Sunday's Swim Report - Even More Reasons To Start Swimming Today & Other Swi Bits

Lane 1 - US Masters Swimming posts "MonoMermaid. The Olympic champion’s other breathless aquatic adventures.  In addition to Hyman’s career as an elite swimmer, she also moonlighted as a Finswimmer. Finswimming is a nontraditional form of swimming with a monofin that gained some traction in the late 1990s but never really took off in the United States."

Lane 2 - Maurice Lacroix posts "James Magnussen, YOUR TIME IS NOW.  Discover what drives our brand ambassador James Magnussen to reach the top as 100m freestyle world champion during an interview by the Swiss waters.  YOUR TIME IS NOW."

Lane 3 - PopSugar posts "10 Reasons to Start Swimming Now! From toning your core to speeding up your metabolism, there are several reasons why you should consider swimming your new go-to form of exercise all year long."

Lane 4 - Fay Observer posts "How Fayetteville people realized their fitness goals.  
How she did it: As a competitive swimmer, weight wasn't an issue for Katie Randolph, right, when she was growing up.  It was only after she had her first baby that her problems started, she said.  Her first pregnancy resulted in a 70-pound weight gain, Randolph said, pounds that were hard to shed.  About four months later, a friend talked her into joining a gym, and they began a workout plan together."

Lane 5 - London Evening Standard posts "Swimming on waves of rage through a tide of vitriol.  Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas (Atlantic Books, £12.99)"

Lane 6 - Loudoun Times posts "Olympic medalist swimmer Torres visits Foxcroft.  Dara Torres enjoyed immense success and longevity as a competitive swimmer. The 12-time Olympic medalist shared her story with Foxcroft students and faculty Jan. 8 during a visit to the Middleburg school."

Lane 7 - Maurice Lacroix posts "James Magnussen cover shoot with Fitness First Magazine.  Don't miss exclusive moments of James Magnussen's cover shoot with Fitness First magazine!"

Lane 8 - Perth Now posts "Meet the WA scientists racing to stop fatal shark attacks.    AS WA's new bait-and-kill shark measure starts this week, PETER LAW looks at how WA scientists are in a technology race to make our beaches safer.  The project is led by Winthrop Professor Mohammed Bennamoun, who previously used cameras to analyse the movements of Australian Olympic swimmers."

Are The Swimmers Of Mass Destruction Back On Target?

Lane 1 - Gainesville.com posts "UF students react to Lochte's reality show.  While reactions were mixed — and while the inaugural show flopped in the ratings — those who watched the premiere locally seemed more interested in seeing how Gainesville was portrayed and less interested in seeing Lochte in a Speedo."

Lane 2 - Courier Mail posts (w/video) "Magnussen claims 100m freestyle gold.  World champion James Magnussen has claimed the 100m freestyle final at the national championships in SA."

The Sydney Morning Herald posts "Toned-down but still fast.  James Magnussen says he does not need the chest-thumping and questionable behaviour of his alter ego ''The Missile'' to regain the confidence he is still seeking in the aftermath of a below-par London Olympic Games and consequences of the infamous Stilnox bonding session."

Lane 3 - Herald Sun posts "James Roberts blames virus for disappointing London Olympics performance.  SWIMMER James Roberts has revealed he was hospitalised with a stomach virus and lost 4kg in body weight just a few weeks before the London Olympics where the Weapons of Mass Destruction flopped to fourth."

Lane 4 - Athletic Business posts "Want to Host World's Largest Swimming Lesson? Hurry Up! Aquatics facility operators have less than three weeks left to register to participate in the World's Largest Swimming Lesson™. For the fourth consecutive year, the event — scheduled for 11 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, June 18 — will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson."

Lane 5 - The Guardian posts "Leanne Shapton: 'The idea for the novel came from my raging jealousy'.  The New York-based author talks about her boundary-testing book.  Her more recent account of her early career as a trainee Olympic swimmer, Swimming Studies, was celebrated everywhere – but was unconventional, too, with its photos of swimming costumes and watery sketches. In Was She Pretty?, now published for the first time in the UK, she is back at the drawing board with a subversive catalogue of ex-girlfriends."

Lane 6 - Fast Casual posts "Olympic gold medalist Summer Sanders named as Jamba Juice spokesperson.  Jamba Juice Co. announced today that TV sports commentator and former Olympic champion swimmer Summer Sanders will serve as a company spokesperson and member of the Jamba Healthy Living Council."

Lane 7 - Team USA posts "FIRST: The Story of the London 2012 Olympic Games" cinema event features stories from first-time Olympic athletes.  "I can't wait to see 'FIRST' and relive the exciting events of last summer," said Missy Franklin, four-time Olympic gold medalist. "Not only am I honored to be a part of this film, but I'm also excited to experience the Olympic journeys of the other amazing athletes involved in this project."

Lane 8 - The Sydney Morning Herald posts "Csortan quits Celebrity Splash over injuries.  Laura Csortan says enthusiasm got the better of her when training for Celebrity Splash and it's why she sustained an injury that forced her to quit the show.  The diving competition between 14 personalities premiered on the Seven Network on Monday night, however Csortan withdrew before the first episode because of neck and back problems."

Paperback Release: in the water they can't see you cry

Amanda Beard's book has been released in paperback! She will be doing a book signing April 18th in Tucson, AZ at the Barnes and Noble at 5130 E. Broadway starting at 7pm.

Saturday's Swim Report: Swimming, It's Not Just A Bunch Of Rowdy Boys Eating Vegemite

Lane 1 - ESPN posts "Bob Bowman, Dave Salo to coach U.S..  Bob Bowman will coach the U.S. men's team and Dave Salo will guide the women's team at this summer's world swimming championships in Barcelona, Spain.  The world championships will be July 19-Aug. 4."

Lane 2 - The University of Maine post via youtube "UMaine swimmer/breast cancer survivor Nicole Langlois.  Winning the battle against cancer with help from her team."

Lane 3 - Auckland Now posts "Pool bout benefits sick kids.   Comedian Guy Williams isn't one to shy away from a challenge.  But he may have bitten off a bit more than he could chew challenging a former Olympian and an 11-year-old rising swimming star to a battle in the pool.  Williams donned his Speedos to take on swimming champion Moss Burmester and Sandringham youngster Eva Williams in a butterfly stroke race at the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre to launch this year's Cure Kids Red Nose Day appeal."

Lane 4 - The Baltimore Sun posts "Michael Phelps new adventure in reality TV land.  “I’m 27. I’m retired. But I still want to compete.”  That’s Olympic champion Michael Phelps talking in “The Haney Project,” a Golf Channel series that stars Tiger Woods’ one-time coach taking on a new celebrity student each season. Phelps’ words pretty much summarize the premise of this year’s edition, which starts Monday night.  In the past, Hank Haney’s celebrity pupils have included Ray Romano, Rush Limbaugh, Charles Barkley and Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine. This season, the student is the swimmer from Baltimore who won 18 gold medals in Olympic competition."

Lane 5 - Greek Reporter posts "Tsiolkas’ Book Taps Aussie Swim Culture.  he new book written by Greek author Christos Tsiolkas is expected to be published in October, his fifth, and five years after his previous novel The Slap.  The main character is an Australian swimmer who made ​​many sacrifices to become an Olympic champion, “but life had other plans.”  The theme is timely after the recent revelations about doping in sport in Australia. The report by Australia’s Crime Commission describes doping by “multiple players” in many teams, across a number of different professional sports."

Lane 6 - CQ News posts "Olympic swimmer Kenrick Monk says he'll be back for more.   MORE high-profile athletes need to visit rural areas.  That is the opinion of Olympic swimmer Kenrick Monk who spent a weekend in Clermont, training the Dysart and Clermont Dolphins swimming clubs.  "These visits need to happen a lot more - high-profile athletes need to come out," Monk said.  "The first thing I'll be saying when I'm back home is 'contact country squads and get out there and show them'.  "I saw a lot of talent. They could be our future swimmers."

Lane 7 - WebProNews posts "Watch Aquaman Feed Cyborg To A Shark In Injustice: Gods Among Us.  This week’s first match up is between Aquaman and Cyborg. The recently revealed King of Atlantis has quite a formidable move set. I might also mention that his special has him feeding Cyborg to a shark."

Lane 8 - Portland Business Journal posts "Portland lacks the mettle for Olympics.  According to the New York Times, the U.S. Olympic Committee sent letters to mayors of 35 American cities asking whether their towns could serve as venues for what will be the 33rd Olympiad. That, in turn, has generated speculation about which cities could be in the running."

Wednesday's Swim Report - Phelps Buys Horse To Start Water Polo Leaque

Lane 1 - Triathlete Europe posts "Olympic Swimmer Makes a Splash With MILK.  Olympic swimmer makes a splash with MILK skincare.  Michael Klim is best known as one of Australia’s most successful swimmers of all time. He is a world champion, a world record holder and three-time Olympian (with medals from all three, including two gold). Milk is Michael’s latest triumph, here’s his story: “Australia’s climate is pretty harsh, and that coupled with hours in the pool, made looking after my skin tough. I couldn’t find a product that was right for me, so I made my own. It’s called Milk. A fresh, easy-to-use set of products, made using natural marine-based ingredients (such as brown seaweed and algae extracts). Personally researched, tested and created by me. Milk is about helping guys feel good about their skin and relaxed about taking care of it. I’ve really enjoyed developing it and I know you’ll enjoy using it”  MILK is a savvy and relaxed set of men’s skincare products, created with the highest quality marine-based ingredients, filling a gap in premium, yet affordable men’s skin care."

Lane 2 - The Baltimore Sun posts "Michael Phelps visits Graham Motion at Maryland training center.  Olympic champion Michael Phelps has interest in horse racing thanks to coach Bob Bowman.  Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time and current Canton dweller, headed north to visit another of the state's most successful sportsmen, horse trainer Graham Motion.  Phelps and Bowman have talked about buying a horse, though I don't believe they've done so as of yet. They've talked with California-based trainer Bob Baffert about conditioning the horse, but maybe they'll decided to stay closer to home."

Lane 3 - Trinidad Express posts "In-form Bovell gearing up for World Championships.  If ace Trinidad and Tobago swimmer George Bovell III has his way, something special could be right around the corner, with the FINA World Short Course Championships due to swim off on December 12-16 in Istanbul, Turkey.  Bovell left T&T yesterday evening for Turkey, where he will try to get a few days' rest and fine tune preparations for the meet."  Meanwhile Trinidad and Tobago Newsday posts "Bovell III now ambassador for Atlantic.  THE Western Hemisphere’s largest liquid natural gas producer, Atlantic, recently signed four- time Olympian and national swimmer George Bovell III as the company’s official Sports Ambassador."

Lane 4 - Telegraph posts "Rebecca Adlington to discuss issues with British Swimming with chief executive David Sparkes.  David Sparkes, the chief executive of British Swimming, will meet Rebecca Adlington next week to discuss her concerns about the sport’s future direction after the former double Olympic champion launched a scathing attack on the lack of consultation with competitors during a recent inquiry into the failings of the GB squad at London 2012."

Lane 5 - Swimming World posts "Masters World Records Tumble in Long Beach.  Matt Biondi breaks world record in Masters debut; Five swimmers break multiple records."

Lane 6 - Youtube posts "Dara Torres, The Haul.  Dara Torres showing off her huge HAUL from Kohl's."

Lane 7 - HLN posts via youtube "'If you can't stand up, stand out!'  She's a competitive swimmer, a graphic designer and all her friends call her the "flirt." Her name is Mia Schaikewitz and she just so happens to be in a wheelchair, too. And three of her friends also happen to be in wheelchairs, but this isn't what defines them.The group is starring in a new reality show called "Push Girls," which airs Mondays at 10pm ET on the Sundance Channel, and they hope to show people just how they "roll."

Lane 8 - Tressugar posts "Books by Inspiring Female Olympians on Age, Body Image, and More.  In the Water They Can't See You Cry: A Memoir.  Swimmer Amanda Beard chronicles her struggle with depression and self-abuse in her memoir, In the Water They Can't See You Cry…Age Is Just a Number.  From her buzzed-about Olympic comeback to defying age stereotypes, Dara Torres covers it all in Age Is Just a Number: Achieve Your Dreams at Any Stage in Your Life."

The 17 Days Of Swimming. Day Eleven - Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel

I have the iBook on my iPad and whenever I'm having a blue moment I open it up and just look at these cute pups.  Cute pups in water!  The perfect swimmer gift book! 

More about "UNDERWATER DOGS" - The Book!

"Underwater Dogs" by Seth Casteel is a New York Times Best Seller 4 weeks in a row! The book features dozens of never-before-seen photos starring new "underwater models". A pug. 12 week-old puppies. A wolf. And that's just the beginning!

About Seth Casteel:  Our pets are our friends --- our Little Friends! And they mean the world to us! Each of them has a unique and awesome personality, but it can be difficult to capture in a photograph.

Based in Los Angeles and Chicago and available nation-wide, Little Friends Photo specializes in lifestyle pet photography, embracing the at-ease mentality of pets on-location in their natural surroundings. The results are spontaneous, priceless moments of your pet's unique personality captured in photographs that will last forever. - littlefriendsphoto.com

Buy on iTunes

Sunday's Swim Report - 2012 Golden Swim Cap for Best Hair

Lane 1 - Sport Industry TV posts via youtube "Sport Industry Summit 2012: Van der Burgh & Graham Hill.  Swimming coach of Olympic gold medalist Cameron Van der Burgh, Graham Hill, calls on brands to support swimming, with the sport in desperate need of financial support after Telkom ending its sponsorship earlier this year. Speaking at the inaugural Sport Industry Summit, Hill was part of the concluding panel of the ground-breaking day alongside the Olympic gold medallist and world record-breaker Cameron."

Lane 2 - The Standard posts "Kirsty to make a comeback.  SEVEN-time Olympic medalist Kirsty Coventry ends her sabbatical next weekend when she takes part in the inaugural Troutbeck Mile Open Water Swim in Nyanga."

Lane 3 - NSW institute of sport posts via youtube "2011 NSWIS Male Athlete of the Year.  NSWIS swimmer James Magnussen wins the ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year award at the 2011 NSWIS Awards Dinner."

Lane 4 - New Zealand Herald posts "Swimming: Cut puts swim coach's job on the line.  As Swimming New Zealand readies for a high performance funding cut after no Olympic medals in the last 16 years, one of the governing body's three top coaches could be axed as part of cost savings.  Mark Regan, Scott Talbot and Gary Hurring are listed as "high performance coaches" on the SNZ website. However, next month, the sport is expected to be relegated to 'contestable' or annual high performance funding rather than 'targeted' funding over the four-year Olympic cycle.  As a result, the coaching budget will face scrutiny, especially with SNZ's intention to appoint an additional "performance director", who would sit over the coaches."

Lane 5 - Vox Sports posts via youtube "FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup 2012 Pre-Event Media Session.  The FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup competition is back here in Singapore again and this year we got to speak to Anthony Ervin and Jessica Hardy from USA and our very own swimmer from Team Singapore, Tao Li."

Lane 6 - ChoSun posts "Olympic Swimmer Park Rediscovers Appetite for Competing.  Olympic medalist Park Tae-hwan is set to plan the next chapter of his career with coach Michael Bohl. At a press conference Wednesday the swimmer said he plans to discuss training plans with Bohl on Nov. 13 in Brisbane, Australia.  On the possibility of taking part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he said, "I don't think it'll be too late to think about that after the Asian Games."  Park's sponsorship deal with SK Telecom ended in September, as did his contract with Bohl. He will meet with the coach to discuss renewing the partnership.  Park, who has amassed an Olympic gold in the 400-m freestyle from Beijing 2008 and six Asian Games gold medals, has yet to set a world record."

Lane 7 - Harrow Observer posts "Sports book review: This is Me, by Ian Thorpe.  Many readers might expect a ‘standard’ Aussie sporting character to emerge from This Is Me: committed, strong and possessing a fierce will to win, but this would cover only part of Thorpe’s extraordinary story. It’s incredible to learn that this jaunty, seemingly happy-go-lucky man has, in his own words, suffered ‘crippling depression’ and even contemplated suicide. During his worst bouts, Thorpe would turn to alcohol, because, he reveals, “it was the only way I could get to sleep.”  It’s a staggering admission from a man who, at the age of 14, became the youngest male swimmer to represent Australia and went on to become the youngest ever individual male world champion."

Lane 8 - Daily Record posts " Only Scottish female swimmer to strike Olympic gold inducted into hall of fame.  GOVAN girl BELLE MOORE to receive recognition 100 years after winning gold at the Stockholm Games."

BONUS:  2012 Golden Swim Cap for Best Hair goes to Anthony Ervin!

Swim Book Club - THE UNDERWATER WINDOW by Dan Stephenson

I may not be Oprah but I do like to read swimming themed books including both fiction and non-fiction.  Next up on my shelf is The Underwater Window by Dan Stephenson.  Here is a bit about the book...

An excerpt from THE UNDERWATER WINDOW

A novel by Dan Stephenson



From the author:

In the early chapters of THE UNDERWATER WINDOW, Doyle Wilson has to decide whether to keep swimming or move on with his life at age 24. This is a tough decision for many swimmers, who have invested so much time and effort chasing dreams that are hard to give up. Jason Lezak is one of the few swimmers to reach his peak after age 30. He recently qualified for his fourth Olympic team at age 36.

---Dan Stephenson, author of THE UNDERWATER WINDOW.

For me, the hero of the 2008 Olympics was Jason Lezak. I know, most people say Michael Phelps was the hero, with his eight gold medals. Phelps was phenomenal, but he was expected to win. What Lezak did was not only surprising, it taught young swimmers an unforgettable lesson: never give up.

Jason Lezak anchored the 4 x 100 freestyle relay for the USA team. He started more than half a second behind Alain Bernard of France and passed him on the final stroke to win. To understand the significance of this, you have to go back eight years.

Lezak was a solid sprinter and relay swimmer even before 2008. He swam in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and picked up a handful of relay medals in those Games. In 2000, he was on the favored USA team in the 400 freestyle relay. Gary Hall, Jr., the star on that relay, had promised that the Americans would “smash the Australians like guitars.” The Australians won, and Lezak had to watch as the Australians mockingly strummed their air guitars.

In the 2004 Olympics, Michael Phelps was trying for seven gold medals and he ended up with six. One of his missed chances was in the 400 freestyle relay, an event the Americans had a chance to win, but lost handily to the South Africans and the Dutch. Lezak was on the American relay and watched the South Africans celebrate.

In 2008, Phelps was trying for eight gold medals in eight events in order to best the Mark Spitz standard of seven-for-seven. He was favored in every event except one: the 400 freestyle relay. The French team was dominant, and its star, Bernard, owned the 100-meter freestyle individual world record. On the eve of the Games, Bernard was asked about the relay and reportedly said, “The Americans? We’re going to smash them. That’s what we came here for.”

Lezak had the pressure of past U.S. failures, Bernard’s taunt, and Phelps’s gold medal quest all on his shoulders. When he dove off, Lezak was .65 seconds behind Bernard. Bernard pulled further away on the first 50, touching with his feet at 21.20, the fastest 50 meters ever swum. Lezak came out of the turn almost a full second behind—an eternity in a sprint.

“I’m not going to lie,” Lezak said later. “When I flipped at the 50, it really crossed my mind for a split second that there was no way.” Then he told himself, “I don’t care how bad it hurts or whatever,” and he got down to business. With 25 meters to go, Bernard still had a commanding lead. With ten meters left, Bernard started tying up. Lezak stayed strong. Bernard lost his stroke and flailed weakly into the wall, turning to peek at Lezak just before the end. Lezak kept plugging, and touched .08 seconds ahead of Bernard. The Americans won, and Phelps was on his way to eight golds with an assist from Jason Lezak.

Lezak won only one individual Olympic medal, a bronze in the 100 freestyle in Beijing, an event won by Bernard three days after the relay duel. He was a good swimmer. But on August 11, 2008, for 46.06 seconds, Jason Lezak was beyond good—he was great. He rose above himself and went seven tenths faster than his next best swim. He swam out of his skin, out of his mind. On that day, at that time, in that place, he transcended his training and his past. He exceeded the sum of his parts.

Excerpted from THE UNDERWATER WINDOW © 2012 by Dan Stephensen. Excerpted with permission from the author. All Rights Reserved.

Dan Stephenson’s website
http://www.danstephensonauthor.com

THE UNDERWATER WINDOW Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/TheUnderwaterWindow

Disclosure and Relationships Statement - I received a paperback copy of this book.  I was under no obligation to post about the book.  But some of the the thoughts, words, and randomness on this page are mine.

Sunday's Swim Report - Let's Get Back To The Pool

The Swim Report IS BACK!  Happy April Fools!  Back to swimming news...

Lane 1 - CBS13 posts (w/video) "Lack Of Vision Doesn’t Stop Young Swimmer.  A born swimmer, the first grader began taking lessons at sixteen months old. At about the age of two, he was swimming freestyle across the pool and he kind of shocked everybody.  You would never know by looking at him, but Jeffrey is legally blind. He was born with a rare genetic eye condition. He has no color vision whatsoever.  So things, many of us take for granted, are difficult for Jeffrey."

Lane 2 - Brisbane Times posts "Ian Thorpe was shattered at missing out on the team for the 2012 London Olympics but the 29-year-old was all smiles when promoting his Fountain of Youth Charity last week. Kate Waterhouse caught up with the swimming great."

Lane 3 - Inside The Games posts "British swim star signs with three60 Sports Management ahead of London 2012.  Joe Roebuck, the only male swimmer to qualify for three events at the London 2012 Olympics, has signed with three60 Sports following his superb performances at the British Gas Swimming Championships staged at the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park last month.  The 26-year-old from Rotherham was the most successful British male swimmer at the Championships, which also acted as the London 2012 swimming test event, where he secured gold in both the 200 metres butterfly and 200m individual medley as well as a silver medal in the 400m individual medley."

Lane 4 - The Daily Telegraph posts "James Magnussen tours London's Olympic pool.  AMES Magnussen hasn't been allowed to test the waters of London's Olympic pool yet, but he has already set foot atop the fastest qualifier's lane four starting block.  That's where, if all goes according to plan and he stays that half a second in front of the rest of the world, Magnussen will start the August 1 100m freestyle final.  The Missile last week had the opportunity to tour the aquatic centre for this year's Games - it's a sneak preview he'll put to good use in the remaining three months.  "It can be hard for me to picture the race itself, I always just try to picture the outcome and keep positive thoughts about that outcome," Magnussen said."

Lane 5 - Sport24 posts "Road to London: Cameron vd Burgh.  In the third in a series of Q 'n A style interviews with South African sportsmen and women ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Graeme Joffe chats to South African swimming sensation, Cameron van der Burgh."

Lane 6 - Huffpost Miami posts "Verso Performance: Miami's Synchronized Swimming Show Team.  magine a cocktail party in a revamped Wynwood warehouse, a satellite soiree during Art Basel. At one point, the house lights dim and women dive into a narrow pool in the floor.  Donned in bathing caps and Esther Williams-style suits, the swimmers dip, jump, and flip in synch. This is Verso, Miami's very own synchronized swimming show team.  They've performed at experimental art shows in the Design District, art fairs during Art Basel Miami Beach, and in Miami Beach Swim Fashion Week shows."

Lane 7 - WA Today posts "Shark fears could affect triathlons.  Organisers of a national triathlon competition for students in Busselton this week are re-assessing their plans for an ocean swim section following the weekend's fatal shark attack in the area.  Father-of-two Peter Kurmann died on Saturday afternoon after being mauled by a shark - believed to be a great white - while diving about one nautical mile off shore, south of Stratham Beach."

Lane 8 - Winnipeg Free Press looks at "Swim team not allowed to race in 1980 due to boycott honoured at Olympic trials.  Szmidt, Smith and Thompson are one of several athletes featured in a new book "Shattered Hopes: Canada's Boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games" by Sheila Hurtig Robertson.  The book includes athletes, coaches and decision-makers across several sports recounting their experiences in 1980. The swim team was poised to bring home multiple medals from Moscow.  "This team is part of Canadian swimming's history, a story that really hasn't been told or really didn't get a chance to unfold," Thompson said."

Pony Tidbit - A few hours of Pony News drew more hits to this site then a months worth of swimming news. 

Friday's Swim Report - One Swimmer Is The Loneliest Number

Lane 1 - WSJ reads "Swim: Why We Love the Water.  Taking the Plunge.  Swimming is the most isolating of sports. Even long-distance runners have scenery to look at. Swimmers can (sort of) see and hear, but they are mostly in tune with their own minds and bodies. What is there to say about such a solitary and inward experience?  Plenty, as it turns out. In "Swim: Why We Love the Water," Lynn Sherr, a former ABC News correspondent, provides almost too much information about swimming, but she pulls us into the subject because she wears her learning lightly and interweaves it within her version of a quest romance: Can this 60-something grandmother achieve her goal and swim the Hellespont—the legendary strait that runs between the Aegean Sea and Turkey's interior?"

Lane 2 - AFP posts "For teen star Franklin it's prom first, then Olympics.  Missy Franklin will likely be one of America's top medal hopes at the London Olympics, but first the swimming superstar needs to find a dance dress suitable for her 1.85-meter frame.  "I'm actually in the hunt for a prom dress right now, which is really difficult," Franklin said as she prepared for this week's Indianapolis Grand Prix, the fifth stop on USA Swimming's Olympic-year series."

Lane 3 - NZ City posts "Kiwi Olympic swim team named.  A 12-strong New Zealand swimming team has been named for the London Olympics."

Lane 4 - The Telegraph posts "London 2012 Olympics diary: James Magnussen to try out Aquatics Centre – but not the pool.  The fastest 100m freestyle swimmer in the world – James "The Missile" Magnussen visited London this week for some pre-Games promotions but won't get a chance to swim in the Olympic Aquatics Centre.  Magnussen, an Australian, said he would don his budgie smugglers inside the centre to get a feel for what it might be like at the end of July.  "I'll just strip down to the swimmers and walk up and down the side of the pool and try and get a feel for it, something like that," said Magnussen, 20."

Lane 5 - Metro posts "Swimmer David Davies to make Olympic farewell at London 2012 .  British long-distance swimmer David Davies says London 2012 will 'definitely' be his last Olympic Games.  The 27-year-old from Barry in South Wales, who has won silver and bronze medals at the last two Games, says he may even retire altogether after the summer.   'I'm probably 90% sure that I will finish, but there is no point planning it because you don't know what happens in sport - it's a hard decision to make,' he said."

Lane 6 - The Star posts "Olympic rings and a red Maple Leaf over his broken heart. One of Canada’s top swimmers for the past decade, Brown retired after missing a medal by 9/100ths of a second at the Beijing Games. He launched a comeback 18 months later and was regarded as a good bet to make it to London until he became completely unravelled Thursday night, finishing a distant fourth in the 200-metre breaststroke at the Olympic trials. He was completely devastated afterwards, bolting from the pool. He took about 10 minutes to compose himself before talking to the media. He then broke into tears and required another five minutes. Heck, the 28-year-old from Perth, Ont., had poured everything into his comeback, only to have it go awry at the most critical time."

Lane 7 - USA TODAY posts "Nathan Adrian beats Phelps after ripping suit on blocks.  In one sense, you could say sprinter Nathan Adrian tore past Michael Phelps to win the 100-meter freestyle Thursday night at the Indianapolis Grand Prix swimming meet.  Adrian's victory wasn't even the main topic of conversation - he did it after splitting his trunks on the starting blocks."

Lane 8 - Indy Star posts 'Olympics medalist Dara Torres keeps her swimming goals within reason.  This comeback effort by 44-year-old mom involves only 50 freestyle.  Being an inspiration? That Dara Torres can handle. It's the perspiration that is painful.  For instance, at 44, she is not trying to make the U.S. Olympic team as part of the 400-meter freestyle relay, even if six spots are available. Prelims, semifinals and final at June's Olympic Trials? That is not happening.  "I can't swim 100 three times in a row. My body will not do that," she said Thursday.  She can swim a 50, and still do it faster than almost anyone half her age. To swim in a sixth Olympic Games, she must be in the top two at the trials."