OCVarsity Q&A: Michael Spence

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The Diamond Bar swimming coach talks about Andrew Luk, his favorite quotes and much more.

Just the facts
Name: Michael W. Spence
School: Diamond Bar High
What does he do there: Swim coach, school mascot coach

Three things you need to know about Spence
1.) He loves the water.    
2.) He has authored a book on tandem surfing (appropriately called “Tandem Surfing”) that is about the history and rules of the sport.
3.) He likes a good quote.

What’s his story?
There isn’t much to say about Spence, other than he looks like Santa on vacation with his long, white beard and Hawaiians shirts, and he has done just about everything there is to do in the water, including tandem surf, and he seems as at ease with kids as he is in the ocean or a pool. This spring, Spence made it possible for a blind teen, Andrew Luk, to join the Diamond Bar junior varsity, and the experience seems to have had a profound effect on all parties involved.

So, start talking
OCVarsity: Tell us about having Andrew Luk on your team?
Michael Spence: In the beginning, I wasn’t too sure what to expect from Andrew or the team’s reaction.  While I have worked with cancer children through ‘Camp Good Times’ for 16 years, Andrew was different and a longer term commitment.

‘Camp Good Times’ provides children with  cancer a day at the beach, allowing them to experience the ocean on a surfboard, tandem surfing, building sandcastles and completing a fun obstacle course. (This year’s event is Sept. 13th at Leo Carrillo State Beach.)

As for Andrew, he is so special.  When his teacher told me that she had a student that wanted to be a part of the team, I had no idea he was blind.  All I knew is that he was coming from the Special Education area of our educational system.  When I was told that he was blind, well, my first reaction was – I love a challenge, why not.  He is just like any other student, just blind. Can’t be too difficult to work with, just a different angle or approach to teaching and working with his swimming abilities.

I called CIF-Southern Section and let them know that I was going to take on a blind swimmer for the 2008 season and asked if they could help.  They referred me to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Web site where I didn’t find many answers to my questions.  When I visited the Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, I searched for information on training and working with a blind swimmer.  Nope, really nothing there either.

Andrew came to our tryouts and it was obvious he needed some good instruction. So I asked one of my senior girls, Lynn Han, if she would like to share this challenge with me.  I asked her to work with Andrew in the pool, one on one, and to start with the basics – balance, kick, and swim strokes.  They took it one step at a time - baby steps.  Andrew never questioned a thing; he just did what we asked.

While watching and working with Andrew, we noticed that his stamina was getting better.  His mother, Royani Luk, mentioned that since we started working with him that he wasn’t as tired or withdrawn anymore.  At about two weeks into practice, and before our first meet against Alta Loma, I let Andrew know that he was really improving with his Freestyle stroke and picking up his time.

“Andrew, would you be willing to swim the 500 Freestyle?”  

“Sure coach.  Do you think I could do it?”

“There’s only one way to find out, let’s do it.”

At Alta Loma he swam his first 500 Freestyle in 9:55.14.  When he finished, I let him know his time and let him know he did great.

“Would you like to try swimming it again at the next meet?  Your choice Andrew.”

“Well, OK, but could I swim the 50 Free too?”

Andrew’s first official time was 9:55.14. Two days later, at Cerritos, he swam a 9:32.50. Then four days later, he swam a 8:54.31.  At the Walnut Invitational, with 16 other high schools watching, Andrew swam the 500 again and picked up time, swimming an 8:54.98.

OCV: What has the experience meant to you, to him and to your other swimmers?
MS: For me it’s been a real joy to get to know Andrew and his family.  For him, he probably thinks his coach is a few fries short of a Happy Meal.  As for the team, well, it’s probably overwhelming for both Andrew and the team to see all this press about Andrew, but it has brought the team together as they cheer Andrew on in his events. 

They have caused others, not associated with our team, to stand and join in their cheers to bring Andrew to the finish wall for his events.  Hopefully, the team has learned not think someone is strange even if they are different in some way.

OCV: Tell us about the quote you use on your e-mails to the Register and others: Success means having the courage, the determination and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.
MS: Anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it, work hard and take the time needed to reach your dream.  America gives that opportunity to everyone!  Do you want it?  Can you taste it?  Then let’s get to work and make it happen.  Nothing is handed to us.

Spence lists 5 of his favorite quotes

A hug is a great gift.  One size fits all and it’s easy to exchange. — Anonymous

On this team, we are all united in a common goal. — Lou Holtz (Spence admits to editing the full quote, which was, On this team we are all united in a common goal — to keep my job. "Lou Holtz said it well,” Spence says, “but I won’t share the last part of the quote with the team.”)

The smallest good deed is better than the best intentions. — Anonymous

Your actions are so loud, I can’t hear a word you are saying. — Unknown but often shared by William J. Hornung (Spence’s father-in-law)

The gods do not subtract the time from one’s lifetime spent surfing. — Anonymous (Spence calls himself “an old surfer of 52 years in the water.”

Contact the writer: bpatterson@ocregister.com