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Thunderbolt Swimming is a competitive swim team
committed to athletic excellence. Dedication, determination,
and persistence are the choices we expect of an individual.
These choices may produce an Olympic Champion. These choices will
produce champions in life.
Serving Washington County since 1957, Thunderbolt Swimming
(THSC) is one of the oldest programs in the Tualatin Hills Park and
Recreation District (THPRD). With 200-250 participating swimmers
each year, THSC is the largest swim club in Oregon, and one of the
largest and most successful in the Northwest. Open to swimmers ages
4 and older, THSC draws top swimmers from throughout the Greater
Portland area. Swimmers compete at local, regional, national and
international levels. THSC alumni include several Olympians and
numerous NCAA competitors. THSC is proud to have achieved a
national reputation and ranking while remaining one of the largest
public swim clubs in the United States.
Thunderbolt Swimming fosters the growth and development of the
community youth in a competitive swimming environment by promoting
valuable life long skills. THSC is a nonprofit, tax-exempt member
of USA Swimming and Oregon Swimming Inc., and is administered by a
voluntary Board of Directors elected by the parents of the
swimmers.
THSC provides an environment in which swimmers of all levels
may develop to their fullest, whether they are beginners or world
class athletes. This process of development and achievement is
designed to carry over into personal development outside swimming.
Age-group competitive swimming offers an exciting and worthwhile
experience in a young person's life. It can be learned and enjoyed
by those with very little natural ability, as well as those who are
of Olympic caliber, and its values go far beyond that of learning
efficiency in the water.
It
should be understood that not every child can become a world class
swimmer. However, if the program is well planned and directed, the
participants will gain from the experience whether or not they ever
win a single race. Trophies, medals, and records run a poor second
when compared to the aforementioned objectives; in many respects,
age group swimming is a preparation for life. The hardest worker in
the pool does not always win the race, just as the most studious
person does not necessarily receive the highest grade nor the
hardest worker in a shop earn the most money. All athletes will
learn, however, that to reach their potential, they must apply
themselves and work diligently, consistently and conscientiously.
This lesson will be of immeasurable worth, not only in each
athlete's swimming career, but in achieving goals throughout
his/her life.
It
is a basic assumption that for an age-group competitive program to
succeed, it must encompass and challenge all who participate, as
well as follow a continuous developmental progression. Children
should be exposed to water as soon as possible so as to learn the
feel of movement through it much the same as they sense movement
and balance out of the water. Since their water sense can only come
through continued and constant exposure to water, emphasis is
placed on teaching different methods of moving through water, with
each succeeding step bringing about an increased sophistication in
stroke technique.
At
THSC, swimmers are grouped by ability and age with the youngest and
the least experienced swimmers practicing two to three times per
week and the senior swimmers practicing nine or more times per
week. Work out schedules and squad placements are determined by the
coaching staff.
Coaching of the new and/or very young swimmer is oriented
towards the development of swimming basics, including the four
strokes, turns, and starts. Early development of the competitive
swimmer will emphasize enjoyment of the sport. Work on technique
will be balanced with a certain amount of fun and
games.
The more experienced swimmer is exposed to coaching which is
oriented towards increased conditioning and advanced training
concepts including mental preparation and nutrition. During the
early season, emphasis is placed on technique with a gradual shift
to conditioning training as the season
progresses.
The Senior Squads, which are the highest level, are composed of
swimmers who have intensively trained for many years. They have
made a commitment to become top-flight swimmers. They train for
three to five hours daily, and combine dryland training, swimming,
and other aspects necessary for competition at the national
level.
THSC coaching staff is composed of people with professional
training, dedication to swimming, a continuing desire to learn, and
a great deal of enthusiasm. The coaching staff's experience and
past performance demonstrate their expertise. Past performance
include World Record holders, Olympic and National Team members,
along with numerous state and national record
holders.
The development of swimmers as competitors comes from the
growth and maturation of an individual through discipline, hard
work, trial and error, success and failure. It is important to
realize that while swimming can be a small world, it must be only a
part of an individual's life. The most successful swimmers have a
good deal of positive support from parents, who realize that
swimming is only a complement to the development of their child and
not the child's only reason for existing. The experience of
swimming can be most beneficial only if the goal setting is that of
the swimmer and not of the parent. It is from this perspective that
the most lasting value is realized from the THSC program. Viewed in
this respect, swimming can be an enjoyable sport that is both
exciting and useful.
THSC will promote conditioning, nutrition, and good health as
lifetime priorities. THSC enables team members to attain personal
goals and to contribute to team goals. THSC is the premier age
group and senior program in the Northwest. The long-term goal is to
be the top program in United States Swimming and to attain
international recognition.
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