The WOMEN FIRST SWIM PROGRAM is open to women of all ages and focuses on efficiency, drills, endurance and some open water skills to help better prepare women for their first triathlon or open water swim.
Every so often we like to spotlight a mermaid that demonstrates the qualities that Women First Swimming likes to promote: positive attitude, dedication, hard work and team spirit.
Our current Mermaid Spotlight profile is Lisa Paulson, who also won the rookie attendance award for the Winter session. The coaches agreed that Lisa showed a great attitude throughout the winter program, which is especially impressive considering her fears of joining the group and being too “beginner”.
Coach Lisa went out on a limb to get veteran mermaid Wendy Besterman to share her story about being in the beginner lanes at Women First Swimming, and convinced Lisa Paulson to put both arms forward in the pool. The fact that Lisa didn’t miss a sessional all winter and has since recruited other friends to the spring program is testimony enough that she’s hooked on swimming with her fellow mermaids.
The Danskin Austin Triathlon is more than a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile Bike and a 3.1 mile Run. For many women it’s the accomplishment of a fitness goal they’d never thought they’d achieve; for others it’s a celebration of life after a cancer diagnosis. For athletes and their fans alike it’s an undeniable touching and motivating event.
Over the past five years I’ve been a participant, coach and cheerleader and the impression I always get is how encouraging everyone is…you constantly hear “you go girl!” and see high fives along the race course. I never knew such camaraderie could exist under the guise of competition. Some women enter to break records but for the rest of us it’s a chance to get together with 3,000 of our closest gal-pals and do something we’d never thought possible.
I hope you enjoy my attempt at capturing the beautiful spirit of these women athletes through video and photography. And if you look closely, you’ll spot many Mermaids!
Many of you should be happy to hear the fall/winter Women First Swim program is open for registration and includes a later 8:30 a.m. start time!!
We’ll have the trio of Lisa’s Angel back: coach Sara Robertson, coach Gracie Alvarado, guard Michelle Zamora, plus other guards and guest coaches for a 10 week program meeting once a week on Saturdays from November 10 through January 19, with a break during Thanksgiving on November 24.
10 WEEKLY CLASSES: Saturdays Nov 10-Jan 19, no class Nov 24
WHEN:8:30-9:30 AM
WHERE: Balcones Pool located at 12012 Amherst Dr in Northwest Austin, a little north up Mopac off Duval.
-cooler temps
-no traffic
-you’ll be ready to start your weekend with a great workout already under your belt
-since you had a great workout, you can begin the weekend eating breakfast tacos guilt-free
-it’s better than starting at 7am
Feel free to add your own reasons in the comments section.
Don’t forget we swim at the Balcones Neighborhood pool at Duval and Amherst. Please show up before 8am so we’re in the pool on time. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
