USA Swimming's *SwimToday.org*, 2012 Olympics & Valuable Swimming Tips #SwimToday

The Summer Olympics begin very soon (on July 27th to be exact) and we are excited to watch what takes place in London this year. One of our all time favorite events to watch is of course, swimming. If you are gearing up to watch the Olympic Games just as we are, make sure to tune into NBC to watch the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials beginning June 25th and run through July 2nd. I mean, really... how can you not get excited... check out the construction to pool for the trials... 

Last week I had an opportunity to participate in an online virtual meeting hosted by TheMotherhood and USA Swimming. During the session, I was fortunate to speak with not only a wonderful group of women, but also two Olympic Swimming Gold and Silver Medalists - Lindsay Mintenko and Emily Silver.


What I was thrilled to learn was that USA Swimming wants to make it very easy for people to learn to start swimming, including children. Their website, SwimToday.org offers an amazing amount of information for all skill levels. What I found impressive was there is a small Swimmer's quiz that a user can take to identify either their own or their child's swimming level. SwimToday.org offers a  tons of information and local resources for individuals, families, and primarily, moms. On the site, you can search for local places to swim, take lessons, tip and training techniques, the added benefits of swimming and so much more. 

Here are just a few reasons why you should teach your children to swim:

• Approximately 10 people drown every day in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and more than one in five fatal drowning victims are children younger than 14.
• Drowning is also a silent killer—most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time, according to the Present P. Child Drowning study.
• 60-70 percent of African-American and Hispanic children cannot swim, and only 13 percent of kids who come from a non-swimming household will ever learn to swim, according to a national research study by the USA Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis.
• While children learn at different rates, USA Swimming typically considers a full-series of swimming lessons to be 8 lessons.

Some benefits of competitive swimming:

• Swimming provides a low-impact, full-body workout, and is a great way to get active.
• Swim teams are great social outlets
• As both an individual and team sport, swimming teaches important lessons like goal-setting, work ethic and discipline.

If you are as excited to watch the USA Swimming Olympic Trials as we are or even host your own Splash Bash viewing party, make sure to get your festive Party Kit. Another great reason to host a summer get-together! 


Want more, follow USA Swimming on Twitter: @USA_swimming. You can also view the National Team Member list to follow your favorite swimmers.


Now tell me, who's your favorite soon-to-be Olympic swimmer?


[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I partnered with USA Swimming and TheMotherhood on this compensated post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." See ace and friends Disclosure Policy HERE.] Pin It