To Get Respect What Do You Have To Give? Growing up, my dad instilled in me a simple but powerful truth passed down from his college coach: "To get respect, you have to give respect." Something I always knew is how much my dad respected his coach Doc Counsilman from Indiana University. He spoke so highly of Doc and as a small child I remember meeti...
"I was afraid of the water for as long as I can remember. I just knew I would sink to the bottom and not be able to come up for air. Now I understand how wrong that was!" Every year as the weather heats up, people in north Texas head to our numerous lakes, rivers and pools. Yet the unfortunate truth is that many of them do not know the basic swimmi...
It is hard to believe that 9 years ago we opened our doors with around 7 students enrolled in our program! That first day here at JMSS was magical and over the next few months it was clear to us that the Dallas community and our surrounding neighborhoods were showing up for us. When people ask what contributed to our success I always make it a poin...
For many adults, finding the perfect blend of fitness, community, and personal growth can feel like a challenge. Enter Masters swimming—a program designed for swimmers aged 18 and older, catering to all skill levels. Whether you're an experienced swimmer or just dipping your toes back into the pool after years away, joining a Masters swim team offe...
The holiday season is the perfect time to give meaningful gifts that can have a lasting impact, and one of the most valuable gifts you can give is swim lessons. Whether for a young child, a teenager, or even an adult, swim lessons offer a unique blend of fun, fitness, and essential lifesaving skills that make it a gift worth giving. Here are t...
Swimming is one of the world's biggest sports and has had a lot of recognition in the Olympic games in recent years. Did you know any of these fun swimming related facts? Check them out and let us know which one blew you away!
JMSS friends and family, we wanted to share something special with you all. Coach Jim wrote an article for Texas Lonestar Masters back in the day where he reminisces about his experience at the 1976 Olympic Games. It's a fascinating read that offers a unique perspective on one of the most memorable times in his life. In 1976, Jim was the fastest man in the world and he broke the 50 second barrier in the 100 meter freestyle event. We hope you enjoy this throwback into a gold winning moment.
Backyard pools are a great way to unwind and relax with loved ones but can pose risks when rules aren't followed. Here are the essentials keep your family safe while having a blast around the water.
Our heated indoor pools provide the perfect environment for year round lessons. Keeping skills up, working towards being water safe(r) and maintaining a child's bond with their instructor and the facility is important for success. Swimming isn't just a sport, it contributes to positive social, emotional, and cognitive development. We recommend maintenance lessons year round to keep your kiddos swimming safely and confidently.
Teamwork makes the dream work: My dream of owning a swim school began in 2006 when I attended the United States Swimming School Association national conference, I was blown away with the commitment and professionalism the organization and its member schools displayed. From there I spent the better part of a week traveling around Arizona and California checking out the top swim schools in the industry. Then came the hard part, renovating or building a teaching pool that made economic sense in a good location. I spent years looking at possible sites until one day in the spring of 2015...
The JMSS System and Why it Works: Our teaching philosophy at JMSS is each child is different and each child learns at their own pace. Every class level is integrally related to the previous level and the following level. Certain skills are emphasized at each level and swimmers can progress from one class level to the next when they are able to correctly perform a skill (check out your child's current skills in the parent portal for detailed information on each student). In order for a child to pass a skill, they must demonstrate the skill consistently, comfortably and confidently. Then the deck supervisor is called over to review the same skill before it is checked off as completed.
Our heated indoor pools provide the perfect environment for year round lessons. Keeping skills up, working towards being water safe(r) and maintaining a child's bond with their instructor and the facility is important for success. Swimming isn't just a sport, it contributes to positive social, emotional, and cognitive development. We recommend maintenance lessons year round to keep your kiddos swimming safely and confidently.
They underestimate the inherent risks of water. While few parents would allow their child to swim unsupervised in a lake (16%) or ocean (13%), 37% would allow their child to use a backyard, hotel or neighborhood pool without adult supervision, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at the University of Michigan. However, even strong swimmers can be easily affected by distance or other factors such as a cramp or swallowing water.
Coach Jim's Blog: Our teaching philosophy at JMSS is each child is different and each child learns at their own pace. Every class level is integrally related to the previous level and the following level. Certain skills are emphasized at each level and swimmers can progress from one class level to the next when they are able to correctly perform a skill (check out your child's current skills in the parent portal for detailed information on each student). In order for a child to pass a skill, they must demonstrate the skill consistently, comfortably and confidently. Then the deck supervisor is called over to review the same skill before it is checked off as completed.
Ready for Swim Team? I get a lot of parents asking me when I think their child will be ready to join the JMSS Marlin developmental swim team. The team practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings 6 - 7 pm and Saturdays 8:30 - 9:30 am in the 25 yard course "big" pool. The first thing I ask is what level of swim class is their swimmer currently in.
Short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. This month I will be kicking off a series of talks to our JMSS Sailfish USA swim team. First up is goal setting for the upcoming competitive swim season. What I want to get across to our swimmers, first and foremost, is that goals must be action oriented.
That is where Moment Goals come in.
MAY is Water Safety Month | Summer is coming, are you ready?
As pool season fast approaches we are encouraging all of our families to do a safer inventory of their home pools and to make sure their family establishes safety guidelines with their children of all ages. Kids of all ages and even adults can never be considered completely safe in or around any body of water.
Happy Holidays to all our JMSS Families! Seasons Greetings from the Jim Montgomery Swim School! As the holiday season picks up, we want to share with you the latest deals, news, and tips from JMSS!
Coach Jim wrote this in October of 1982 on how transitioning from a competitive athlete affected his swimming and how much he was in the water.
I started to swim competitively when I was 7 years old and almost 60 years later I am still going strong. There was only one time I hung up my swimsuit and quit swimming. That was way back in the late 70s when I had finished my college and international competitive swim career. What got me back into the pool was gaining 30 pounds and a change in attitude. I would like to share a few of my motivational tips that have helped me along the way.
