Swimrva

So after three and a ½ decades (you do the math) I am finally taking the dive and learning how to survive it!!! Momma I’m going to swim! After years of being banned from the pool… let me tell you… the myth is true, many black girls don’t know how to swim because of fear of wetting the hair. who knew? :) Anywho… now that I do my own hair. so I’m not adding undo stress on my mother, I am finally working toward achieving another goal. In only three class sessions… SWIMRVA has taken me to new heights and «lows» in the water than I’ve ever been. I’m definitely not swimming yet, but I’m sort of moving from point A to point B and that’s a major step. I’ve also put my head under water and stayed there for a few seconds while blowing bubbles. Another major step as i’ve never… rarely ever… that I can remember… put my head under water without an intentional hair washing session. True Story! Any who I’m learning a lot and pretty soon I’ll be working to accomplish my next goal… participate in a Triathlon. The prices for lessons aren’t bad at all. The people are encouraging, knowledgeable, and patient. Would I prefer to learn how to swim in my own pool by myself… ABSOLUTELY. Nothing like seeing a grown person in the pool struggling beside a child who’s barely been in this world dare deviling in the water. Yes, there is some form of humiliation there, but it quickly dissolves as you start to focus on your goal and recognize you will soon be in the other 50^th percentile of folks who DO know how to swim. C’est la vie to that other ½ percent.

Those outside the sport of swimming may have never given thought to what became of the Myrtha Pool used in the 2008 Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha NE. This is a pool that garnered 9 world records just a head of the Bejing Olympics, where Michael Phelps got his historic 8 gold medals. Those outside the sport possibly never gave a thought that a pool could even be disassembled, trucked across the country and put back together again for competition.
Let me assure you that community leaders in the Richmond area had a plan for this historic tub. A plan that would end up having an incredible price tag of 22 million. This facility would host world class swimming competitions and bring awareness to water safety in the Greater Richmond area. The pool’s physical location would be in Chesterfield Co. in Ukrops Park. The naming rights would go to Collegiate School, a private school in Richmond acquired major funding for the venture. However, it is the Ukrop family who provided the major funding, and land that the CSAC would eventually set on to make this all a reality. The USA club team Poseidon Swimming host meets and practices out of the aquatic center. Poseidon with it’s significant fund raising was considered serious player in making this dream come true for not only for Richmond, but for Virginia.
The plan that had been agonized over a four year time frame became a reality March 13, 2012. This spectacular swimming facility boost an eight lane 50 meter pool which is the olympic trials structure. Not to be left out an 8 lane 25 yd warm up/​cool down pool for competition and a warm therapy pool.
Spectators are not left out in the 7,000 sq ft mezzanine that can hold up to 700 fans. Parking is plentiful all around the building. Even new exit ramps off the highway were installed to make it easy to access the CSAC.
This aquatic facility is a shining example of a dream one community had to bring not only world class competition to Virginia, but also the awareness and importance of water safety. The presence and prestige of a pool of this stature is a tremendous economic boom for the Richmond area too. The GRAP Greater Richmond Aquatic Partnership manages the pool. Memberships are available to those in the community. Check out the pics of construction of this awesome pool at:
If you are ever in this area and want to pop in to check it out a special tour can be provided, however calling ahead would be a recommended.