Giving Back W7

The result of this project will not be as beneficial to my subculture as what I have already done for it. Writing a research paper is not going to grant anymore funding to swim teams. The only thing that will benefit from it is my grade, hopefully. I have done more for my subculture than most I know, at least in regards to the field site I am studying. I have swam, coach, officiated, guarded, and saved a dying program as I have previously stated to you. The community needs more publicity. Too often is the swimming world silenced by steroid scandal and big paychecks of other sports. This paper, unless I am mistake, will gain no publicity and will assist the community very little. The only thing that would be beneficial of the paper is my own education and furthered experience that will one day in the future have an affect on the community through my involvement. Other than what I have just stated, little will affect my subculture with the completion of this project.

Survey

http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=0v3x3zswaid7l38550027

Groundwork Activity

1. It is difficult to remember my first impression of either my high school pool or the city pool i worked at for so many years because of my intense involvement with those places since my introduction. I remember in Elementary school walking down to the pool for the swim lessons each class would take part in. I remember the humidity and heat in the locker room and how unbelievably potent the chlorine smell was. Even to this day if I haven't been around the pool for a while and walk into the pool I can smell that familiar smell and it takes me back to my first grade days. Whether this is something others experience, I am not sure. It may just be something that is instilled in me because of my passion for the people and place. My first experience with the city pool however was different. Being my first job I wasn't able to enjoy the pleasure as I was with the other pool because I wanted to make sure I was doing what I was suppose to . Now on the other hand I would love going to work and interacting with the patrons and feel extremely comfortable within the space
2. My feeling around my high school pool. At one time they were fear and nervousness, but now after my success within the sport they are confident and at times arrogant. I go back daily to coach diving and see some of the high schooler that I once swam with. I never let them forget how good I once was. Even to the point where I've been challenged to races even now after being "retired" for nearly a year, I can still get in the water and show them up. My confidence level are usually very low. I don't say much. But when I am there, it is my house and everyone knows that. I am entitled to my confidence there because people know the amount of work I put and still put into the program.
3. Its hard to talk about how I am an outsider, because I haven't been one since sixth grade. When I first joined the team I was welcome with open arms because I brought some diving talent to a team that desperately needed it. Being welcomed as such never gave me the opportunity to feel like an outcast. There have been times though when things haven't gone well between myself and the new coaching staff, and they tried to turn my own team against me. I felt like an outsider for a while simply because of the effort I had put in and to be treated that way wasn't right. Lucky others realized that I was right and the new coaching staff was wrong and sided behind me. I was an outsider for a very short time so it is difficult to explain how I felt during that short time frame.

Mini-Annotative Bib. W6

Griffith, Matthew and Walker, Joseph PhD. "Reaching a Higher Level." Aquatics International January 2009: 62-64.

• This article talks about lifeguards reaching a higher level of awareness while on duty through routine exercises than enhance their scanning abilities
• This article will come into use in my mini- ethnography during my section talking about lifeguards and the safety aspects associated with the aquatics industry. Within the article there are several quotes I plan on using in my paper

Smith, J.B. "Be Like Mike." Aquatics International January 2009: 22-24.

• This article discusses the recent media attention the field has gotten through the success of Michael Phelps. It talks a little about how the sport of swimming has changed throughout the years
• A section of my paper will cover the public perceptions of swimming and the aquatic field and parts of this article will support my stance that it is currently becoming more and more publicized

Yarger, Leland and Dalcher, Steven P. "The Instructor's Role in Aquatic Education: Some Personal Observations." International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education (2008): 266-269.

• This article, written by two BSU profs., talks about the importance of facility management as well as the different techniques used to manage aquatics settings. It discusses methods that in the authors eyes are incorrect and methods that should be used in order to benefit the facility which will in turn benefit the patrons
• A large section of my paper will cover the managerial aspects of the aquatic industry. Considering Ball State is the leader inh aquatic education it is only fitting that I cite information from two of the industries leaders in regards to how to lead a facility

Focal Point

One of the main focal point of my field site, a pool, would be...well the pool. The actual pool, the hole with the water in it. Not the room, not the deck, nor the stands, but the actual pool. Blue walls and floors with black lane lines running throughout its length. The cool water splashing over the gutter. The reflection of the sunlight that is cast throughout the room. 4 feet to 12 feet. 25 yards long. Home in a way. This is where the winners win and the losers lose. Dreams are made and broken. The place where you practice at 5 in the morning. A place you hate, yet love.

There is no question that my perspectives influence the way I see my site. I have spent so much time there and know every piece of it. I painted the walls and the floor two years ago. My signature is on that thing...No seriously 12 feet down on the bottom near the drain is my signature. I look at the pool, like a said before, as both heaven and hell. There have been days I hated getting in that water, but for the most part I love it. I'm sure my perspectives would differ from that of a football player, who would probably consider a pool nothing more than "big hole with water inside"...sorry to demean any football players out there. No one knows my field site better than I do.

Fall Break

Every year for Fall Break my entire family goes to Gatlinburg, TN for three or four days. Usually we rent a cabin up in the mountains and stay there. No matter where we stay or what happens during the day there are always some things that remain constant. For example, during the drive down to Tennessee it always seems to be cold in the morning so you usually start off with a sweatshirt but as the day goes on around noon, somewhere in Kentucky, the sun begins to shine through the window and you get that really warm feeling; not an uncomfortable one but just that soothing warming feeling. Feeling the pressure in your ears as you drive up the mountain is another common feeling due to the increasing altitude. When we arrive there is always a smell of firewood and trees. Maybe its being at a higher altitude but its like taking fall and turning it into a smell and that's what you have. Somewhat damp leaves on the ground. Each cabin smelling rustic and different from the one you were at before. Usually in the mornings my grandparents have coffee brewing which sends an aroma through the cabin that gently awakens everyone. In the evenings the crackling of burning firewood can be heard. Out on the deck the floor boards vibrate from the nearby hot tube that is circulating. The gentle smell of chlorine resonating from it. And after all of this rest and relaxation we head home. Meeting the local people whose job it is to entertain the tourists, who all seem to be nicer than anyone you've ever met before. Usually the last day is a quite one. First we all stop at the traditional pancake place for breakfast then begin the long drive home.

Week 5: Staying on Task?

In response to staying on task, I'm not sure how I could get off task or forget about doing things for my subculture considering I write about it nearly every day. I'm not the type of writer that writes a bunch of nonsense ahead of time in hopes it will make my paper better, but unfortunately that is what I'm constantly being asked to do so I'll just have to accept it.

Here's my plan: Read some journals, talk to some people, write my paper. I know that probably isn't what a professor is wanting to hear but that's what works for me. My reasons for not doing further research is because I probably already know that stuff. Yes, their are some things I need to research more (i.e. maintenance of pools, budgeting, etc.) but these questions will be answered in my interviews, which I've stated before.

When I'm at my field site I am working. I am coaching and am very involved in the community of swimming (which I've stated before). I go to meets, interact with athletes and other coaches, and observe things I've been observing for years. None of this is new to me and that may be where my hostility is coming from considering I'm sick of taking time to repeat myself over and over and over again when I could be researching. So I'm not so sure if the question is whether we're on task or not, its whether the task we've been stuck on is the correct one... Wow I feel better for venting now. I really just need to conduct my interviews, compile my research and knowledge and sit down and write this paper.

Revisited

The pool, your breath is taken away by the strong aroma of chlorine.
The humidity against your skin as though your in a tropical paradise.
The cool dampness of the tile deck against bare feet
The refraction of light and water dancing on the wall.
The splashing of swimmers arms as the exit then reenter the water over and over again.
The loud explosive sound made by the diving board as divers practice for their next competition
The muffle of the crowd
The nervous anticipation in the pit of your stomach
The event is announced and your name is called
The climb onto the starting block
The official says take your mark
The buzzer sounds
And you swim as though there's no tomorrow

Dog Town and Z-Boys: The Birth of Extreme

Notes:

• Considered by insiders to be a "revolution"
• Passion for skating, not for fame
• Dog town was dirty, filthy place, yet considered to be paradise to insiders
• Inhabited by surfers
• Surf Shop opened creating a unique style and a one of the kind shop
• Jeff Ho- surfer board maker, pushed the limits to surf board technology. Personalized surf boards.
• Zephyr Surf Team- rebels to the sport. Boards were different and styles were different
• Venice, California- amusement on the water, became condemn and fell apart. Affected the community.
• Insiders were very wary of outsiders. Not allowed in. Zephyr team put on a pedestal within the community. Provided a place to go for kid who didn't have anything else.
• Served as its own little community
• Skate boards formed out of surf boards with wheel and for land.
• Skate boarding disappeared in the '65, became unpopular
• Urethane wheel allowed skaters more options
• The surfers of Zephyr turned into skaters when waves stopped.
• Local school were built with asphalt embankments that provided great location for skaters
• In the eyes of the skaters, "style" was the most important thing. All possessed surf styles but all brought different styles
• Due to Californian drought in the 70s many pools were not filled with water, providing great location for skaters

Response to questions:

1. I feel this is an ethnography as well as a piece of entertainment, because it describes the rituals, customs, beliefs, and habits of this unique group of people but at the same time provides it in an interesting format
2. The people interviewed were those who this subculture is about directly. These people are more creditable than any others considering they made the subculture
3. The ideals they all share about surfing and skating. They're passion for the sport as well as the importance in their minds of everyone bringing their own style. Not only did they participate in the sport they also produced things for the sport. For example new kinds of technology the evolved the subculture
4. The piece is set up chronologically from the origins of the group to their prime. Also prior to doing either of these the viewer is introduced to the subcultural site. All of which is an effect way to inform the viewer of necessary information
5. I really didn't have any foregone stereotypes about these skaters. Skater in general (or at least those of the Midwest) tend to appear all the same. Baggy close into drugs but these skaters are the real deal and any preemptive stereotype is null and void since they invented the subculture of people
6. Ethos-I trust what I'm being told. All of the info seems accurate and not contradictory. Pathos- doesn't really give me an emotional response. Logos- discussed above

More Wonderful Stuff About My Subculture

As of right now I can make many conclusions about my subculture since I have been involved in the community of swimming for so many years. For example I can conclude that many of my interviews will be impersonal and on friendly level. I can also conclude many of the rules and dialect that take place in the swimming world. I can make numerous conclusions about a variety of things but list all of them at this point in time would make my final paper pointless.

In response to whether or not my subculture will differ depending on location; it will not. Maybe if I traveled to the other side of the country but pretty much anything that goes on at my cultural site will be the same thing that is going on at most other pools. The people will hold similar positions and act according knowing the rules and expectations placed upon them. Most pools in the Midwestern United States and the rest of the country will share similar rituals and customs.

Privileges

Privileges I have:
-American- more freedom than other countries
-Male- historical superiority to other genders
-Young Adult
-White- historical superiority to other races. Unfortunately historical oppression of others too
-Middle Class- not much of a privilege in today's society
-Mid-West
-Freedom of speech, religion, etc.
-College Student- Higher education
-High School Grad
-Former Athlete
-Coach
-Family support


In Relation to my Subculture:
The Aquatic world shares many of the same characteristics that I possess. For example many of the leading people in the field share similar fixed positions as my own. Many are white. it is rare to see a black swim coach or aquatic director though it is common that the majority are white. Gender really doesn't matter in the aquatic world. Both male and females can achieve equally success. Being a young adult has both its pros and its cons in respect to the field. Entering the field at a young age is beneficial for the future but is difficult in the beginning. The typical age range can be between 20 an 60. It covers a wide range of ages. Regional and religious view have no correlation with my subculture. My background within the field, swimming, diving, coaching, officiating, etc, is an advantage because many in the field will lack the certifications and experiences that I possess.