It’s funny that I just heard about this swimmer in today’s climate. Last year when reporters referred to youngster Lia Neal as swimming’s Tigress Woods, it was a compliment. She was loathe to accept the comparison last year; I’m sure she wouldn’t want to be near that label with a 10 foot pole this year.

Being part Black and part Chinese was one similarity. The other was excellence in sports. Get this: Lia Neal qualified for the Olympic trials as a 12 year old!

She was 13 by the time the trials rolled around, and she went for it. She finished 28th in the 50 free, and 78th in the 100 free. Not quite good enough to make the team, but time is definitely something on her side now.

I can hardly believe that this young girl is the same age as my son who quit swimming! I shudder to think what I’d have on my hands if he had Lia Neal’s passion. Another random similarity? They’re both learning Chinese.

I was starting to feel like a stalker writing so much about Cullen Jones. But he was the only renowned swimmer of color that is still active in the sport. (that’s not including the open water swimmer Charles Tuna Chapman). I’m so excited to find another swimmer to follow.

Dara Torres ended up going to the Olympics instead of Lia Neal, by the way. I think Neal has many years to catch up with her.

null

null

I remember sludging through the snow to get to swim meets. We’d bundle up to deal with the arctic temperatures outdoors, only to get to the heated natatoriums with our hands full of coats and boots. We, the family, would be sweating and miserable, while our children, the swimmers, were freezing for most of the meet.

We decided not to have our younger children do winter swimming for this reason.

But I have a theory about winter swimming, from personal experience. It makes you heartier. My older children rarely catch cold. I think it could have to do with swimming through the winter, getting strong lungs, and then dealing with the cold after having gotten wet. I used to catch colds that lasted for months. Since I’ve been swimming year round, a cold doesn’t have a chance. Killed by the chlorine. Score!

Of course, non of this is scientific. I found a study that says that while moderate exercise boosts immunity, extreme exercise is worse for the immune system than a sedentary lifestyle. If you couple that with the long held assumption that swimming is a very low-impact exercise, then you have your immune system building moderate workout.

Is my logic flawed? Does anyone have any proof of my claims? Any opinions?

As the year winds down, people take stock of the old year and resolve to do better in the New Year. Why not pick learning to swim as a New Year’s Resolution. Here are 10 reasons to learn to swim:

1. It could save your life. This is true in more than one way. Not only is swimming a life skill, but it is great for healthy lungs, heart, and body.

2. It is great exercise. See above

3. It builds your confidence. There is nothing like setting and achieving goals to boost your confidence!

4. It makes you smarter. I’m not sure why, but maybe it has something to do with confidence. Maybe it has something to do with order, pattern recognition, etc.

5. It is fun. Maybe addictive is a better word. Maybe intoxicating. . .

6. It will free you. Never again will you fear deep water.

7. It is low impact exercise. Blow out your knees playing basketball? Swim!

8. It is aerobic, anaerobic, therapeutic, and flexible all at the same time.

9. You might sweat, but you’re still clean when you’re finished!

10. It will give you a good night’s sleep!

Here’s the last in a series. How’s that for completion?