One of the classic scenes in the movie “Caddyshack” is when Chevy Chase's character offers a tip to Danny Noonan, the underdog who's trying to win Birchwood Country Club's annual caddie tournament and accompanying college scholarship.

“Just be the ball, be the ball,” offers Chase.

After Noonan shanks a shot, Chase says, “You're not being the ball Danny.”

UCSD masters swim coach Ron Marcikic channels his best Chevy Chase when he says the best advice he can pass along to swimmers is, “Be the water.”

“It's a zen-type thing,” Marcikic says. “You want to feel the water caressing your body as you move slowly or swiftly. You want to feel the current over your head, feel the pressure of your hands on the water. Be one with the water.

“We're mostly water anyway, so you want to be part of the water. You want to move through the water as if the water's moving through you. Then the resistance will be so much smaller for you.

“It's a release. It's giving in to the moment. Like the runner who once he puts on his shoes, you become the pavement, what you're running through or over.”

– DON NORCROSS