Growing Pains & Gains

Starting a new business is not easy. Starting a new business with no money might even prove more difficult. Starting a business with no money that happens to be a swim club in a state that embraces the sport about as warmly as you'd smooch a venomous, saw-scaled African viper could prove fatal.

But if you have a mission and you're prepared to go to whatever lengths to see that mission through, maybe there is enough "gusto gusto" in your heart and willingness to see it through. Only time will tell, but thus far, RACE SWAMI—with the little $$ we have—has kept the pedal to the medal and we're getting through some pains to be sure.

Swim coaches, as a whole, are not paid so well in Utah. We can see why. With lane rental fees costing many a body part, it's no wonder by the time you pay the piper there isn't much left to pay these hard working do-gooders. Unlike other states, where the sport of swimming holds some value, Utah tends to look at the sport as if it were that smelly uncle of yours who you pretend to tolerate, but would rather not associate yourself with if at all possible. Swimming is not at the bottom of the totem pole in this state, it's part of the foundation you pour into the ground 6 feet deep in order to support the totem pole. It's not a popular sport. And it's certainly not a viable venture as a business...

Yet we press forward. I must say, I have immense respect for all the swim clubs in this state who have shown longevity, growth and "stick-it-to-it-ness" because I think I could think of about 153 (you know, just off the top of my head) better business ventures to get into before I'd think about starting up a swim club in Utah in order to "make a living."

But we're not whining here, mind you... because if it's money you're seeking in this profession: probably not a good thing to do. No... this is purely for the foresight of trying to do something for a community that we strongly believe NEEDS this club in THIS specific community at THIS very time.

With all kinds of media hub-bub reminding us how "unhealthy" the citizens of Rose Park are, it's high time we show them what kind of people live here. The way the newspaper writers portray it, you half expect to see everyone walking around with a Twinkie in one hand and four Corn Dogs from Maverik's in the other (and a few Ding-Dong foil wrappers coming out your shirt pocket for good measure). Ok, we heard it. We realize we're a bunch of fatties... Now let's get over it and embrace some of the good that goes on here... like the fact that people are really pumped about the Northwest Rec facility and membership is off the charts. Or the fact that people in this community are genuine... and that gun fire does not actually crisscross every street or boulevard as you drive through it. It's a close-knit part of town; people don't scream at you at the stop light when your mind happens to wander into la-la land; people do still say hello--maybe in an array of different languages--but they still say hi. (And I love the fact hello is said in array of these different languages—it reminds you that Utah isn't all lily-white.) People willing to help others and not expect a live-feed Good-Deed Award Night because of it... It just seems old school here in Rose Park. Like a totally different vibe than when you're wandering down a random street in, say, Sugar House.

We have a clinic coming up mighty soon. Next week, in fact. Three days worth. We have no idea what will happen... we have only one youngster signed up. That kid might get more love than he's ever gotten in anything he's ever endeavored to participate in. This could bode well for both parties.

We have Amelia, Autumn, Motley!, and Peyton ready to help the coaches on the deck. Conceivably, that kid will have 7 people helping him fall in love with a great sport. Basketball is great, don't get me wrong. It's popular on this side of town. Soccer is even bigger! While we're training in the beautiful blue-azure puddle of Northwest, right outside our window is a vast green field there is a ton of Latino soccer aficionados dribbling, bouncing and booting a multiple and endless reservoir of soccer balls any chance they get (read: weather-friendly spring Utah Day—which doesn't happen often). Yes... soccer in Rose Park is King. We hope swimming might indeed catch fire here as well; the way it did in Inner-Philly or in South Chicago. Stranger things can happen.

So another week of training at RACE SWAMI is in the books. Another week we get the better of "no funds." And as the week comes to a close, we're happy to report on a few things: Our paperwork for the IRS (for non-profit status) is all but complete. And we had an angel donor drop from the sky and give us $1,000.00 to pick our spirits up... An amazing gesture from a good family to be sure. And so, RACE SWAMI plugs on. Meets like OTAC and SYAC are on the horizon as the long course season opens it's doors to a short but fruitful season. It should be a great few months—eventful, trying and ominous to be sure—but fruitful nonetheless. For, how does one seriously find out who one truly is but when they are faced with the firing squad of life staring them down a barrel?

Yes, harsh these months will be; but we'll surely be ready for it, wearing a smile—and purpose. There is much to do.