My husband gave our cat her first bath last night. He had to gently talk her out of climbing out of the tub and bolting for the nearest corner.

He also had to hold her firmly, and cut her nails beforehand.

The cat cried pitifully the whole time anyway, and desperately tried to escape the whole time.

She reminded me of black folks and water. I could see her rationalizing in her little cat brain how she’s a cat! And they don’t do water, and it works for…

In the San Diego area and want to talk DAP?  Join me and other DAP members tonight at NOBU, San Diego -207 5th Avenue ~5PM~NOBU

In San Diego at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) 2011 National Convention.   Yesterday I attended a presentation featuring DAP member Dr. Angela Beale entitled "Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility".  In listening to the presentation it sparked the following thought: If you are involved with aquatics in any way, shape or form and are aware that over 1,000 people drown everyday then you instantly have a social…

In celebration of Women's History month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Commission on Women's Issues honored Swim Strong's founder, Shawn Slevin, for her work in making NYC a better place to live.

Swim Strong Foundation makes swimming affordable and accessible to families. Last year 383 children participated in programs that both saved and changed their lives.…

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/4805315/Bombing-champs-make-a-splash

Bombing, in this case, is an aquatics activity, much like diving, but for the splash effect. Dudes in New Zealand are trying to build up the sport there and want to take it world-wide in the future.

We should have some national qualification meets and build to…

http://ncaa.com/buick/#page=home&video=830460692001

You might need to go to that site to view the clip. Very powerful. Well done. (Make A Splash).

Press Release from the Atlantica Expedition:

63 YEAR OLD RETIRED TEACHER, HALL OF FAME SCUBA DIVER, &CURRENT NAUI INSTRUCTOR JOINS ATLANTICA EXPEDITION SET TOBREAK WORLD RECORD!

Educator, environmentalist and philanthropist Charles Lumpkin Jr. is appointed to therevolving crew set to man the Atlantica Expeditions first undersea colony for 90…

From TakePart.com, by Jon Bowermaster:

Floating is a learned art for people born in the Bahamas. (Photo courtesy of Jen Galvin)

Eleuthera, Bahamas—Named after the Greek word for “freedom,” Eleuthera is 110 miles long and just a mile at its widest. To the east is the occasionally wild…

There is wide-spread agreement on the “ideal” ways to keep kids safe in the water.  Constant supervision.  Gradual, positive and repetitive exposure to water and swimming  over a long period of time to gain skill and confidence.  Teach all kids to swim.  Keep them away from water hazards.  Ensure…

I was thinking about this topic at work today. I often wondered what makes people like Joe Paterno, Geno Auriemma, Jim Stein, Todd Bozeman, David Marsh and Mike Krzykzewski great coaches. The easy answer is winning. However, its not just winning. If we say its only communication we over look just how important it is to actually do the right thing. A person can commuincate very well and be loved universally, however, if they have the wrong ideas regarding their sport they will lose. Finally,…

We need more innovative thinkers and more creative solutions if children are going to stop drowning.

Take a look at SwimFin - invented by Kevin Moseley in the UK.  Doesn’t it look like fun?  Definitely…

I just saw a video of Cullen Jones on the Today Show. A few things stood out to me. One was how far Black History Month has slipped down on my priority list.

I’m pretty sure I dredged up as much black swimming history as I could last year, and posted just about every day in February.

This year, I’ve been focusing on other things. I haven’t meant to neglect the blog, but it has…

What the heck?

http://www.newser.com/story/114062/teacher-fights-for-job-after-quip-about-deadly-field-trip.html

Water is a magnet for all children.  It is fun.  It is soothing.  Water is the ultimate, non-threatening hug.  As an adult, what is your reaction when you sink into a hot bath?  Or sip a cool glass of water on a hot day?   Aaaaaahhhhhhh.  Exactly.  Now magnify that attraction and that reaction by 100…

This is a longer document that covers a pending Swim and Water Polo Camp that we'll be running in Pittsburgh for Pittsburgh Public Schools in July and August 2011. It goes 5 weeks and is offered at a city high school for kids that are going into middle school grades (6th, 7th and 8th graders).

Feedback welcomed here.

 …

Hi Swim Friends,

Anyone else going to the PIAA Swim Meet (PA High School States)? Would be fun to meet there. Let me know: Mark -at- Rauterkus -dot- com.

Best of luck to your tapers and spring break periods.

Coach Mark