the17thman

Advice from Olympian Amanda Beard: Introduce your Kids to Water! | SwimOutlet.com

Shop for Aqua Sphere products at: http://www.swimoutlet.com/Aqua-Sphere/
Swimmer Amanda Beard is not just a four-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist but also a mother to son Blaise, age 3. She recommends introducing your kids to water at a young age and explains that learning to swim at an early age opens up a world of healthy activities in-and-around the water. Take your young children to swim classes or a swimming professional today!

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Tuesday's Swim Report - Same Swim News Just Now In Slow Motion, Just Like My Swimming!

Lane 1 - The Telegraph posts "British Swimming names Bill Furniss, who guided Rebecca Adlington to Olympic gold, as GB head coach.  Bill Furniss, the man who coached Rebecca Adlington to double Olympic glory in Beijing in 2008 and two bronze medals at London 2012, has been handed the task of reviving the fortunes in pool after being confirmed as the new head coach of British Swimming."

Lane 2 - Gazettes post "Belmont Pool Closes Permanently; Meet On New Design Wednesday.  There will be no more swimming in the Belmont Plaza Pool.  The pool is nearly 50 years old, and hosting the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in 1968 and 1976, as well as the NCAA national championships in 1974 and 1978. The indoor pool, or Natatorium, has been a candidate for replacement for more than five years, including an order from the City Council a year ago for a new study and design."

Lane 3 - UConn posts via youtube "Swim Team In Super Slow Motion.  The UConn Swimming and Diving Team has a strong tradition of athletic and academic excellence. The team has a combined 5 NCAA All Americans and both the Men and Women are recognized as Scholar All-American Teams by the College Swimming Coaches Association. The footage in this video was captured at their competition against Seton Hall on January 27, 2013. During the competition, UConn wore green and white caps in honor of those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT."

Lane 4 - BBC posts "Rebecca Adlington: Olympian ready for life after swimming.   With four Olympic medals, two gold and two bronze, Rebecca Adlington retires from competition as Britain's most decorated swimmer.  Her career may have ended in tears of sadness rather than joy after she finished third in the Olympic 800m freestyle final, but Adlington's status and legacy was secured long before she touched the wall for the final time at London 2012."

Lane 5 - SwimOutlet posts "Top Swim Paddles Compared - The Gangloff Review.  He’s back! Olympic gold medalist and University of Missouri Assistant Swim Coach Mark Gangloff has prepared another round of performance reviews exclusively for SwimOutlet.com. This month’s reviews focus on an all-important training accessory: swim paddles."

Lane 6 - Radio Times asks "Should Splash! get a second series?  As coach Andy Banks hints at another round of high-diving, let us know whether you want to see a return for Tom Daley's talent contest."

Lane 7 - Japan Times posts "Kitajima to swim for at least one more season.  Former two-time double Olympic breaststroke champion Kosuke Kitajima will not retire any time soon, saying Monday that he will continue to compete for at least another season.  “I want to enjoy swimming this year,” said the 30-year-old Kitajima, who did not win an individual medal at the London Olympics last year. “I want to keep swimming until I’ve had absolutely enough."

Lane 8 - Zee News posts "Olympic champ reprimanded for breaking rules.  Beijing: China`s star swimmer and Olympic champion Sun Yang has been "punished for breaking a series of team rules".  The Zhejiang College of Sports, to which the dual Olympic champion is affiliated, accused Sun of "indiscipline" in a statement issued on Monday.  The college also withheld a month of his allowance and "provincially suspended" him from all commercial activities."

The 17 Days Of Swimming. Day Seventeen - My Swim Bag Wish List

Well due my bad planning this really is Day 18 since I had two Day 5's in a row.  Opps!  So I've listed 17 Swim Related things that I've used in the last year but now it's time for a few Swim Thingies that I want!

Lane 1.  Forearm Paddles from Athlete Approved - "The Forearm paddles are specially designed to help swimmers understand how to use a high-elbow catch. They can be used for all four strokes. The paddles start at the fingers and go down to the forearm. They are perfect for beginners to elite athletes to teach and reinforce technique. They are also great to building strength in the upper body."  19.99 USD Available at AthleteApproved.com

Lane 2.  Sporti Training Swim Fins from Swim Oulet. - "Soft, flexible, and comfortable enough to log countless hours in the pool, the Sporti Training fins are a must have for your swimming workouts. Featuring a short blade, these fins won't overstrain your muscles so you can focus on a proper kick to propel you through the water as fast as possible. Each fin size has its own distinct color, so there's no wasting time finding your perfect fit.

• 2-toned
• Shorter blade to aid proper kicking form
• Each size has its own distinct blade color
• Flexible foot pocket
• Closed ankle provides extra support
• Fins float to the surface
• Easy on and off
• Sizing is based on men's shoe sizes
• 100% Rubber
• Imported"

Why these?  Well a swim mate of mine wears them and I tried them on.  They seems to be a lot more comfortable then my Yellow/Golden Zoomers.  Or course now these won't match the color of my paddles or d-band but alas color is good!  Available at SwimOulet.com

Lane 3.  TYR Men's Full Zip Event Hoodie.  "Men's Full Zip Event Hoodie offers warmth without bulk. Built for the elements, this sweatshirt features a banded bottom and banded cuffs to block cold air, an attached 3-Piece Hood for coverage and front hand warmer pockets for warmth. Inspired by the raw ambition of sport, The Event Zip Up Sweatshirt is designed for people who like making themselves stronger, faster and more comfortable. The perfect go-to piece when the competition has ended."  65.99 USD Available at tyr.com

Lane 4. Mesh Equipment Bag.  I don't know why I don't have someone so practical and so cheap but I don't own a Mesh Equipment Bag.   SwimOutlet.com has Speedo Mesh Equipment Bag is assorted solid colors.  With its comfortable and sturdy Nylon shoulder straps, this ventilated mesh equipment bag will be a pleasure to carry no matter how full you stuff it.   If you need more then just a splash of color Splish.com has some great designs including my personal favorite!

Lane 5.  LifeProof Case. A LifeProof case for my iPhone 4S.  I'd like one for my iPad Mini but they don't have one yet.  Why?  So I can film underwater of course!  Plus I wouldn't be afraid using it on the pool deck.

Lane 6. FINIS Freestyle Snorkel.  Another item that has been on my Wish List for several years.  But between buying new swim suits, goggles and other daily must haves the snorkel is always on the wish list.  "The front-mounted Freestyle Snorkel is the first snorkel designed specifically for freestylers. The new design allows triathletes, sprinters and long-distance freestylers to achieve a lower head position to further optimize body position and achieve faster times." - SwimOutlet.com  Maybe this will be the year I break down and buy one.  Check more at finisinc.com

Lane 7.  Arena PADDLEBALL OL.  Living in Florida we don't have many really cold mornings but when we do I have my Swim Parka.  But what about those almost cold mornings?  I don't really have much which is why I'm wishing for the Arena PADDLEBALL OL this holiday season.  It seems to be unisex but like that really matters.  What matters is that it is a hoodie!  Which is great to cover pre-workout just out of bed head and post-workout my hair is wet!  It only comes in black but that is a good thing so it'll look clean after a few Gatorade spills.  Available at arenausa.com 90 USD.

Lane 8.  Athletic Foodie Kitchen Apron.  Come on and show your support for the Athletic Foodie with this cool apron.  Real Olympic Medals Sold Separately.  Sold via Facebook.

I could list about 100 small items from specific books, swim clinics, iOS apps and tons of gadgets but enough is enough for me.  So what about you feel free to comment on your Holiday Wish List Swim Items!

The 17 Days Of Swimming. Day Fourteen - TYR Hydrofoil Kickboard

I hate kicking, I hate kicking, I hate kicking!  I know it's good for me but I still hate kicking.  Long before I was teaching a billion spinning classes a week I wasn't a big fan of kicking.  Now that I teach spinning I don't want to kick at all.  But since I know it's good for me I recently decided to purchase a kickboard.  The all new TYR Hydrofoil Kickboard.  Why?  Because of this video…


More from TYR.com

•  Designed for Elite Athletes, the Hydrofoil Kickboard Offers a Very Natural Body Position While Training
•  The Convex Base Promotes a Natural Roll With Your Hips, Torso and Shoulders Through the Water, Making for a Very Realistic Kicking Experience
•  Hand Cutouts Provide Proper Placement for Extended Arms

I gotta admit I'm always on the hunt for new swim things to make my workouts more enjoyable and easier.  Just watching this video I could hear years of coaches words in my head about body rotating and all that stuff.  So I went to the TYR site right away.  But at that time they had no "Add To Cart" button so I emailed them waiting to see if the kickboard was yet available.  After a week without hearing anything from TYR I headed over to the good folks at SwimOutlet.com and ordered it.  And what do I think?

Well the one thing I noticed off the bat is how light it is and how small it is.  Which is what I like when I'm digging for a kickboard in the kickboard pile.  Recently the pool got these longer dense kickboards and since they are new everyone likes them.  Me I am always going back to the storage room and looking for the smaller older kickboards.  For as much as I hate kicking I know what I like in a kickboard. 

How Does It Feel In The Water?  Light!  It was super comfortable just kicking away.  I was swimming or kicking a bit more then usual and faster then I like (the workout) and the board  just always felt great.  Goldilocks would have approved!  It's light enough and strong enough so that you can swoop it like a big fin when you get to the wall (pulling but that would be cheating so call it swooping) the board is also perfect for when you push off underwater streamline with the kickboard. Some kickboards bend and just feel awkward when swooping and stream lining but the Hydrofoil held up strong.

Because it is convex it makes it easier to keep a slight body roll while you kick.  With regular flat boards you kick flat or you try to roll your body only to tweak your lower back. So in theory it should help me with my bodyroll or to develop a bodyroll in my swim.

Now this board won't make me a fan of kicking anytime soon but it did make it a lot more comfortable. 

And with the shape and it's color black it just looks so cool like a stealth airplane.  So it's got the coolness factor.  Now only if they could add in little jets to make me faster!

If you think the Hydrofoil is the kickboard for you head on over to SwimOulet.com to buy it!

The 17 Days Of Swimming. Twelve - Speedo Pro Backpack & Wheelie Bag

Yes, I use two different Speedo bags.  I mean I don't use them both at the same time but I use them both for different reasons.  One is my swim gear bag and daily workout bag while the other is my gym gear and swim meet bag. 

Let's start with the Team Speedo USA Pro Backpack (Rocker).  First of all this bag is huge!  Whatever you need to bring to the gym it'll fit in.  Yes, I'm saying gym bag.  On day's when I teach several classes I pack gym clothes, street clothes for later and lots of water and drinks.  It all fits in the bag.  It's also great for swim meets to lug your gear around.  It'll fit a full days worth of swim meet clothes and some food.  It even has a wet area to keep wet suits away from the rest of your clothes.  The best feature is it's inside lining.  The lining is bright green which makes it easy to find items when your looking for them.  Most bags are black inside which makes finding things like your in a dark tunnel.  This is my favorite bag.  Now I don't use it for my daily swim practice bag since I use the Speedo Wheelie Bag.  More on that after.  But first more on the Team Speedo USA Pro Backpack:

Perfect for athletes who want a cool, durable, and organized way to transport their gear, the Speedo® Pro Backpack is designed with Speedo's signature high-quality construction.

• Part of the Team Speedo Rocker collection.
• Adjustable, ergonomic straps.
• Large main compartment with U-shaped zipper opening.
• Side pockets are ventilated for wet item storage.
• Media pocket.
• Front zipper pocket with organizer.
• Cell phone and goggle pouch.
• Rubberized, water-resistant bottom.
• Top loop for easy hanging.

Available at Speedousa.com

Really good deal right now at SwimOutlet.com I might buy another one for the future!

On the 17th Day I'm going to include a list of things I want and one of those things is a Mesh Equipment Bag.  Since I don't have one I keep my swimming gear (fins, paddles, pull buoy, goggles, etc) in the Speedo Small Wheelie Bag.  I have the old model but the new Wheelie Bag is even more versatile then the one I have!  Since I keep my gear in the bag for the most part I just unzip the bag and let everything air out.  Since the opening is bigger then a traditional bag it's also easier to pack and jam more stuff in it like fins and a kickboard.  Now we all know how heavy backpacks are so the fact that one can just wheel this around makes it a perfect bag for us tired and sore swimmers.  It's wheels being it's strength of the bag is also it's weakness as it is hard to jam in some lockers.  A soft back back you can stuff in but the wheel area is hard plastic so it can be a challenge fitting in tight spaces.  Keep that in mind but remember WHEELS make is so much easier then carrying a bag around.

• Wheelie speedo bag.
    - Hand is retractable for easy stowage.
    - Inline wheels for smooth rolling.
    - Front exterior wet pockets are ideal for storage your wet gear.
• Measures: 12" x 11.5" x 19.5".
• Imported.

Available at Speedousa.com

Also at Swimoutlet.com

No matter which bag you give as a gift your swimmer will be very happy!  Hey, they may even swim faster!