Swim Charleston creates dryland practice routine in parking lot

One Charleston-area youth sports program discovered a unique way of practicing under COVID-19 restrictions by utilizing a Daniel Island parking lot.

 

Swim Charleston, a nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to developing swimmers and empowering them to lead, transformed the Benefitfocus parking lot at 100 Benefitfocus Way into a practice space for offseason, out-of-water training during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group used the facility from mid-May until the end of July. 

 

Similar to many amateur and professional sports programs across the country, Swim Charleston has operated from a bubble-like format at Benefitfocus. Practices are structured to encourage team-building exercises in a socially-distanced manner. Each teammate is distanced two to three parking spots apart to encourage safety from the coronavirus. 

 

“It’s a self-contained safe space, which is amazing for our coaches. We can have eyes on everybody, and we’re able to maintain social distance,” said Cathy Sheafor, founder and head coach of the team.

 

The purpose of the venture was to secure safe space to practice biking and running skills that are critical to building the skill set base for the club’s young swimmers. The parking lot is ideal because it provides space for rigorous running and cycling exercises. 

 

Exercises are divided into two categories according to age groups. The younger group is taught beginner-level concepts, while the older group’s session includes more dynamic and longer exercises. Regardless, the goal remains the same at the end of the day.

 

“One of the things that is really important for all athletes is to develop patterns of movement, and that creates an opportunity for muscle memory to be built. You don’t want to lose your form in the water,” Sheafor said. 

 

The summer training session had many benefits, said Sheafor. “This is a perfect opportunity for us to incorporate some character lessons and physical education.”

 

Sheafor said that the club recently adopted a new triathlon program, the Charleston Youth Triathlon Club. Following the move, her organization was then approached by the United States Triathlon (USAT) to become part of a select status that only includes 10 clubs across the nation. 

 

The team planned to return to the Benefitfocus parking lot on Sept. 1 to continue the unique training sessions, followed by a Sept. 8 return to Pierce Park pool, allowing the team to finally return to the water for practice.  

 

Due to the pandemic, Sheafor said that Swim Charleston wouldn’t likely be able to participate in any nationally-sanctioned events anytime soon, but she plans to host intrasquad competition this fall for her athletes. 

 

Swim Charleston has based its operations on the island since 2017, when the Daniel Island Property Owners’ Association granted them the access to use the pool. 

 

Along with partnerships with Benefitfocus and the POA, Sheafor estimates that 40% to 60% of the team’s swimmers are island residents. 

 

“The Daniel Island community has been key to our existence from the onset,” Sheafor said.