In just a few short days – beginning on June 25, 2012 – the USA Olympic Swim Team will begin broadcasting their Olympic swim team trials nationwide on NBC.  The trials will run through July 2, 2012.  Growing up a Texas gal, swimming has always been a huge hit with me.  I have many fond memories of being a young girl and spending hours upon hours of my summer days while hanging at the pool with my friends.  We'd always watch the Summer Olympics on TV and when the swim competitions were on, my Dad and I enjoyed tuning in.  There's just something exciting and beautiful about watching the human body move methodically and almost effortlessly like that through water.  It's just breathtaking to me!

And, as it turns out, I am not alone.  Did you know that fans rank swimming as their favorite summer Olympic sport?  I think as fans there is just something engaging about watching that sport because all of us realize how much those athletes have done to prepare and how much work has gone into realizing their dreams of Olympic greatness!  Gives me goosebumps!!

Speaking of work, check out this amazing time-lapse video of the Olympic Time Trials pool being built.  It's incredible!

 

Last week I was honored {and excited} to have had the opportunity to participate in a special Q&A session with the ladies from USA Swimming and two former Olympic Swimming Medalists to learn all about a fantastic online resource for moms, SwimToday.org.  It provides moms with a one-stop shop to get all the information we need to make entering the sport of swimming as easy as possible. The site is packed with tons of local resources including how to find a place to swim in your area, how to self-assess your ability, and facts and tips that help you understand the benefits of swimming and fitness.  I live in the Kansas City metro area and was in awe at the number of resources I found just in my local area!  My two older kids are actually really strong swimmers and would like enjoy being part of a swim team but I didn't realize there were so many options!  Upon visiting the SwimToday.org website, I have identified at least two nearby teams that my kids are able to join.  I am very excited to get more info from those resources to see where it might lead for them!  The site truly has so much information for kids at any and every level of instruction:

I truly believe that swimming is a fundamental skill that ALL children should be taught to embrace. Not just because I know it to be such great exercise, but because of how important it is for them with regard to water safety.  One of the facts I learned while on the call last week was that drowning is the 2nd-leading cause of accidental death for kids ages 1-14.  This fact is downright scary.  But you know what?  Swimming lessons can reduce that risk of drowning by 80%!  Now THAT is truly something to get excited about! 

There were also several other bits of info I found interesting and hope you will too:

Q: At what age should I start teaching my child to swim?

A: Most places that offer swim lessons begin when the child is six months old, but there are places that do “Mommy and Me” classes as an introduction to water at an even younger age.

Q: What is the right age for kids to start learning swim strokes?  Should young kids focus on strokes or fundamentals?

A: It depends on what you are comfortable teaching them.  Focus on the fundamentals first, but if they know the fundamentals, you can move on and teach the strokes whenever they seem ready.  The goal is for kids to have fun and be safe and comfortable around the water.

Q: How can I give my child the confidence to swim without arm floaties?

A: USA Swimming advocates against flotation devices, because they can give kids a false sense of security.  Try to avoid any kind of flotation aid, and get your child in swimming lessons.  There is no substitute for professional swimming instruction, and instructors are trained to help kids with their fear of the water and help them acclimate to the water at their own pace. 

Q: What are the expenses for swimming lessons and team swimming?

A: It varies by location and club, but a full session of swim lessons (approximately 8 lessons) generally costs about $50. USA Swimming partners with about 525 participating clubs nationwide on their Make a Splash charitable effort, which provides every child in America with the opportunity to learn to swim.  Swim clubs on SwimToday.org with a water drop next to their name provide a designated number of swimming lessons for free or at a discounted cost.  The distribution of free or discounted lessons is club-dependent, and you can ask your local club about it directly.  If expense is a concern, visit SwimToday.org and enter your ZIP code to find out if a swim club in your area is a Make a Splash partner.  More about Make a Splash can be found here.

Q: For kids interested in competitive swimming, what type of time commitment should they expect?

A: Summer league teams require a minimal time commitment, take place during just the summer months and are a great way to get kids started in swimming.  Summer leagues are often offered through local YMCAs.  The actual club teams usually have two-hour practices each day, which are similar to the time commitment involved in other sports like basketball or soccer.  The club finder tool on SwimToday.org will help you locate clubs with competitive swimming programs that fit your family’s needs.

Q: What are the health benefits of swimming?

A: Swimming is one of the best all-around exercises out there for toning your body.  It is better for your knees than running, and it’s very good for your cardiovascular health.  In addition, being active generally sets a good example for kids. 

Q: What is your advice to moms of young athletes in general?

A: The most important thing is to allow kids to make their own decisions regarding their sport, and to make sure they enjoy it.  Encourage them to try new sports and identify what they love to do, rather than starting them in just one sport from a young age.  If they want to take a break from their competitive sport and the intense training, allow them to do so.  Burnout is very real.

Q: How can we support the swimmers involved in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials June 25 – July 2?

A: Tweet using the #SwimToday hashtag, follow @USA_Swimming on Twitter (where you can also find Twitter IDs for U.S. swimmers competing in the Trials), encourage your friends and family to watch the trials and cheer the athletes on, and host Olympic watch parties using Splash Bash resources from USA Swimming:

I hope you're as pumped as I am about the Olympic swimming trials beginning this weekend.  I am so excited that I'll be hosting a Splash Bash watch party in my home for my kids and their friends!  If you are excited and want to do the same, you can download some fun party essentials here from the Splash Bash page!

GO TEAM USA!!

{Disclosure: This post was part of a partnership with The Motherhood and USA Swimming, however all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. No one is the boss of me!}