KISU Swim Club encourages our swimmers to compete, as we believe that competition allows them to become better swimmers and to learn valuable life skills. Through swim meets, swimmers are given a direction and focus for their training that is difficult for even the most motivated non-competitive swimmer to duplicate. The meets also allow swimmers an opportunity to show off their newly learnt skills (eg. at the MINI Meets there are often phenomenal swims that astonish both parents and coaches). The meets allow swimmers to chart their progress as they improve their times. Competitive swimming, because it is objective and time based, emphasizes self-improvement over placing against others. It is a very positive life experience for swimmers to realize that their hard work and attention to detail, result in improvement in their events. Competitive swimming also allows swimmers to experience and deal with failure. At some point in all swimmers' careers, they will have a race that is disappointing. They will realize that failure is not an end in itself, but only a stepping stone; an opportunity to become something better. Competing at meets allows swimmers the opportunity to become better swimmers and to develop skills that will help them throughout their lives.