FAST track to swim success
Published Tuesday June 30th, 2009
Belsh | Swim coach completes successful first season on the deck with local club
Do you ever have those days when you think you work too hard? Your hours are too long? You're just physically drained? Think again.
Marta Belsh often logs more than 100 hours a week in her role as head coach of the Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Team (FAST.)
That's not a typo. You read that right - 100 hours a week. Coupled with having a husband and daughters six and 10 years old, it doesn't leave much time for anything else in her life, especially since the Aquanauts' season runs eleven months a year -- twelve if you count the upcoming Canada Games and competition at the national championships.
"I'm very busy, but they are a very great group of kids," said Belsh. "They make me a better person and it's a pleasure to be there. It makes it easier to get up at 5 a.m. four times a week and come to practice. I'm very fortunate to be able to help others and do what I love to do."
The 36-year-old Belsh began swimming in her native Poland when she was just six years old. Her love of the sport was immediate and fueled her success in and out of the pool. She rose to the top of Poland's amateur swim program to represent her country internationally and later excelled in the classroom, completing a Masters degree in athletic administration.
She came to Canada from Poland 15 years ago, and she and her family came from Barrie, Ont. to Fredericton last August.
It was a good move.
"Marta Belsh is the real deal," said outgoing FAST president, Michel Losier. "FAST and the city of Fredericton are fortunate to have her here with us. She makes positive things happen around her and she is a force to be reckoned with in the swimming world."
Membership in the FAST programs swelled from 100 at the beginning of the year to as many as 160 in the competitive and non-competitive programs. At least four members from the competitive program -- Danielle Losier, Monica MacDonald, Kaitlyn Young and Dylan Bartlett -- will be part of the New Brunswick Canada Games team this summer. Five when you include Belsh, who has been named an assistant coach.
"Danielle, Monica, Kaitlyn and Dylan personify the success of our program and what our program is about," said Belsh. "Personal discipline, a strong work ethic, time management - building the person as well as the swimmer - they represent what we are trying to achieve in our kids: building good routines and life skills first to get an individual ready to achieve success in and out of the pool. I feel like I am a friend, parent and coach - everything in one - to these kids, so it feels great to see them succeed and do well."
Four more male swimmers remain to be named and Belsh expects competition this week to shore up those positions - and more possible spots for FAST members.
There's considerable sacrifice involved.
Senior swimmers (those who have five years or more experience) swim between 30 and 50 kilometers per week at the Sir Max Aitken Pool. Training consists of 12 and-a-half hours in the pool and three hours of dry land training (weights, running, etc.).
One hundred hours a week or not, Belsh doesn't consider it work.
"I always wanted to be a coach, swimming has been a part of my life since I was very young," she said. "I wouldn't want to do anything else, regardless of the number of hours. All my life's stress is left behind when I am on the pool deck with the kids."
Belsh said the club exceeded all its goals in her first year as head coach.
"We've had so many successes this year," she said.
She said the standing ovation she received from the parents, executive and the swimmers at the club's recent year-end banquet were a highlight for her.
"(It) makes all my efforts, all the hard work we did as a group, worthwhile. It makes me want to do more for these kids and it will stay with me for my lifetime."
Kids like 17-year-old Jon Reid, who was named the most improved swimmer in the club this season; and 14-year-old Alex Horwood and Lauren Adam, the top male and female swimmers in the 13-14 year-old age group absorbed the lessons.
"I worked very hard this year," said Reid, who is heading into grade 11 at Oromocto High this fall. "I had an amazing year, but it was not without sacrifice and hard work. I learned lessons from the pool that apply to life: determination, the value of hard work, focusing on my goals. Mainly I learned respect for my parents and for those around me."
"The practices are harder since coach Belsh arrived, but it's made me much better in the pool and at school and I can see the hard work has paid off," said Horwood. "It makes all the effort and sacrifice worth it."
The routine can be demanding, and "sometimes you do get tired and unmotivated," admitted Adam. "Practice nine times a week can be hectic, but coach Belsh makes it fun. She's funny and energetic. She's helped me a lot."
Losier said FAST is in good shape, thanks in large part to Belsh.
"FAST worked hand in hand with Marta this year to create a positive spirit that was reflected throughout the program, " said Losier.
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