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Meet The 2012 U.S. Olympic Swim Team
Wednesday, July 18th, 2012by Ryan Hudson
After eight days in Omaha, the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Swimming reached its conclusion, and with it came the official roster announcement from USA Swimming.
The men’s side is led, obviously, by Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Phelps, a 16-time medalist, will compete in four individual events in London (200m IM, 400m IM, 100m fly and 200m fly), the same number as Lochte (200m back, 200m IM, 400m IM and 200m free). The rivals could face each other in two finals, while also competing together on the relay teams.
On the women’s side, 17-year-old Missy Franklin qualified in four individual events, and Allison Schmitt will swim three competitions in London.
In addition to the 49 swimmers named to the team for the 2012 Summer Olympics, USA Swimming also tabbed the coaches for London: The men’s staff consists of head coach Gregg Troy and assistant coaches Bob Bowman, David Marsh and Eddie Reese; The women’s head coach is Teri McKeever, and the assistant coaches are Dave Salo, Todd Schmitz and Steve Bultman. Tim Murphy is the head open water coach.
The full team will head to Knoxville, Tenn., on July 7, for training camp in advance of traveling to London. The Olympic swimming competition takes place between July 28 and August 4 at the London Aquatic Centre, with the women’s and men’s open water 10K set for Aug. 9 and 10, respectively, at the Serpentine at Hyde Park.
The 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team:
Men:
Alex Meyer – 10K Open Water
Ryan Lochte – 200 Back, 200 IM, 400m IM, 200 Free, 800 Free Relay
Peter Vanderkaay – 400 Free
Brendan Hansen – 100 Breast
Michael Phelps – 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 800 Free Relay
Women:
Haley Anderson – 10K Open Water
Elizabeth Beisel – 200 Backstroke, 400 IM
Dana Vollmer – 100 Fly, 800 Free Relay
Allison Schmitt – 400 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay
Missy Franklin – 100 Free, 100m Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, 200 Free, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay
…For the full list visit SB Nation
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Get Educated About Rip Currents
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CPR Emergency | May is National Water Safety Month
Get Educated About Rip Currents
Friday, July 6th, 2012
Many people are heading to the nation’s beaches to enjoy some time at the shore this summer. The American Red Cross urges awareness of hidden dangers which can be present in the ocean – rip currents – and what to do if caught up in these strong underwater currents.
Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by beach lifeguards. The greatest safety precaution people can take is to know the danger of rip currents, and always swim at beaches with lifeguards. If someone is caught in a rip current, they should remember the following:
- Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
- Never fight against the current.
- Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle – away from the current – toward shore.
- If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
- If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures
Shallow Water Blackouts | May is National Water Safety Month
Thursday, May 10th, 2012In honor of National Water Safety Month, we will be featuring weekly water safety articles that provide insight into important information regarding swimming pool safety.
By Sabraya Ghale
Safety Director, American Pool Enterprises, Inc.
Anyone that was a competitive swimmer 10-20 years ago will remember their hypoxic training. How many strokes or laps could you do without taking a breath? One of the thought processes was the fewer breaths you took the faster you would swim. One of the ways we thought we could hold our breath longer was to take rapid, deep breaths – basically voluntarily hyperventilating.
If we weren’t doing this for our swim coach, then we were showing off to our friends during recreational swim. Unfortunately, we have learned through many tragic events that this practice it NOT safe. In fact, it is extremely dangerous because swimmers risk passing out due to a lack of oxygen. This phenomenon has been labeled as Shallow Water Blackouts.
It has been recently discovered that one of the most common causes of drowning is Shallow Water Blackouts. This type of blackout occurs when a swimmer’s carbon dioxide and oxygen levels become too low. Once O2 levels are too low the person will become unconscious. Our breathing mechanism is triggered by higher levels of CO2 in our body. When someone voluntarily hyperventilates in an effort to increase their O2 level to swim longer distances without breathing, they are actually decreasing their CO2 levels. Low levels of CO2 deprive our bodies of its built-in system that notifies us to breath. Therefore, a person who hyperventilates and then swims underwater can pass out because their body does not know they are in need of O2. Once the body does realize it is in need of O2 and takes a breath, they will swallow large amounts of water causing the drowning process to begin.
Shallow Water Blackouts can affect anyone, but the population affected most is competitive, physically-fit swimmers. Therefore, it is much harder to recognize someone suffering from this type of blackout because they are usually the most confident and experienced swimmers.
Traditionally, lifeguards were taught to focus on the weak, young or elderly swimmers. Now that aquatic specialists have discovered the phenomenon of Shallow Water Blackouts, many preventive methods have been put into place. The American Red Cross, YMCA and USA Swimming have now banned hypoxic training and prolonged underwater swimming, although far too many people still practice it. In addition, training organizations such as the American Red Cross are helping to train lifeguards more aware of the dangers of hyperventilation and extended breath-holding.
Today, the best prevention strategy is education. Swim coaches, competitive swimmers, parents, lifeguards and pool managers should all be well-aware of how Shallow Water Blackouts can affect swimmers. Professional aquatic staff must not allow anyone to participate in any breath-holding activity, no matter their experience level. Regular pool patrons have the power to recognize this dangerous activity and notify the correct personnel in charge. As pool enthusiasts, we can all help reduce the risk of drowning in our communities and take steps to promote optimum water safety.
May is National Water Safety Month. Help join the fight to save our children from unintentional drowning and follow ALL the home pool safety tips provided. Remember to contact your local Red Cross (1-800-RED-CROSS) for further information on enrolling in swimming lessons, CPR, or first aid class.
About the Author
Sabraya Ghale graduated from Villa Julie College in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology. She began her aquatics career as an assistant swim coach for the YMCA and then became a YMCA Aquatics Director. The American Red Cross recognizes her as a Certified Lifeguard Instructor Trainer and she coordinates a top safety program for lifeguard management companies across the United States. She has continued with her training over the years by completing courses on Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA Construction Safety and Health. Currently, she serves as the Safety Director for American Pool Enterprises, Inc. and has spent the last seven years enforcing policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all full-time and seasonal employees.
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Innovative game ‘Skwim’ coming to a pool near you
Thursday, December 8th, 2011From Marco Polo to Sharks and Minnows, poolgoers have enjoyed playing innovative water games for generations. Even games like basketball and volleyball have been adapted to the pool by enterprising citizens.
One such citizen recently developed a water polo-type game called “Skwim” in which opposing teams attempt to score a frisbee-like disc into a goal at either end of the pool. The game’s creator, Kevin McCarthy of Sammamish, WA, is betting on the widespread adoption of his new game and judging by early returns, Skwim is a huge hit with the kids.
To master the art of Skwim, one must become proficient at advancing toward the goal by skipping the specially-designed disc across the surface of the pool like a stone. Players also wear unique oval-toed fins – also designed by McCarthy – to help them effectively dart around the pool while trying to score a goal or prevent the other team from doing the same.
In Washington State, the game has become such an instant hit that inter-school Skwim competitions are now being held. McCarthy hopes that his creation is accepted as warmly all across the country, and it certainly seems like he has a fighting chance.
An invention happens when an entrepreneurial mind has an idea and sticks with it until fruition. Skwim is such a creation, and it is beneficial for its players in several ways. “It’s a great sport for kids to be safe, and it’s a great fitness sport for all ages,” McCarthy said. “My goal for Skwim is to have it played everywhere in the world.”
Whether this happens or not, it seems that Skwim isn’t going away any time soon. Give it a try at your local pool; who knows, it just might help get your creative juices flowing.
Originally posted on http://www.dailypilot.com/news/tn-dpt-1127-apodaca-20111126,0,7206457.story
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USA Swimming launches mobile application Deck Pass
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Deck Pass lets swimmers share their achievements through their smartphones.
COLORADO SPRINGS – Success in swimming can be measured by a variety of achievements, from faster lap times to longer distance milestones. And like all competitive sports, one of the most satisfying parts is bragging about your exploits to likeminded members of the swimming community.
With Deck Pass, the new mobile application from USA Swimming, organizing and sharing these achievements with fellow swimmers and coaches is easier than ever. Deck Pass harnesses the power of social media such as Facebook to help keep track of and share your lap times with family and friends.
You don’t have to be a serious competitor to benefit from the app; swimmers of all skill levels can connect with other swimmers, track personal times in the app’s virtual logbook and set goals for the season with Deck Pass.
“USA Swimming has long had the ability to track our members’ swimming times and rankings,” said Jim Fox, USA Swimming Marketing Manager. “Deck Pass now gives us the opportunity to use that data in a way that is exciting, fun and beneficial for swimmers. We’ve created an easy way for swimmers to connect digitally while also tapping into the importance of what goal-setting and achievement means to swimmers.”
Deck Pass provides encouragement in the form of digital patches for each accomplishment you make in the pool, from a new record time to entering a new event. Additionally, coaches can create custom patches for their swimmers to recognize individual achievements.
Deck Pass truly offers something for everyone.
Deck Pass is currently available only for the iPhone, but an Android version will hit markets later this year.
Originally posted on www.swimmingworldmagazine.com.
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Swim time
Saturday, May 28th, 2011By Nicole Lockley
nicole.lockley@roanoke.com, 381-1671
It’s Memorial Day weekend and for some Americans it’s a time to acknowledge the efforts of our armed forces. For others it just means an extra day off.
But this weekend also signifies an event that all children, and even adults, look forward to. It doesn’t involve gifts, toys or candy. It’s the indication that summer is fast approaching. And that means the local pools are open once again.
Starting Saturday, country clubs, water parks and community swimming pools open their facilities for those who wish to dive into some good ol’ H2O to get away from the heat. And with the rising temperatures, they’re just in time.
The waters that wait
» Residents of Pulaski County can visit the newly refurbishedEvelyn Alexander Water Park in Randolph Park. Equipped with an eight lane lap pool, a 38 foot long water slide, newly refurbished water toys for the kids, and several other water related objects, this a place that can almost guarantee fun in the sun.
Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:30 to 6 p.m. Sundays. It offers discounted prices for children under 2-years-old and seniors. For a full list of prices and how Pulaski County residents can purchase discount pool passes, visit their website atwww.randolphpark.org/waterpk.htm.
» If you live in Giles County you have the option of visiting Pearisburg Town Pool. The 11-year-old facility has a heated, 25-meter, six-lane pool and a 12-foot-deep diving well. The pool is handicap-accessible. There is a wading pool for small children. This pool is scheduled to be open from noon to 6 p.m. daily. For additional information on times, recreational programs, prices or to book a private party, call (540) 921-2335.
» Montgomery County residents can leap over to Frog Pond on Saturday’s from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday’s from noon to 6 p.m. When the Montgomery County school system releases, regular pool hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Extended hours on Tuesday nights are intended to encourage family swim nights.
The Frog Pond will also be hosting their Rock the Pond Concert starting July 15 with The Kind, a folk rock band from the New River Valley.
For fee information and other additional information call 540-382- 6981 or visit www.montgomerycountyva.gov.
» If you’d rather save your sunscreen for another day, the Blacksburg and Christiansburg Aquatic Centers are open to the public as well.
The Blacksburg Aquatic Center is a year-round indoor aquatic facility with a six-lane, 25-yard pool open for lessons and free swimming. There’s a splash pool for children, and adults can take advantage of the hot tub.
The center will be closed on Memorial Day but their operating hours are 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
However, public swimming hours are subject to change on a weekly basis, so swimmers are advised to visit their website for hours on www.blackburg.va.us, under the Parks and Recreation tab.
The Christiansburg Aquatic Center will also be closed on Memorial Day weekend. The Aquatic Center offers swim lessons, summer camp, daycare and water fitness classes. The center also has water park features that are turned on at 11 a.m. daily.
Operating hours are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 pm. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Community swim hours are subject to change daily so it is advised to visit their website atwww.christiansburg.org or call (540) 381- 7665.
Originally posted at: http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/288086
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Canine lifeguards doggie paddle to the rescue
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
By Francesco Manetti, Associated Press Writer
CIVITAVECCHIA — They leap from helicopters or speeding boats, bringing aid to swimmers who get into trouble off Italy’s popular beaches.
For these canine lifeguards, the doggie paddle does just fine.
Hundreds of specially trained dogs from Italy’s corps of canine lifeguards are deployed each summer to help swimmers in need of rescue.
These “lifedogs” wear a harness or tow a buoy that victims can grab, or a raft they can sit on to be towed back to shore, and unlike their human counterparts, they can easily jump from helicopters and speeding boats to reach swimmers in trouble.
With millions flocking to Italy’s crowded beaches each summer, the Italian Coast Guard says it rescues about 3,000 people every year — and their canine helpers are credited with saving several lives.
It takes three years for the canines to reach expert rescue status, and currently 300 dogs are fully trained for duty, said Roberto Gasbarri, who coordinates the Italian School of Canine Lifeguards program at a center outside of Rome in the seaside town of Civitavecchia.
“Dogs are useful in containing the physical fatigue of the lifeguard, to increase the speed at which casualties are retrieved, to increase the security of both the casualty and of the lifeguard,” Gasbarri said.
“The dog becomes a sort of intelligent lifebuoy. It is a buoy that goes by itself to a person in need of help, and comes back to the shore also by himself, choosing the best landing point and swimming through the safest currents,” he said.
The Civitavecchia center is one of a dozen around the country for the school founded more than 20 years ago in the northern province of Bergamo by Ferruccio Pilenga, whose first trainee was his own Newfoundland.
The school will train any breed, as long as they weigh at least 30 kilograms (66 pounds), but Labradors, Newfoundlands and golden retrievers are most commonly used because of their natural instinct for swimming. Each dog works in tandem with a human lifeguard, who also acts as the animal’s trainer.
“Being retrievers, they set out to pick up anything we tell them, be it a human being, an object, or a fish, and they bring it back to the shore,” said lifeguard Monia Luciani. “They do not associate it with a physical activity, but it is rather a game for them.”
Originally posted on Newsvine.com
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8-year-old swims for another boy’s new heart
Surf’s up! The best surf parks, surf pools and artificial waves
At Ocean City fair, 12K jobs for the taking
If you are looking for a summer job where you can earn good money, receive training, improve your resume and have fun, then you should APPLY NOW.
We have Lifeguarding Jobs and Offer Lifeguard Training in: Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Georgia (GA), Maryland (MD), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Pennsylvania (PA), Virginia (VA).
Guard for Life, www.guardforlife.com, the home of lifeguarding at American Pool www.americanpool.com.
8-year-old swims for another boy’s new heart
Monday, April 4th, 2011Eight-year-old Ronan Torrence is set to swim until he can freestyle or backstroke no more Friday to raise money for the big brother of two of his friends.
The big brother, 14-year-old Lucas Valencia, was born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a year ago he and his family were told by doctors he would need a heart transplant. Since that time Lucas lost his grandfather, one of his biggest supporters.
“It’s been hard but it’s also wonderful to know there is this option of a heart transplant,” said Miriam Valencia, Lucas’ mother. “I have faith in God and I know the answers will come at the right time. It’s a matter of keeping hope and keeping patience.”
A four-mom team in Vista, where both boys live, is working with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to raise $50,000 for Valencia’s surgery.
The funds will pay for additional non-insurance covered expenses related to the $500,000 transplant, said Becky Gelvezon, community coordinator with COTA. So far the group has raised nearly $700. Ronan’s swim-a-thon at the Brooks Street Pool in Oceanside will contribute to the fund.
“We are just touched that Ronan would be so selfless to offer this as a way to help Lucas,” said Miriam Valencia, Lucas’ mother. “With a new heart (Lucas) can be a normal child.”
Once Lucas is placed on the heart transplant list the family must have bags packed and be ready to rush to UCLA Medical Center. Pediatric heart transplants are not done in San Diego, Valencia said.
Ronan’s and other contributions will help get the family on the list and ready to go sooner than expected.
Keep reading article on the San Diego Union-Tribune website >
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News & Updates
Surf’s up! The best surf parks, surf pools and artificial waves
At Ocean City fair, 12K jobs for the taking
If you are looking for a summer job where you can earn good money, receive training, improve your resume and have fun, then you should APPLY NOW.
We have Lifeguarding Jobs and Offer Lifeguard Training in: Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Georgia (GA), Maryland (MD), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Pennsylvania (PA), Virginia (VA).
Guard for Life, www.guardforlife.com, the home of lifeguarding at American Pool www.americanpool.com.