SKWIM USA

This Sunday, January 24th join us for an interview with Doug Fonder, President and CEO of the International Swim Coaches Association! You'll be able to watch as... John and Doug discuss ISCA's goal to provide an international vehicle for all of the key components that go into helping swimmers get better. See more

Saw this and thought WOW! Never saw it like that! Really makes you think! I am not on a diet, I am choosing my health. You can too! Have a happy Saturday! New adventures next 9 days...wish me luck! Hugs to you all!

Reasons why swimmers leave competitive racing sport. https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com//7-familiar-reasons/ Many of these reasons get resolved with more SKWIM play.

Soccer is returning to the Pittsburgh area.

What is your coaching super-power? A splendid question has surfaced and is delivering a fine thread on the Swim Coaches Idea Exchange Group on Facebook. My posted answer there:... A point of gushing pride for me in my coaching deals with the my ability to inject a whole bunch of fun. I feel as if I can arrive at any swim pool, from top-performance-team sites to public pools in in hot crowded, inter-city conditions and sling together a fun-filled workout experience. Who wants to play a game? Try on these fins. Toss the disk with the smooth side down. Here are the rules. If you want to play, grab a headband so we know what team you're on. Teamwork, sportsmanship, offense/defense, quick swimming, problem solving, respect, play, etc. Everyone has a blast, becomes engaged and at the end they're asking, "When can we do it (play SKWIM) again?" https://www.facebook.com/SKWIMUSA/posts/2394356147282022 (photos from a prior visit to Maine's CMA.)

SKWIM needs to scale.

Flashback to a great day of SKWIM from last season with the swimmers of Oakland Catholic, Central Catholic and coaches.

My swim teams at The Ellis School, won’t be doing a regular season this year due to Covid-19. This news was published in the Post-Gazette. Lots to unpack here.... Mostly, about 80% of the students in the school, K-12, all girls and private, are attending in-person classes. Some are choosing to be fully remote, as that is an option. Three cheers that the classroom efforts are working well. The efforts have been huge. Everyone has been super diligent and the staff and faculty are stretched. Sports (indoors) would put a new challenge that can’t be control to the mix. In league swimming efforts, Ellis is part of the WPIAL and we were up at the PIAA championships when news came that the AA athletes would not get to compete. #Bang. Season over. For this coming 2-year season grid, Ellis is the only WPIAL swim team (aprox 80 them) put into a forced schedule marriage of sorts. Every one of our sectional dual meets is always with three teams. I objected to this administrative habit Ellis had to endure for the past 4 years. It was better when, 5 years ago and prior, when ELLIS could hold its meets with just two teams, like all the others do. But this year, the big irony comes as the word from the league is to hold separate girls and separate boys swim meets. Go figure. That is what we wanted to do. Another told ya so moment comes at the middle school level. Ellis is in the city. But, the city schools won’t allow our middle school swim team to compete with the city schools middle school swim teams. I tried to schedule a meet last year with SciTech and others but was denied. Ugh. Most suburban middle school swimming seasons are held in the fall or spring. But Ellis and PPS have MS winter swimming. But the two can’t mix. So sad. And we are getting the word from the leagues that schedule should be more local. Stay safe. My hope is to coach Virtual Varsity Swimming. And, as we feel confident to return to the water, to work on skills, aquatic fitness and play some SKWIM, a game the can unfold with socially distancing too.

Kevin got a mention too.