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Tag: Swimming

  • Physical activity can extend your life, but varying your exercises is particularly beneficial

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    People who like to change up their exercise routines are in good shape.

    It’s the variety of workouts, not just the amount and duration of exercise, that really counts when it comes to extending one’s lifespan, a study published Tuesday suggests.

    MORE: Why do colds cause the sniffles in some people and severe illness in others?

    “If the total amount of physical activity is kept constant, you will get additional benefits from doing a mix of physical activities,” Han Han, a Harvard postdoctoral research fellow, told NewScientist.

    For the study, Harvard researchers analyzed data collected from 111,000 adults over a 30-year period. People reported how much time they spent each week engaging in various physical activities including walking, running, swimming, bicycling, weight lifting, resistance training, yoga and stretching. Researchers also accounted for the amount of stairs people climbed and the amount of moderate or heavy outdoor work they did. 

    As expected, people who exercised more often had a lower risk of premature death. It ranged between 4% and 17%, depending on the average amount of exercise over the course of the study. But surprisingly, people who participated in the widest range of exercise types had a nearly 20% lower risk of premature death than people who were equally active but did a narrower variety of workouts.

    Swimming was an exception. It did not correlate with an extended lifespan – but that does not mean it isn’t a worthwhile activity, just that more research is needed into its relationship with all-cause mortality, the study said.

    The bottom line? Mix it up.

    “When deciding how to exercise, keep in mind that there may be extra health benefits to engaging in multiple types of physical activity, rather than relying on a single type alone,” Yang Hu, a study’s authors a research scientist at Harvard, said in a statement.

    Despite its large cohort and extended duration, the study had limitations. The data was based on people reporting their exercise choices and levels, which can lead to errors. Also, the participants mostly were white health care professionals – a lack of diversity that could skew the results, researchers said.

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    Courtenay Harris Bond

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  • Olympic gold-medalist Rowdy Gaines has tips for older swimmers, or if you’re returning to the pool

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    Olympic gold-medalist Rowdy Gaines has swimming tips if you’re an older swimmer, or returning to the pool after years away.

    Gaines won three Olympic gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and is widely known as the “voice of swimming” for his coverage of the Olympics with American network NBC.

    Swimming is an all-around exercise with water providing mild resistance. It’s low-impact, offers a complete workout and is suitable for all ages.

    “Of course I’m biased, but I will stack swimming against any other exercise out there, especially as we age,” Gaines told The Associated Press. “And swimming is one of the few sports you can do forever.”

    Gaines missed out on a shot at winning a handful of medals at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, which the United States boycotted. Gaines set 10 world records between 1978 and 1984 and was the heir in American sprinting to Mark Spitz and a predecessor to Michael Phelps.

    Gaines is 66 and said his 90-year-old father, Buddy, is back training for a meet for older swimmers early next year. He said his father has not swum seriously in, perhaps, 70 years.

    Gaines stayed away from advice around strokes, detailed workout plans, and specific training suggestions. His tips are geared for older swimmers and those retuning after a long layoff — perhaps decades.

    Defog your goggles, slip into the pool, grab your kickboard and let’s get motivated.

    Get your technique down

    Take time to work on your technique. Most recreational swimmers use the freestyle stroke, also known as the front crawl. But his advice also applies to breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly.

    With freestyle, Gaines preaches taking long, smooth strokes — not short, choppy ones. And for freestyle swimmers, keep your head in the water and aligned with your body.

    “Water rewards efficiency,” said Gaines, who won his three gold medals in the 100 free and two relays. “It has nothing to do with power. I think a lot of first-timers feel like they have to power their way through the water and that is not true.”

    Be patient

    Build distance and endurance slowly. Maybe a few decades ago you could swim non-stop for 30 minutes. You won’t be able to after a long time away.

    Start with a 200-yard (meter) workout. Swim 25 yards (meters) and rest until your heart rate slows. Do this eight to 10 times “and then get the heck out of the pool,” Gaines said.

    “You don’t want to overdo it to start with and then get frustrated and think you can’t do it,” he said. “You need to increase your total distance little by little.”

    Gaines suggested the goal is a 20-30 minute workout, three times per week. Swimming relies on getting a feel for the water, which requires steadfastness.

    “Three days a week is the sweet spot,” he said. “If you are doing less than three days a week, it’s really tough to develop the consistency you need.”

    Injury prevention

    This is common sense, but take time to warm up. Do this on dry land, perhaps, before hitting the water. Do stretches, work your shoulders, and work on some strength training.

    It’s no secret that some swimmers experience lots of shoulder pain.

    “You have to listen to any pain,” Gaines said. “Pain is a lot different than fatigue or strain. Pain is real. If you are feeling fatigue and strain, that’s good. If you are feeling pain, that’s bad.”

    If something hurts, stop and change your workout.

    If you swim freestyle, Gaines suggested adding in a bit of backstroke to loosen the shoulders and add strength. Breaststroke in also easier on the shoulders. Butterfly, however, is tough on the shoulders.

    Mind set — the mental game

    Gaines emphasized keeping it fun and getting comfortable in the water. Not fighting it.

    “Learn to feel the water,” he said. “The small goal of just feeling the water is much more important than many other things. Swimming is not easy. You are not always going to feel good swimming. But you are going to feel great when you’re done.”

    He also emphasized varying your workout — meaning time, distance and strokes to keep in fun and interesting.

    Hydration and training aids

    Swimmers need to stay hydrated. It’s not generally a problem for recreational swimmers, but swimmers perspire while swimming. The warmer the pool, the more this might be a problem.

    Gaines reminded that pool temperatures vary, but 80 degrees F (27 degrees C) is about right. Warmer temperatures can lead to more dehydration.

    He also suggested training aids such a swim fins, paddles or pull-buoys, which are also another part of adding variety.

    “I really don’t like to swim, but I love the feeling of being done,” Gaines said. (Remember, this revelation is from a decorated Olympic athlete.) “I crave that feeling when I get out of the water. It’s the endorphins. It’s definitely mental for me.”

    Gaines said he swims six days a week, usually between 2,000 and 2,500 yards (meters). He said about 40% is freestyle with three 20% sections of backstroke, breaststroke and kicking.

    “You want to have variety for that recreational swimmer because swimming can be boring,” Gaines said. “However, swimming can almost be meditation, even for that three-day a week, recreational swimmer.”

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    Follow AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on all aspects of wellness, at https://apnews.com/hub/be-well

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  • Concordia University told to reinstate women’s teams while Title IX lawsuit plays out

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    Concordia University’s attempt to bolster athletics with one hand while slashing four sports with the other was hampered by a federal judge who granted a preliminary injunction preventing the Division II university from dropping the women’s swimming and tennis programs.

    Seven members of the women’s swimming and diving team and two women’s tennis players allege in a sex discrimination class action lawsuit filed in August that by dropping the programs, the Irvine school is violating Title IX.

    Judge Fred W. Slaughter agreed, ordering that the injunction remain in place for the duration of the lawsuit. Concordia must immediately reinstate the women’s teams and provide them “with funding, staffing, and all other benefits commensurate with their status as varsity intercollegiate teams,” Slaughter wrote in a 19-page ruling.

    Concordia announced the cuts of the men’s and women’s swimming and tennis teams in May, stating the school had “determined that the current model is not sustainable in the midst of increasing operational costs, facility limitations, and significant changes in the collegiate athletics landscape.”

    But the cuts came at a time when Concordia was plowing $25.5 million into upgrading the university’s athletic infrastructure. A week after athletic director Crystal Rosenthal calculated the cuts would save $550,000 a year, she sent an email to unaffected athletes boasting that major improvements would be made to Concordia’s athletics infrastructure.

    Rosenthal, who is also the school’s softball coach, wrote: “We are currently in the midst of a major $17.5-million construction project that includes a new 19,000-square-foot facility featuring a state-of-the-art weight room, locker rooms, and modern training room space. This facility represents our belief in the future of our athletic programs and our student-athletes.”

    She added that more than $8 million had been earmarked for upgrades to the baseball, softball and soccer/track/lacrosse facilities — including the installation of outdoor lights.

    The lawsuit followed in August and Slaughter issued the preliminary injunction Friday. Arthur Bryant, the lawyer representing the female athletes, said that women comprised 59% of Concordia’s students but received only 51.2% of the roster spots for sports.

    “The court’s thorough, compelling decision confirms what we said from the start: CUI’s decision to eliminate the women’s swimming and diving and tennis teams was a flagrant violation of Title IX,” Bryant said in a statement. “Concordia needs to add about 100 opportunities for women to reach gender equity. It should not be eliminating any women’s teams.”

    The concurrent spending on infrastructure was particularly galling to female athletes and some alumni, according to SwimSwam. The swimming and water polo teams train off-campus and place few operational demands on the school. The swimming program had 23 men and 25 women on its rosters last season.

    Concordia, a Lutheran-affiliated school with about 1,500 undergraduates that moved from the NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2017, is one of several universities whose efforts to trim athletic programs have been thwarted by courts.

    A federal judge in Texas issued a preliminary injunction against Stephen F. Austin State in August, preventing the school from eliminating its women’s beach volleyball, bowling and golf programs. According to Sportico, at least eight other schools since 2020 have been ordered to reinstate programs after Title IX challenges: Iowa, William & Mary, UConn, Dartmouth, Clemson, East Carolina, North Carolina Pembroke and Dickinson College.

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    Steve Henson

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  • What to know about the 5th annual TRY-athlon this weekend

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    What to know about the 5th annual TRY-athlon this weekend

    INVITED TO SWIM, BIKE, RUN AND ROLL FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL TRIATHLON FOR KIDS OF ALL ABILITIES HAPPENING IN EL DORADO HILLS. JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE EVENT IS HOLLY REININGER. SHE’S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WALK WITH AUSTIN. IT’S A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. HOLLY, GOOD MORNING. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. OF COURSE. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. AND WE KNOW YOUR GROUP’S MISSION IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUN AND INCLUSION FOR KIDS OF ALL ABILITIES. HOW DOES THE EVENT TOMORROW HELP DO THAT? WELL, KIDS WITH DISABILITIES DON’T OFTEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A LARGE COMMUNITY EVENT LIKE THIS. WE MIGHT HAVE LIKE OUR OWN THING KIND OF SET OFF TO THE SIDE CHALLENGE OR BASEBALL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BUT THIS MAKES KIDS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE STAR OF THE SHOW. IN A LARGE, COMMUNITY WIDE EVENT, AND WE DID IT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES OUR KIDS ARE STUCK ON THE SIDELINES CHEERING FOR SIBLINGS OR OTHER PARENTS DOING A MARATHON OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AND SO WE REALLY THOUGHT OF A WAY TO MAKE THEM THE STAR OF THE FAMILY FOR THE DAY. EVERYONE MAKES MATCHING T SHIRTS, AND IT’S JUST AN EXCITING WAY FOR THEM TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO DO SOMETHING REALLY HARD PHYSICALLY AND BE PROUD OF YOURSELF WITH EVERYBODY CHEERING YOU ON. I LOVE THAT, AND SO WE SEE THE NAME. IT’S TRY, TRY ATHLON TRIATHLON. DESCRIBE WHAT THAT IS. BECAUSE TYPICALLY WHEN WE HEAR TRIATHLON WE’RE TALKING ABOUT TRIATHLON, RIGHT? CORRECT. EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE. YEAH. SO A TRIATHLON IS THE BIKE THE SWIM AND THE RUN. AND SO WE’RE DOING THE SAME THING. BUT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THESE KIDS MIGHT HAVE TO USE SOME ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT OR SOME COACHING ASSISTANCE. SO WE CALLED IT THE TRIATHLON BECAUSE WE REALLY WANT EVERY KID TO TRY IT AND TO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THE PROCESS. SOME OF OUR KIDS CHOOSE NOT TO EVEN SWIM. THEY’LL DO THE BIKE LAP TWICE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND WE JUST WANT IT TO BE COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZABLE FOR EVERY KID SO THAT THEY CAN EXPERIENCE IT. AND WHO’S THERE AND WHO’S THERE TO SUPPORT THE PARTICIPANTS? WELL, WE HAVE ABOUT 144 VOLUNTEERS SIGNED UP FOR TOMORROW AND 40 KIDS, SO THEY WILL BE WELL SUPPORTED. WE WE PUT ON A BIG FINISHER PARTY AT THE END. WE HAVE BOYS TEAM CHARITY AND NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE DOING CARNIVAL TYPE GAMES. WE HAVE, I THINK, 15 SPONSORS COMING TO BRING ACTIVITY BOOTHS AND GET THEIR NAME OUT THERE AND GIVE AWAY LITTLE PRIZES AND STUFF. IT’S JUST A IT’S A FULL MORNING, SO THEY GET TO DO THE TRIATHLON AND THAT’S EXCITING. BUT THEN AFTERWARD WE REALLY WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT, LIKE EVERYONE IS HERE FOR THEM TO CELEBRATE, TO MAKE IT AS EXCITING AS POSSIBLE, WE HAVE SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMING OUT AND FIRE AND THE RANCH THAT WILL BRING ANIMALS TO SHARE. SO IT’S IT’S A LOT OF FUN. I LOVE THAT, AND THIS IS THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE EVENT. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST PART FOR THE FAMILIES? I THINK THE BEST PART IS JUST KNOWING THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING. YOU’RE AMONG PEERS. NOT EVERYBODY’S DISABILITY LOOKS THE SAME, OF COURSE, BUT IN THIS ENVIRONMENT THEY KNOW THAT EVERYBODY’S KIND OF GOT THE SAME THING GOING ON IN LIFE. THEY DON’T HAVE TO BE SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING THAT MAY BE GOING ON IN THEIR FAMILY, WHETHER THAT’S PHYSICALLY OR BEHAVIORS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. AND EVEN THE ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE HERE, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LOVE ON THESE FAMILIES, BUT THEY’VE ALSO BEEN PREPPED TO KNOW, LIKE WE’RE CALLING THEM ATHLETES. WE’RE CALLING THE FAMILIES COACHES, LIKE THEY GET TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FOR THE DAY. GOT YOU. HOLLY, THANKS SO MUCH. AND REALLY QUICKLY. IS THERE STILL TIME TO REGISTER? CAN OTHER FAMILIES? THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER. WE HAVE SPACE FOR ABOUT FIVE MORE KIDS IF THEY’RE INTERESTED IN JOINING. AND OF COURSE, WE CAN TAKE AS MANY CHEERLEADERS AS WANT TO COME. ALL RIGHT, I LOVE IT. HOLLY. THANK YOU. AND WE DO HAVE SOME INFORMATION ON THE SCREEN FOR OUR VIEWERS. THE FIFTH ANNUAL TRIATHLON HAPPENS TOMORROW FROM NINE TO NOON AT EL DORADO HILLS COMMUNITY PARK. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. JUST TAKE ANY EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR PARTICIPANTS TO FINISH THE RACE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN GO TO WAL

    Kids of all abilities are invited to swim, bike, run and roll for the fifth annual TRY-Athlon this weekend in El Dorado Hills.The event takes place at the El Dorado Hills Community Park and pool from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. People are encouraged to bring any equipment they need to finish the race. Holly Reininger, the executive director of Walk With Austin, joined KCRA 3 to explain the event’s vision of fun and inclusion for kids of all abilities. Learn more in the video above or click here for more details. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. —

    Kids of all abilities are invited to swim, bike, run and roll for the fifth annual TRY-Athlon this weekend in El Dorado Hills.

    The event takes place at the El Dorado Hills Community Park and pool from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. People are encouraged to bring any equipment they need to finish the race.

    Holly Reininger, the executive director of Walk With Austin, joined KCRA 3 to explain the event’s vision of fun and inclusion for kids of all abilities.

    Learn more in the video above or click here for more details.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Shark bites long-distance swimmer crossing Catalina Channel

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    A long-distance swimmer is recovering after a rare shark bite early Tuesday morning during an open water swim from Santa Catalina Island to the Southern California mainland.

    The victim, identified only as a man in his 50s, was bitten in the Catalina Channel, a crossing of 20 miles at the shortest two points between the island and mainland coast. The victim suffered minor cuts, injuries that are not considered life-threatening, according to fire officials.

    A LAFD vessel met the crew of a follow-boat that had been monitoring the swim at about 1:30 a.m. in the middle of the Catalina Channel. The shark, which authorities said was described as a 3- to 4-foot white shark, nipped at the man’s leg and was not seen again by the crew.

    The victim, whose injury had already been wrapped when the fire department vessel arrived, was transported to a hospital for treatment.

    The cross-channel swim is part of the triple crown of open water swimming, a list that includes the English Channel and the 20 Bridges Swim off Manhattan Island.

    “It’s a pretty popular swim for long-distance swimmers,” said LAFD boat pilot Shaun Corby. “This is a super-rare incident. I don’t know what the underlying circumstances were, but shark bites are pretty minimal here.”

    Distance is one of only a few challenges for swimmers crossing the Catalina Channel, which is subject to fluctuating temperatures. Swimmers often target midnight starts to avoid strong afternoon winds and currents can be unpredictable.

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    Jonathan Lloyd

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  • Stockton residents celebrate reopening of Victory Park pool

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    Stockton residents are celebrating the reopening of the historic Victory Park pool, which has been closed since 2013 due to maintenance problems deemed beyond repair by city officials.”We’re excited,” said Judy Limon, a Stockton resident.The reopening includes the 75-foot pool, a splash pad, and other facilities. Susana Patterson, another Stockton resident, said she learned how to swim in that pool 47 years ago. “So now we get to come here and celebrate the reopening of the pool,” said Patterson.Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said it was a community effort to bring the pool back.”I get a little teary-eyed about it,” said Fugazi. “It’s been 12 years and the community has just said, ‘Don’t forget about us.’”In 2016, voters passed a sales tax to fund recreation facilities, including the pool project. Construction finally began last October.”A lot of people have been waiting and looking at the calendar every day,” said Susana Limon.For the community, the pool represents more than just a place to swim. “That’s the best part, seeing the joy on the kids’ faces and delight because they deserve to be able to be in the pool and experience this,” said Carrie Patterson.Swimming at the Victory Park pool will be free through Labor Day weekend.After this weekend, admission will be $3 per person. The pool will be open only on weekends from 12 to 6 p.m. through September.Although summer is just about over, officials say that’s how the construction schedule worked out. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    STOCKTON, Calif. —

    Stockton residents are celebrating the reopening of the historic Victory Park pool, which has been closed since 2013 due to maintenance problems deemed beyond repair by city officials.

    “We’re excited,” said Judy Limon, a Stockton resident.

    The reopening includes the 75-foot pool, a splash pad, and other facilities.

    Susana Patterson, another Stockton resident, said she learned how to swim in that pool 47 years ago.

    “So now we get to come here and celebrate the reopening of the pool,” said Patterson.

    Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said it was a community effort to bring the pool back.

    “I get a little teary-eyed about it,” said Fugazi. “It’s been 12 years and the community has just said, ‘Don’t forget about us.’”

    In 2016, voters passed a sales tax to fund recreation facilities, including the pool project. Construction finally began last October.

    “A lot of people have been waiting and looking at the calendar every day,” said Susana Limon.

    For the community, the pool represents more than just a place to swim.

    “That’s the best part, seeing the joy on the kids’ faces and delight because they deserve to be able to be in the pool and experience this,” said Carrie Patterson.

    Swimming at the Victory Park pool will be free through Labor Day weekend.

    After this weekend, admission will be $3 per person.

    The pool will be open only on weekends from 12 to 6 p.m. through September.

    Although summer is just about over, officials say that’s how the construction schedule worked out.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Woman looks to become 1st New Yorker to complete triple crown of open water swimming

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    UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) — A woman from the Upper East Side plans to swim the English Channel in her final quest to achieve the triple crown of swimming.

    At 47 years old, Fleur Sohtz’s secret to long distance, open water swimming is eating… lots of eating, while swimming.

    “Every 30 minutes, they are throwing off the boat to me what’s called the feed,” said Sohtz, who is a long-distance swimmer. “It’s a bottle, where I’ll have electrolytes and then I’ll have gels wrapped around it. And for this swim, where the water’s a little colder, I’ll have a container with normally cakes or cookies inside of that.”

    She will have her cake and eat it too while swimming across the English Channel. Her team will throw it to her in plastic containers. Every 30 minutes, she will have 30 seconds to wolf it down and then keep on kicking.

    “It’s very funny, but you know, you get the sugar rush,” Sohtz said.

    Sohtz is a life-long New Yorker and swimmer.

    In 2021, she cruised around Manhattan in eight hours and 30 minutes, freestyle, except under the bridges, when she flipped on her back to enjoy the view.

    “I raced in pools when I was younger. Now, this is all about getting to see different places and bringing a really positive message to New York and beyond about swimming,” Sohtz said.

    Two years later, she swam the Catalina Channel in the Pacific.

    Now, she’s about to tackle the English Channel. She’s in England currently waiting for her time slot.

    If successful, Eyewitness News is told she will be the first New Yorker to complete the triple crown of open water swimming.

    “I love the freedom of it. I think when you dive into water, you escape everything,” she said. “You become very much just you and yourself and the movement of the water. It’s a really freeing place to be.”

    Sohtz hopes to raise $50,000 in this trifecta for Asphalt Green where she trains, so more children can discover the magic of mastering the water.

    “I love this sport. It’s given me everything,” Sohtz said. “If every kid in New York could have that, or every adult in New York could have that, how many doors would it open?”

    If you’d like to support Sohtz, you can donate online.

    The fundraiser helps support Asphalt Green’s AGUA scholarships and inclusive swim programming for neurodivergent kids.

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    Lucy Yang

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  • You Are Not Going To Believe This

    You Are Not Going To Believe This

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    They are good for your mental health and most occasionally remember them, here is how marijuana effects dreams.  

    It is sometimes confusing when someone we know says something a little wacky. Like chocolate milk comes from cows. But 7% of Americans believe it comes from brown cows. There is a difference between book smart referring to knowledge gained primarily through reading and studying, and common sense the ability to make practical judgments and navigate real-world situations. Common sense doesn’t always need explicit instruction, which can sometimes be seen as lacking in someone considered book smart. MacGuyer, Scorpion and other shows have been based on the difference.  While it is logical, you are not going to be believe this list of things things people think!
    While carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for eye health, they do not enhance vision beyond normal levels. This myth was propagated during World War II as a way to explain why British pilots were successful at night raids.

    Based on many, many detective shows is the belief you can not report someone missing until 24 hours have passed.  Actually, you can contact the authorities as soon as you feel they are unaccounted for without any waiting period.

     While it is annoying and may freak some people out, research indicates knuckle cracking does not lead to arthritis or joint damage. The sound comes from gas bubbles in the synovial fluid, and while it may annoy others, it poses no health risks.

    And despite what your parents may have said, there is no need to wait an hour after eating before you go swimming. The American Red Cross and other medical professionals say eating before swimming is not dangerous. There are no documented deaths from swimming after eating, and the idea that it’s dangerous is a myth.  While swimming does divert blood flow, it’s not medically recommended to wait before eating.

    And last, a small portion of the population believe the earth is flat. This has been a benefit for YouTube who receives tons of traffic when a “flat earthed” does a video proven the world is flat and ends up doing the opposite.

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    Anthony Washington

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  • Why Howard U. is pushing underserved communities to swim – WTOP News

    Why Howard U. is pushing underserved communities to swim – WTOP News

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    “Sixty-five percent of African Americans have limited or no swimming ability, and we drown at three times the rate of our white counterparts,” Howard University’s Nick Askew said, referencing a 2023 Consumer Product Safety Commission report on fatal and nonfatal drowning reporting.

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    Why Howard Univ. is pushing underserved communities to swim

    “The Battle of the Burr” is one of the biggest swim meets in the country, pitting D.C. universities Georgetown and Howard in a local rivalry matchup this Saturday.

    However, for Nicholas “Nik” Askew, the director of swimming and diving at Howard University, the swim meet is more than a competition. The sold-out event, which will feature a watch party in the Bison’s basketball arena in Burr Gymnasium, is another chance to remind people of the lack of water spaces for underserved communities.

    “Sixty-five percent of African Americans have limited or no swimming ability, and we drown at three times the rate of our white counterparts,” Askew said, referencing a 2023 Consumer Product Safety Commission report on fatal and nonfatal drowning reporting.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released in May, there are about 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths every year in the United States, with significantly higher rates among people of color. The data also says about 55% of U.S. adults have never taken a swimming lesson, with only 37% of Black people saying they had taken classes.

    The information is shocking to Askew, who jumped into the pool at an early age and swam competitively in high school. He started at Howard University in 1996 as a dual-sport athlete as a swimmer and tennis player. He became the swim team’s captain and became a six-time conference champion in the pool.

    However, he understands the history of African Americans being forced out of bodies of water and the lack of water spaces in urban settings. He joined the Pool Safety program over the summer and recorded a PSA on the history of African Americans in water spaces and why people of any age should learn to swim.

    According to its website, Pool Safety was launched by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to teach people the simple steps to save lives and develop a national education campaign to reduce drownings.

    “Drowning is known as the silent killer, and because not a lot of people really talk about it, there’s not a lot of news about it, but the stats are out there,” Askew said.

    As the NCAA’s only Division I swimming and diving team at a historically Black college, Askew said there a measure of responsibility to be a visible representation for African Americans and other people of color who may be apprehensive in getting in the water.

    Events like the Battle of the Burr are a starting point. The dual, men’s and women’s competitions are a one-of-a-kind competition for the athletes from the two high-profile universities and the spectators who experience it.

    “Being able to look at the pool deck and see people who you can see yourself as, is important because that allows you to start thinking ‘that space is for me,’” he said.

    One of the first things Askew encourages is learning water safety and proper protocols when in a body of water, regardless of if it’s a pool or the ocean. He encourages families to take also advantage of resources in their communities, including free or low-cost classes at local YMCAs, parks and recreational organizations.

    “Water is a therapeutic space, so you may not want to be a competitive swimmer, but you can do aqua aerobics, aqua cycling,” he said. “You can just come in here for just therapy alone and just tread water as part of the therapy, and it’s calming. So, it truly is a space for everyone, at every age.”

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jose Umana

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  • 2 College Swimmers Suspended Over Reported Scratching Of Racial Slur On Student’s Body

    2 College Swimmers Suspended Over Reported Scratching Of Racial Slur On Student’s Body

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    GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — At least two students at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania have been suspended from the swim team after a report that a racial slur was scratched onto a student’s body, officials said.

    Officials received “a deeply concerning report of a racial slur being scratched onto a student using a plastic or ceramic tool,” officials at the 2,200-student private liberal arts school in Gettysburg said in a statement last week.

    “This is a serious report, which is being actively assessed through the student conduct process,” the college said. “At this point, the students involved are not participating in swim team activities.” The school declined to release further details, citing that process, as well as privacy laws.

    It is believed to have happened during an “informal social gathering at an on-campus residence” and was first reported by upper-class students from the swim team, Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano said.

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    Iuliano described feeling “profound distress about what happened” and the impact on those long underrepresented on the campus, as well as the implications “for a community continuing its evolving efforts to create a truly inclusive environment.”

    “No matter the relationship, and no matter the motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade, or marginalize based on one’s identity and history,” he said in a statement that also cautioned against speculation “based on fragments of information that may or may not be accurate.”

    The city’s police chief, Robert Glenny Jr., said he contacted the college after hearing news reports and was told the victim chose to handle the matter through the college’s internal process, despite college officials encouraging the person to take the matter to police, WGAL-TV reported.

    Support Free Journalism

    Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

    Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

    The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

    Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

    The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

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  • The Uplift: Ali Truwit and more

    The Uplift: Ali Truwit and more

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    The Uplift: Ali Truwit and more – CBS News


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    Paralympic swimmer Ali Truwit shares how she faced her fears and got back in the water after suffering a devastating incident. Plus, other heartwarming stories.

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  • Unbelievable facts

    Unbelievable facts

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    San Francisco’s Fleishhacker Pool was so enormous that lifeguards patrolled using rowboats….

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  • Shark attack survivor goes on to become silver medal-winning Paralympian

    Shark attack survivor goes on to become silver medal-winning Paralympian

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    Shark attack survivor goes on to become silver medal-winning Paralympian – CBS News


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    Just one year ago, U.S. swimmer Ali Truwit lost her leg in a shark attack. She was back in the water just six weeks later, and became a two-time silver medalist at this year’s Paralympic Games.

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  • The two beaches at Lake Nokomis are still closed due to high bacteria levels

    The two beaches at Lake Nokomis are still closed due to high bacteria levels

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    Several beaches are still closed due to high bacterial levels


    Several beaches are still closed due to high bacterial levels

    01:17

    MINNEAPOLIS — Beachgoers in Minneapolis won’t be able to hit a popular lake this weekend. Both beaches at Lake Nokomis are off-limits.

    Its been this way since August 19th, that’s when a sanitary sewer line backed up, sending sewage into the water. Signage at all beaches around this lake warn people about the dangers of exposure to the water. According to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the overflow has been stopped and cleanup underway.

    But the latest testing of the water indicates elevated E. Coli levels remain. The MPRB is asking people to find their place on the beach and in the water at the seven other beaches in Minneapolis that are open for swimming.

    raw-070424-beaches-closed-broll-mitchell-black-00-03-1322.jpg

    WCCO


    With weekend temperatures expected to climb back close to 90, many will seek relief in the water. If it’s the water you need to cool off the hope, is you head to city parks where pools, wading pools and splash pads are open for families to enjoy.

    Minneapolis Park and recreation crews will re-test the waters here at Lake Nokomis for bacteria levels on Monday in hopes things will be fine enough to open these beaches just in time for Labor Day Weekend. 

    A full list of open pools and beaches can be found here. 

    Reg Chapman


    reg-chapman.png

    Reg Chapman joined WCCO-TV in May of 2009. He came to WCCO from WNBC-TV in New York City where he covered an array of stories for the station including the Coney Island plane crash, the crane collapse on the city’s east side, 50 shots fired at motorist Sean Bell by New York Police, and a lacrosse team assault at Fairfield High School in Connecticut.

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  • Today in Sports – Tiger Woods becomes first golfer since 1953 to win 3 majors in a calendar year

    Today in Sports – Tiger Woods becomes first golfer since 1953 to win 3 majors in a calendar year

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    Aug. 20

    1921 — Molla Bjurstedt Mallory beats Mary Browne, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win the U.S. women’s national tennis title at the Germantown Cricket Club in Philadelphia.

    1931 — Helen Wills Moody beats Eileen Bennett Whitingstall 6-4, 6-1 to capture the women’s title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship.

    1944 — Robert Hamilton upsets Byron Nelson in the final round 1 up to win the PGA Championship.

    1960 — Holland’s Hairos II, driven by Willem Geersen, wins the second International Trot at Roosevelt Raceway before a record crowd of 54,861.

    1990 — George Steinbrenner steps down as NY Yankee owner.

    1995 — Monica Seles completes a remarkable first week back in tournament tennis, routing Amanda Coetzer 6-0, 6-1 to capture the Canadian Open. Her 74 games sets a tournament record for the fewest played by a champion.

    1999 — 7th Athletics World Championships open at Seville, Spain.

    2000 — Tiger Woods wins the PGA Championship in a playoff over Bob May, becoming the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in one year. He’s the first player to repeat as PGA champion since Denny Shute in 1937.

    2003 — The U.S. wins the women’s overall team gold medal at the gymnastics world championships. It is the first gold for the Americans — men or women — at the biggest international event outside the Olympics.

    2004 — Michael Phelps matches Mark Spitz’s record of four individual gold medals in Olympic swimming by winning the 100-meter butterfly. He edges teammate Ian Crocker to win his fifth gold medal. Shortly after winning his seventh medal of these Olympics, Phelps gives up his spot in the medley relay to Crocker.

    2006 — Tiger Woods wins the PGA Championship for a five-shot victory over Shaun Micheel and his 12th career major. He becomes the first player to win the PGA twice on the same course, having done so at Medinah in 1999.

    2008 — Usain Bolt of Jamaica breaks the 200-meter world record, winning in 19.30 seconds at the Beijing Games. He is the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to sweep the 100 and 200 at an Olympics.

    2012 — Augusta National invites former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore to become the first female members since the club was founded in 1932.

    2016 — Allyson Felix and LaShawn Merritt anchor the 4×400 relay teams, and the U.S. exits the final night of action at Olympic Stadium with 31 medals — its most in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1956. The U.S. women’s basketball team beats Spain 101-72 for a sixth straight title.

    2018 — Alabama becomes the second team to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll for three straight seasons. The preseason AP poll started in 1950 and since then only Oklahoma from 1985-87 had started No. 1 in three straight years.

    2023 — FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, Stadium Australia, Sydney: Spanish captain Olga Carmona scores the only goal of the game as La Furia Roja score a 1-0 win over England.

    _____

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  • Here’s Another $3 Beach Day Trip in the Upstate You Don’t Want to Miss

    Here’s Another $3 Beach Day Trip in the Upstate You Don’t Want to Miss

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    Looking for a family-friendly beach in the Upstate where you can swim, boat, and enjoy the playground? While we don’t have a traditional beach to enjoy in the Upstate, we have High Falls Park. It’s a lakeside beach just about an hour from Greenville. High Falls County Park is popular with locals and it will be your new favorite day trip and camping destination, too. The park sits on 46 acres of land, on the shores of Lake Keowee in Oconee County.

    This park is popular with upstate families because of the amenities and activities it offers. Whether you stay for just the day, or decide to camp at High Falls, there is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied. This was one of the first lakes we discovered when we moved here. The boat traffic is minimal and the shore doesn’t drop off like it does at some other upstate lakes.

    The lake and playground at High Falls Park

    Things to Do at High Falls County Park

    Entry into the park is just $3 per car, paid in cash. Swimming at the lake is allowed. One of the reasons this park is so popular is because of the restrooms and playground in close proximity to the lakeshore. There are also shade trees to keep the sun off of everybody. These are all important features for families planning a day on the lake with children.

    You will also find a mini-golf course that is BYOP (Bring your own putter and ball) to have fun within the cooler months or in between dips in the lake. This lake is also great for boating. It’s ok if you don’t have your own, you can rent kayaks at the park.

    Kayaking at High Falls County Park

    My children and I love kayaking. My son has his own and I have a tandem kayak. I’ve said it before, but a child-sized kayak was one of the best gifts Santa ever got my son. We didn’t even have an adult one when he did that. Santa sure knew what he was doing though, because that lit a fire in my children and I for exploring our waterways.

    Paddling is something that I and my co-worker Kristina love, and if you have a chance to get your own – do it. They don’t require the same maintenance as a boat and can be found for just a few hundred dollars.

    There are so many places in and around the Upstate to explore in a kayak. With that said, the water around High Falls County Park is a good place for a first-time lesson. The inlet to the right of the boat launch is a calm area within reach of the shore should you happen to need to swim to shore. I only say this in case you are a worrier, there is almost no chance you’d need to swim to shore.

    My three-year-old desperately wanted to paddle on her own. She sat in front of my son in the tandem kayak and he taught her how to paddle. He was sharing a passion for paddling with his little sister, when normally they are screaming at each other. It was a peaceful day on the lake and one I won’t soon forget.

    Kayaking at High Falls County Park

    Camping at High Falls County Park

    If an overnight adventure is what you seek, the park offers 91 campsites, with 10 of them being on those being on lake. Peak times for the campground are the months of May through September, with no camping in the winter months (December – February).

    Campsites start at $25 a night and can be reserved through Reserve America. All the sites have electrical hook-ups and there is a bathhouse on site. Camping in the off-peak times is when I like to go. The cooler fall months are better for going without air conditioning, in my opinion.

    The park has two fishing piers available to use. You’ll need to have an SC freshwater fishing license to fish in Lake Keowee. In the cooler months, the lake is known for its spotted bass fishing.

    You can enjoy this park year-round, so don’t let the cooler weather stop you from going to explore High Falls County Park.

    High Falls County Park
    671 High Falls Road
    Seneca, SC 29672

    Have you visited High Falls County Park?

    More Places to Swim

    Swim, Paddle, Play and Relax at High Falls Park in Seneca, SC


    There’s a Beautiful Beach Waiting For You at South Cove County Park


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  • Unbelievable facts

    Unbelievable facts

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    Michael Phelps has won a record 23 Olympic gold medals, more than any other Olympian. The next…

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  • Simone Biles wins silver in women’s gymnastics floor final

    Simone Biles wins silver in women’s gymnastics floor final

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    Simone Biles wins silver in women’s gymnastics floor final – CBS News


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    Simone Biles won silver in the women’s gymnastics individual floor final at the Paris Olympics on Monday. Earlier falls on the balance beam, including falls by Biles and Suni Lee, left the U.S. out of individual medals contention in that apparatus. “CBS Saturday Morning” co-host and CBS News and sports correspondent Dana Jacobson is in Paris with a recap.

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  • Katie Ledecky swims into history with gold medal in 800 freestyle at Paris Olympics

    Katie Ledecky swims into history with gold medal in 800 freestyle at Paris Olympics

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    Katie Ledecky continued to make history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the second swimmer in history to win an event at four straight Summer Games.

    Ledecky, who held off Ariarne Titmus to win the 800-meter freestyle Saturday night, tied a record previously held solely by Michael Phelps, who won gold in the 200-individual medley at Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.

    Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 8
    Katie Ledecky of Team United States and Ariarne Titmus of Team Australia compete in the Women’s 800m Freestyle Final at the Olympic Games in Paris.

    / Getty Images


    Ledecky claimed her first gold with a surprise victory in the 800 free as a 15-year-old at the 2012 London Games. She has dominated the grueling race ever since.

    It was Ledecky’s second gold medal in Paris and ninth of her remarkable career, which marked another milestone.

    She became only the sixth Olympian to reach that figure, joining swimmer Mark Spitz, track star Carl Lewis, Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi in a tie for second place.

    The only athlete to win more golds is Phelps with 23.

    Ledecky went faster than her winning time in Tokyo, touching in 8 minutes, 11.04 seconds. Titmus, the Australian star known as the “Terminator,” was right on her shoulder nearly the entire race, but Ledecky pulled away in the final 100.

    Titmus, who beat Ledecky in the 400 freestyle, settled for silver at 8:12.29. The bronze went to another American, Paige Madden at 8:13.00.

    U.S. sets world record in mixed relay

    The United States set a new world record in the 4×100 mixed relay on Saturday, making up for a disappointing showing in Paris so far.

    Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske held off China for a winning time of 3:37.43, breaking the mark of 3:37.58 set by Britain when it won gold in the wild and woolly event’s Olympic debut three years ago.

    With each team picking two men and two women, the U.S. and China both went with their male swimmers in the first two legs.

    Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Day Eight
    USA’s Ryan Murphy, Nick Fink, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske with their gold medals after winning the Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay at the Paris La Defense Arena.

    John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images


    Murphy put the U.S. in front on the backstroke, China’s Qin Haiyang slipped past Nic Fink on the breaststroke, but Walsh put the Americans back in front on the butterfly before Huske held off Yang Junxuan to secure the gold.

    The Chinese team, which also included Xu Jiayu and Zhang Yufei, took silver in 3:37.55. The bronze went to Australia in 3:38.76.

    When the British won gold in 2021, the Americans finished fifth. Britain was seventh this time.

    Kate Douglass takes silver in 200 individual medley

    Kate Douglas added another medal to her coffers on Saturday when she won silver in the 200-meter individual medley.

    The two-time Olympian started strong but was chased down by 17-year-old Summer McIntosh from Canada, who finished the race with an Olympic record of 2:06.56.

    The Americans lost the bronze when Alex Walsh, the silver medalist in this event at Tokyo who recorded a time of 2:07.06, was disqualified because she did not finish the backstroke segment on her back.

    Paris Olympics Swimming
    United States’ Kate Douglass, Canada’s Summer Mcintosh and Australia’s Kaylee Mckeown pose with their medals during the awards ceremony for the women’s 200-meter individual medley at the Summer Olympics.

    Brynn Anderson / AP


    It was a bitter blow for Walsh, whose younger sister, Gretchen, has won a gold medal and two silvers in Paris.

    Kaylee McKeown of Australia touched fourth and was bumped up to the bronze at 2:08.08.

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  • Swimmer Tamara Potocka collapses after race at the Olympics

    Swimmer Tamara Potocka collapses after race at the Olympics

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    NANTERRE, France — Slovakia swimmer Tamara Potocka collapsed poolside Friday morning after a qualifying heat of the women’s 200-meter individual medley at the Paris Olympics. She was given first aid and then carried off on a stretcher.

    Potocka, 21, was seen wearing an oxygen mask as she was taken away for medical attention. Medical personal at the pool said she was conscious.

    Potocka collapsed as she got out of the water and almost immediately was surrounded by a half-dozen medical attendants who put her on a stretcher after about a minute and carried her off the pool deck.

    It was not clear if she received CPR.

    Israeli swimmer Lea Polonsky, who swam two heats after Potocka, said swimmers know their sport has inherent risks.

    “Of course that’s something in the back of your mind, but we do every day push ourselves to the limit,” she added. “You always know something like that can happen. It’s not something you think about during the race, but it’s always there.”

    This is Potocka’s first Olympics. She resides in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.

    Potocka finished seventh in her heat in a time of 2 minutes, 14.20 seconds. Her time was not fast enough to advance her to the semifinals of the event, which eliminated her from the competition.

    ___

    AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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