By Karen Welsh
Splish Splash. Splish Splash.
Only 7-year-old Chase Tanaka isn't taking a bath.
No, this little squirt is training for YWCA Novice Swim Team in their saltwater pool on Haili Street. That's where I met him, or watched in amazement during family swim hours while this little boy wonder tenaciously swam laps back and forth for 30 minutes straight, stopping barely long enough to find out his time and receive a few words of instruction from Leonard, his dad and weekend coach.
Call me a gawker, but I've witnessed a lot of 7-year-olds swim throughout my lifetime. For most that age lapping the pool one time is a feat. Twice is a downright miracle.
For Chase, a second grader at Kamehameha School in Kea'au, it is par for the course as he effortlessly makes the turn to swim another 25 yards down the line. That's because he's in training and Chase always swims as if he's a man on a mission, said his regular YWCA Swim Coach Adria Pickett.
"I just moved him up to the swim team," she said. "He's been swimming since he was four and I felt it was time. He's a really hard worker and he's really focused. He's always here to work hard. He always listens very attentively and follows directions."
His efforts have already paid off, because Chase, who swims the breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and backstroke events, has already won first and second place ribbons at each meet.
"He takes home ribbons every time he swims," Adria said. "He's good. Really good."
And, the family is always there to cheer him on. This includes, of course, his dad, mom Suellen and Rachel, his little 4-year-old sister.
What's really amazing, Adria said, is Chase had to get over a tremendous fear of the deep end of the pool in order to compete.
Chase admitted there were other anxieties too.
"I felt a little nervous when my coach first asked me because I didn't know any of the kids," he said. "I didn't know if I would feel comfortable."
It wasn't long before Chase's strong desire to swim on the team outweighed his nerves. The only thing left to do was overcome his obstacles and move on, or down the lane with everyone chasing behind him.
In the process, Chase found out the deep end wasn't so scary and his teammates were pretty terrific too. This has given Chase particular insight for other keiki who might be anxious to try new things.
"If you're afraid, make sure you at least try it and get comfortable with it," he said. "I did. Now I feel excited and happy, especially when I won a couple of ribbons at my first meet. Now I want to continue swimming."
Although the butterfly is Chase's "funnest" stroke, it's not his strongest. That would be the freestyle and breast. That's why this water-logged youngster makes sure he spends equal time practicing the others.
With his will and determination to succeed, it comes as no surprise that Chase's vision of the future is already washing over him as he tirelessly puts one hand in front of the other and glides through the water.
"I like to compete," Chase admitted. "I practice because I want to get better. My dream is to one day compete on the swim team at the Olympics."
And Chase, all of East Hawaii will be cheering.