Tag: Olympics

SwimToday and Dara Torres Promote Swimming as #FunnestSport

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of joining an informative media event at the Asphalt Green for SwimToday, hosted by our friends at MomTrends. SwimToday is a joint, industry effort created to promote and grow participation in the sport of swimming. The campaign is led by USA Swimming, Arena USA, Speedo USA and TYR Sport.

Dubbed the #FunnestSport, this campaign hopes to highlight the many benefits of swimming as a sport. SwimToday and MomTrends brought together influencers to listen to Ambassador and Olympic Gold Medalist, Dara Torres, and hear several swim moms share their kids’ experience as swimmers. 

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Before Dara shared her experience, I enjoyed learning some benefits of swimming as shared by SwimToday:

·       It’s closer than you think – 62 percent of families live within 10 minutes of a pool; 52 percent of households with combined income of $50,000 or less report they have access to a pool nearby

·       Everyone participates – Swimming is inclusive, there are no benchwarmers (nor benches)

·       Swimming is a team sport – Only 16 percent of non-swimming parents view swimming as a team sport but parents of swimmers associate the sport with teamwork more than any other sport

·       Suit up and go – Only a swimsuit, cap and goggles are necessary to get started

·       Life skills – Swimming increases self-confidence, self-esteem, time management, goal-setting and social development

·       Easy to learn – 76 percent of parents said the ease of learning to swim was high

·       Low risk of injury – No contact makes for a safer environment

·       Swimming = total body fitness– Burn 650 calories in an hour – more than walking, biking or team sports

·       Sport for life – Once you learn to swim, you can enjoy no matter your age

·       Swimming is FUN – Parents confirm that swimming is the #FunnestSport

I appreciated the swim moms’ different perspectives about their children’s involvement as swimmers. For some, their kids love for swimming began as tots, for others, swimming opened brand new avenues and camaraderies. I enjoyed how the moms shared how swimming rounded out their kids altogether.

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Dara Torres shared how her career as a swimmer didn’t always go swimmingly. In fact, there was a time she said that she didn’t always come in first. Since her youth, however, she said she worked hard and never gave up. She was constantly reinventing herself and striving to do more as a swimmer. I loved listening to her speak as a swim mom and how her career has molded her outlook as a parent. She was so down to earth and well-spoken. I think we could’ve listened to her talk longer, had there not been any time restraints.

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Since we live at a lake, I’m proud to be a current swim mom. My older guy enjoys being active and participating in sports, and swimming is one of those sports that we’ve just recently added to our summer schedule.

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Unlike the contact sports that he prefers, swimming is a challenge because it’s still new to him and he’s constantly competing against himself in addition to participating as a team. As the other swim moms mentioned at the SwimToday event, swimming competitively allows the kids to develop special bonds with teammates. It gives kids a chance to challenge themselves and learn how to better themselves with every lap. At 7 years old, my guy isn’t the strongest swimmer, but I appreciate his willingness to try hard and to pull through for his team.

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I see us continuing to be a swimming family, especially now knowing that my younger guy loves the water. For someone who’s had so many challenges, being in the water seems to make him feel invincible. It didn’t take much for SwimToday to convince me that swimming is the #FunnestSport. We are pretty lucky to live by the water and are able to enjoy swimming almost every day in the summer!

To learn more about SwimToday and the #FunnestSport, be sure to check them out on Facebook. Head to SwimToday.org to find a swim club near you.

 
 

Q and A: Lindsey Jacobellis, Snowboard Cross Olympian

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The dust, or rather, the snow may be settling now that the Olympics are over.  And while a handful of Olympians are making the rounds touting their medals, one Olympian is speaking about what she’s learned.

When Lindsey Jacobellis is mentioned, some people may remember her as the snowboarder from the 2006 Olympics who fell on her second to last jump when attempting a method grab, scoring a silver instead of the expected gold.  But, trust me, there’s more to know about Jacobellis.  Much more.

Armed with even more fervor for the 2010 Winter Olympics, unfortunately, Jacobellis left Vancouver without medaling in the Women’s Snowboard Cross.  This Olympics might not have been the “redemption” that many were anticipating, but “Lucky Lindsey” is holding her head up high.  Why shouldn’t she?

Afterall, at just 24, Lindsey is one of the most well known, not to mention, one of the most decorated female athletes in her sport.  In addition to the silver she earned at the ’06 Olympics, she has a gold from the ’09 Winter X Games to show for success.

On not medaling in Vancouver: “It’s definitely not the end of the world for me.  It’s unfortunate that the rest of the world only sees this race and the one four years ago. I guess I don’t have a great track record with the general public,” Jacobellis was quoted in the LA Times.

You win some, you lose some, kids.  And between us, it’s time to dispel the negativity.  It’s true, we don’t always get what we want—hey wait, isn’t that what we teach our kids?

And yes, that includes winning Olympic gold.

I had the the unique opportunity to speak candidly with Lindsey the other week, where we discussed what’s next, her influences and what she thought about those snowboarding pants.

 

 

 

 

source: Getty Images

NKT: I know they’re apples and oranges, but can you compare and describe your experience in the X Games to that of the Olympics?

 

LJ: In the X Games, my family was able to be up close, which wasn’t really the case for the Olympics.  When I’m competing, I’m in such a zone anyway, it’s hard to tell the difference.

 

NKT:  As one of the most recognized names in snowboarding whom do you consider as a role model in your sport?

LJ: I’d have to say Shaun Palmer.  I grew up admiring him since he paved the way for snowboarders, so it was such an honor to be on the same team.

 

NKT:  After your second appearance, what is your biggest takeaway from this experience.

LJ: I approach all competition the same, so I try hard to not to walk away upset, even if the outcome isn’t how I wanted.  I don’t give up easily, so I’ll take this experience and will grow from it.

 

NKT: I write typically for kid-centric sites, including my own, and it’s a well known fact that many tweens and teens look up to you.  What would your advice/insight be for your most impressionable fans about not giving up?

LJ: If you’re in love with something and it makes you happy, pursue it, even if you don’t always get the outcome that you want.  Do something you want!  I continue to snowboard because I love it.  How I do at a competition doesn’t define me; it’s how much I love the sport itself.  It’s not so much as about winning.  To me, it’s all about pursuing my passion and absorbing it all.

 

NKT: I asked many of my Facebook friends to chime in on questions, and everyone wants to know about the pants the snowboarders wore during the Olympics.  You care to share your thoughts on them?  The pants the snowboarders wore during the Olympics were by the popular snowboarding brand, Burton.  In case you’re not familiar, the pants looked like distressed jeans, but were made of Gore-Tex.  The overall look offset the preppiness of the plaid jackets.

LJ: When I first saw the design, I was a bit surprised.  And then when I saw them in person, I thought they were awesome.  It looked like we were racing in jeans, when really we weren’t; they’re really cool snowboarding pants, though.  I thought they reflected the vibe and culture of snowboarding.

NKT:  You might not have had a storybook ending to your second Olympic appearance.  In light of that, can you think of a storybook or cartoon character that you can associate your experiences with?

Lindsey saved this question for last because she paused to ask her mom, whom she said would have a better recollection.  I thought this was so endearing and indicative of how close she is with her family!

LJ: I’d have to say that I can relate to Dr. Seuss.  His characters are all quirky, the stories are funky, yet so deep.  I love how in many stories, they endure trials and tribulation and have a great message.  There’s a Dr. Seuss story that I loved about a yakk, it was all about moving on!

 

NKT:  What’s next for you?

LJ: I’m off to Colorado, then to Europe for the World Cup Tour and then Vermont.  I’ll stay busy with traveling, snowboarding and catching up with friends and family!

 

NKT:  And because you’re the DayQuil/NyQuil spokesperson, other than those remedies, what are your go-to remedies when you’re feeling under the weather.

LJ:  I love going the natural route, so I tend to turn to the Neti-Pot when my sinuses are acting up.  But other than that, I’m all about NyQuil.

 

The Olympics might be over, but keep an eye out for Lindsey.  Expect her to blaze more trails, figuratively and literally, in the years to come!

Full Disclosure:  I served as a brand ambassador for Vicks in the fall when I covered World Pneumonia Day, thus I have an ongoing relationship with P&G.  I happily interviewed Lindsey Jacobellis, a P&G spokesperson, for coverage on NKT.  I was not compensated in any way.