for swimmers Kevin Romero, Marco Perdomo and Victor Celis and their families.  At the camp they will learn and practice stroke, start, and turn techniques and mechanics. The camp provides daily video sessions with immediate playback which will serve as an invaluable aid in diagnosing and dissecting each stroke. They will also learn about the scientific principles involved with swimming, weight training, nutrition, and physiology. Through generous contributions, Nadar pays for the majority of the fees leaving the balance to our families.  Without  the support of their families our swimmers would not have this opportunity!

 

By participating in the UVA swim camp we believe that our families will have the opportunity to visit a nationally recognized university.  For some, this will be the first time.  I know first hand how improtant it is to have the opportunity to see a university.  Only by being there can you truly imagine your child becoming one of the future students.  My family knew nothing of college since Mom and Dad had limited education and anything beyond high school was considered for the priviledged.  It was only after I had worked many years and made it to a university that my father and mother finally came to visit.  Dad had a difficult time taking it all in since it was just somthing beyond his everyday life and of course, alchoholism was beginning to takeover more and more of his life.  If only I had had an opportunity of this kind I wonder if it would have made a difference in my life?  

 

With the commitment of my Board and the generosity of our donors I can watch the changes happen before my eyes.  I am often asked about my schedule since it appears I am so involved.  Thanks to our swim community I have been given the best seat in the house I would not miss a minute!  I get to see the true joy of our families, of our children.   For that I remain grateful. 

 

So on Sunday we caravan to UVA, with excited hearts and great expectations.  This would never have come about if it were not for the generous generous Northern Virginia, NVSL and PVS swim families who have made this possible.  Be assured that lives are being affected here...        Thank you all!

Swim Parents and the Swim Commuity in Northern Virginia

When we started Nadar Por Vida 5 years ago, the kids and their families were our central focus.  They remain our motivation and fuel for our passion.  

Nadar has developed into a community of what I deeply believe reflects the best of our Northern Virginia community.  From the many high school and middle school volunteers coming from more than 20 schools to tend to our almost 150 swimmers reflecting over 40 Fairfax County and private schools, to the many donors from a prestigious K street international law firm, to private individuals who have been so generous.  

Unprecedented support has come from USA Swimming, and individual and organizational support from Potomac Valley Swimming, the Curl Burke Swim Club and so many, many teams and individuals of the Northern Virginia Swim League.  As a 21st Century Community Learning Business partner, as a Fairfax County Public School after-school program through Holmes Middle School and valuable partner of the Fairfax County Parks and Recreation Authority  we have tried to show we can come together for the common good.

This recesitation of participation is only a small indication of the many, many individuals and families who permit me to persue my passion.  I am selfishly grateful and am enpowered by the smiles generated as a result of the wishes of so many.  

In this initiation of my first blog it is my intention by my writings to celebrate the many stories of the lives that have been affected by the generosity of our community. 

From the watery bubbles comes a unity of purpose  and many lives to be saved.  My deepest appreciation to all those individuals who make this work possible.