Sunday, January 06, 2008 Vissa holds stroke clinic; fires back at Pasa coach
AIMING to strengthen the development of local talents, the Visayas Inter-School Swimming Association (Vissa) invited an American swimming expert to show the members the proper execution of strokes.
Larry Harmon, a specialist in stroke work technique, was invited after the holidays to teach swimmers and coaches from Vissa members University of San Carlos (USC), Ma. Montessori International School, University of San Jose-Recoletos and Talisay City in a three-day event at the Montebello Hotel, Cebu City Sports Center and USC pools the correct execution of swim strokes.
Among those who attended the stroke clinic were coaches Benjo Gimenez, Ronald Manlosa, Pio Solon, Lohriz Echavez, Bas Ceballos, Tito Bonilla, Rolando Sanchez and Rolan Remolino.
Harmon is a Santa Clara, California coach who started swimming at five. He started his coaching career when he was 17 and became a head coach of the Newark Swim Club at 19. He also became the head coach of the decathlon Club.
“You don’t allow swimmers to do lap swimming unless they have the correct stroke down,” was Harmon’s philosophy.
“Coach Harmon also, believes in quality over quantity, a belief that is shared by VISSA,” said Ceballos.
Meanwhile, Vissa officials clarified the allegations pertaining to the goals of the organization.
“Contrary to statements of some concerned individuals, Vissa organizers do not hold any personal interest except to provide our swimmers with quality and effective training, build a new swimming community with a strong family atmosphere where kids are nurtured with good moral values and development of strong personalities,” Vissa said in a statement.
Vissa took offense in a statement made by Rolando Alvarez last Jan. 1 after Alvarez, the lone Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (Pasa) accredited coach in Cebu asked his fellow coaches to enlist with Pasa, in order for Cebuano swimmers to have higher chances of making it in the nationals.
Alvarez also said coaches need to set aside personal interest and swim for the athletes because in the end it is not the coaches that suffer but the athletes.
Ceballos, who is an official of Vissa, said they do not have any financial interest in the organization, “Swimmers do not pay for anything. Schools pay membership fees of P200, which is lifetime,” he said.
Vissa also clarified that they are not hindrances to the betterment of their athletes.
“Our guidelines state that upon completion of a six-month competition, the technical committee will then choose eight highly-qualified swimmers and with the consent of the parents and coaches, Vissa will train them under competent coaches free of charge for a period of four months to prepare them for the Palarong Pambansa,” Ceballos said.
Vissa also doesn’t bar the possibility of its swimmers signing up with Pasa.
Vissa guidelines states, “For those who qualify for the Palarong Pambansa and have the potential to qualify for the national try out of Pasa, the swimmers will be registered with Pasa, including the coach and its organization. All fees and other expenses will be shouldered by VISSA.”
“We are not a hindrance to the development of members swimmers. We are in fact training them scientifically to improve their personal best not only to qualify for the national tryout but to qualify for the national pool and eventually become members of the national team,” the statement said. (MCB)
