Published by ISCA
A thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the intersection of aquatics, swimming, sports, technology, and human potential.
Listen on Apple Podcasts20 min
"What if a 6‑year‑old could upload a quick clip of a 10‑meter freestyle, and an AI instantly replies, 'You passed!'—issuing a shiny, blockchain‑ready certificate that parents, coaches, and sponsors can see in real time? Welcome to Zlix, the free‑forever swim‑passport that's turning splash‑offs into badge‑holders." In episode #110 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, Valentin Milkov shares the story behind Zlix, an AI‑powered verification tool for beginner swimmers. Hear how it works. He also discusses the platform's free‑forever model, certification monetization, and future growth plans. Learn: The origins of Zlix and Valentin's swimming and tech background. How the AI assesses video uploads to confirm skill progression with ~90% accuracy. The free‑forever user model and the certificate‑based revenue strategy. Customizable school branding and curriculum flexibility for swim programs. Upcoming features, potential partnerships, and steps to drive user adoption. This exploration helps to shape efforts within the project of Coach Mark within the new book, Chapter Zero, Our AI Coaching Wizard, just published. Get it at https://SwimISCA.com . Also see the AI tool discussed in episode #104 of Heavy Or Not to hear from Ali, founder of OrcaVision.computer. Subscribe for more insights on AI, Coaching, Leadership and Sports Reform. Also follow at https://Substack.com/@rauterkus . Full posting at https://WAFSU.org in the course for Season 3 of Heavy Or Not.
25 min
Part 2 of Shitty Best, a book recap by Pavel Samov, Ph.D. in episode #109 of Heavy Or Not The Coach's Guide to Accountability, Responsibility, and Compassion in High‑Stakes Sports In this episode, #109 of Heavy Or Not, part 2, with insights into Dr. Pavel Somov's "Shitty Best" framework, showing why athletes miss the mark and how coaches can turn those misses into growth. Learn how unconditional self‑acceptance can coexist with high standards and real accountability. The myth of the "unified self" and why akrasia isn't just weak will How competing neural coalitions (pre‑frontal cortex vs. amygdala) drive split‑second mistakes Why traditional self‑esteem is a liability and how self‑acceptance builds true resilience Acceptance‑enabled perfectionism: practicing without panic and accelerating improvement The past‑present‑future coaching model and radical compassion for opponents, officials, and yourself Turning Mistakes into Momentum: The Past‑Present‑Future Framework for Elite Coaching Get the book!
26 min
Meet the work of my friend, with his book, Shitty Best. Come and get acquainted with Dr. Pavel Somov's game‑changing ideas from Shitty Best — the logic behind unconditional self‑acceptance and radical compassion for athletes and coaches. Discover why embracing an athlete's "moment‑specific shitty best" can be your competitive edge. In Heavy Or Not, episode #108, you'll learn: How the "shitty best" concept reframes perfection and mistakes in high‑stakes sports. The three categories of performance variables: knowns, unknowns, and unknowables. Why the "I am perfect" mantra is a neuro‑plasticity drill, not fluffy motivation. How to transform film review from a blame‑session into a data‑driven laboratory. The "time‑machine" thought experiment that proves contextual inevitability of every play. Buy the book!
14 min
Open water swimming is exhilarating—but safety must come first. In episode #107 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we talk with Barry Healey of BC, Canada about an event in his town. Get into the new open-water course and check out the ISCA Open Water Festival. The upcoming festival with a 5K swim is hosted at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Virginia. Progress is being made on the insurance issue. New free open‑water swimming course (read.swimisca.org) and the East Coast Open Water Festival at Smith Mountain Lake Introduction of a university division for collegiate squads and how to register Ongoing insurance work and why coaches and need to stay informed about liability risks The July 18, 2026 Across‑the‑Lake Swim disaster – what went wrong and the key safety failures New mandatory safety gear: high‑visibility swim buddies and why they're now required for all open‑water events
8 min
In Heavy Or Not, #106, we bring a dream into reality for long-time Southern Illinois University Head Swim & Dive Coach, presently retired, Rick Walker. Open Water Festival Sign up at https://swimisca.org/event/east-coast-open-water/ News Release about College Teams at https://read.swimisca.org/courses/open-water/lessons/isca-hosts-open-water-festivals/topic/press-release-college-swimming-gets-an-upgrade-in-september-with-a-5k-and-open-water-knockout/ Coach Walker has been a leading force for USA Open Water Swimming Teams in recent years — and he helps with Pan Am Aquatics and speaks to coaches at WAFSU.org / UCSSC seminars. Let's get to the core of the dream of what Open Water events mean for athletes and coaches. Get the details on the upcoming East Coast Open Water Festival and how a new college and university division is being created. Plus, you can get involved. Open water as an additional collegiate season – benefits for Title IX compliance and athlete counts. East Coast Open Water Festival at Smith Mountain Lake (Sept 2026) is with a new college & university division. Race formats: knockout 1,500 m, 5K, 1‑mile, splash‑and‑dash (swim + run) and more. How open water training boosts pool performance for distance and sprint swimmers. Resources & future events: online prep course (reed.swimisca.org), May Jamestown meet, coach/parent participation. New Open Water Course, for free, for limited time: https://read.swimisca.org/courses/open-water/
23 min
Over think much.... or not. Brian Holliday, once a frustrated swimmer in the UK, now an author and creator, shares how he reinvented swimming by focusing on mind‑body awareness instead of traditional technique. He reveals the journey from personal struggle to his "Intuitive Swimming" method and why the industry resists it. You'll learn: Why over‑thinking kills learning and how awareness of the body changes swimming. The key mind‑body‑water connection: floating, balance, and whole‑body movement. How Brian reverse‑engineered swim strokes and built a three‑step online course. The clash with conventional coaches and the challenges of marketing his approach. Insights from his book Why Front Crawl Feels Hard and how it can help swimmers of any level. Break the Cycle of Overthinking: Learn to Swim With Whole‑Body Balance and Presence "When you quit copying the coach and start listening to your own body, the water stops being a test and becomes a teammate – that's when you really learn to swim."
16 min
OrcaVision is about to hit the market place and aims to revolutionize swimming with AI‑powered video analytics that capture 20‑40 data points per second for every swimmer. In this episode of Hevy Or Not, #104, we hear the first part of an interview and introducation from Adi Segal Dori, an entrepreneur and Chairwomen of the two-year-old firm. Learn a bit as to how the system works, why it matters, and what's next for the sport. Real‑time computer‑vision captures detailed metrics (speed, stroke count, turn efficiency) without manual tagging. Simple installation: one (25 m) or two (50 m) cameras, calibrated remotely and used for both races and training. Scalable data ecosystem: 25,000+ races analyzed, benchmarking tools for athletes, coaches, parents, and broadcasters. Business model & pricing: low‑cost subscriptions, revenue‑share with facilities, free installs for larger clubs. Company background: bootstrapped start, angel funding, upcoming venture round, and plans for global expansion. Watch the full interview at the ISCA Facebook page, at HON.LAP.red, or in the Heavy Or Not course at WAFSU.org. There are plenty of other insights shared in the later part of the conversation, especially valuable when you can peek at the screen too. https://WAFSU.org
11 min
Aquajets Legacy Lives On: Kate Lundsten's Hall of Fame Celebration and Athlete Testimonials Kate Lundsten's induction into the International Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame is celebrated with heartfelt tributes from athletes, fellow coaches, and friends. Hear the stories that show why she's a legend in the sport. Kate's Hall of Fame induction, walk-up video and the significance of the award. Personal testimonials highlighting her impact on swimmers' lives and careers. Memorable moments from Aqua Jets training trips and competitions. Her coaching philosophy: humility, tough love, and life‑skill development. The lasting legacy she's created within the swimming community and beyond. Aquajets Home Page Heavy Or Not — Episode #103 ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame Celebration — Kate Lundsten Mark Rauterkus Heavy or not, episode number 103. The ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame celebration shared this video about new inductee, Kate Lundsten from Minnesota. Greatness leaves clues. Subscribe and share with your friends. And this is going to be the first episode that also goes out on Apple with video. Jay Chambers Hi, Kate. I just wanted to congratulate you on your induction into the International Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame. Your contributions have been essential to the growth and success of swimming in the United States. Thank you so much and congratulations. I'm so lucky to have been coached by you and then later in life to coach with you. Coach Kate, you deserve this award, not only for the way that you develop the speed and technique of your athletes, but the way that you prepare them for life with their attitude, work ethic, and as community members. I could not think of a better person for this honor. You coached my three daughters over 12 years and gave me my first coaching job. And what we have all taken away from those experiences goes way beyond the pool: humility, integrity, perseverance, and mostly the importance of trying hard to be a good human being. All the athletes and coaches that have worked with you, we all know that we're better off because of you. That whistle echo on the pool deck air. We didn't know how long we'd stay there. Three lanes full and a team just starting. Somehow she knew where. Built something strong at our closet. Before the banners, before the fame, she already knew every swimmer's name. She didn't just teach us how to swim, she helped us become who we are. She changed our game. I'm here on Rocky Top right now, and I just want to say congrats on being inducted to the Hall of Fame. You are the most deserving person I know, and I think it's pretty cool that you and Matt are both being inducted in the same year, because I've had the privilege to work with two very amazing people in my swimming career so far. And I just want to say you helped me become the swimmer and person I am today, and I wouldn't be here where I am without you. When you came up with my nickname Goose— Well, now the whole team calls me Goose, and I just think that that is so special that you have put that in my life. And I just, like, I remember the days when we had to swim in the terrible Brooklyn Center pool, but somehow you would always say something stupid enough to make us laugh through it all. You've never once doubted me, even when I wanted to try something new like open water. And while it might have ended with me going blind for a few days, I still got so many experiences out of that. Furthermore, I wouldn't have had the opportunity without you and your support through it all. I remember when we were at a Pro Series here in Knoxville, and you were like, "Avery, I could see you going here. I think you should look into this when you get recruited." And I was like, "Kate, the colors are neon orange. What are you talking about? I'm not going to go here." And well, look at where I am now. I ended up here. And you planted that seed in my head, and you supported me throughout the whole process. Congratulations. We are so proud of you. We love you so much. We cannot think of anyone more worthy of this than you. You and I have a lot of history, amazing history, and I can't think of a single person in my life that has single-handedly changed the trajectory of my life and has given me so many incredible opportunities that still impact me now, almost 20 years later. It has been an incredible honor to be coached by you and still remain very close to you and still consider you a very dear person in my life. Your belief in me and your ability to squeeze every ounce of effort out of me at all times, even if it meant pushing my buttons just a little bit, has made such a difference in helping me become the person and the swimmer that I am today. Your impact goes far beyond the pool. Hi, Kate. I wanted to thank you so much for not only making me into a great swimmer, but for also pushing me to become a great person as well. No matter how good or bad things got during my career, you were always encouraging me to pursue what I loved and to keep working as hard as I could toward my goals, no matter how impossible they seemed. You are the best coach that any age group, high school, or college swimmer could have ever asked for, and I'm truly grateful for everything that you've taught me. My favorite memory with Coach Kate was when we went on our training trip to Sarasota and all of the seniors rode in this very old van with Coach Kate and we drove everywhere with her and it was so much fun. Coming from someone who was coached by you and now is coaching on deck with you, I can say that there's no one else more deserving of this than you. You pour so much into your athletes and the coaches on Aquajets and the families and everyone that you come across on the pool deck. You bring so much enthusiasm and fun to swimming and the sport, and you just make it a fun thing to do whether you're swimming for you or coaching alongside you. There's no one that I think that is more deserving of this award than you, Kate. You are one of a kind. And I'm very grateful for the opportunity to coach with you by your side, just learn from you. You're an amazing person. What an accomplishment. I wanted to thank you for all the years at Aquajets. Your tough love and encouragement to be our best selves has truly taken me very far in my post-swimming career, so I just wanted to thank you for that. I hope you're doing well. You helped me accomplish dreams and goals that I never thought would be possible in my career as a swimmer. Just so many fond memories from my time on Aquajets, from our circles of love, to all of the meets, to crazy driving. But one memory that I will never forget is the time when you, Van, Rachel, and I took a trip out to Colorado Springs to have a training trip at the OTC, and we ended up taking a morning off of practice so that you could drive me to a random high school in the area so that I could take my ACT test. Who does that? Thank you for all that you've done, all that you continue to do both for your athletes, but also for the sport of swimming. I miss you, I love you, and go Aquajets. This induction is a long time coming for sure. I don't know what took so long. I'm so proud of you. We're all so proud of you. I think it's just a good time to thank you for being such an amazing coach, such an amazing person to so many young swimmers. I think one of your many gifts is seeing the best in people, seeing the best in your swimmers and forcing us, whether we like it or not, to carry out that potential. And for that, we're forever grateful. There are so many stories and memories I can share from all the years. So instead, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me and for Aquajets. You have been more than a swim coach to me. You are a mentor. You're a second mom. You're someone I know I can come to with anything. And you're always going to show up, and you're going to be there for us. You've created such an incredible environment at Aquajets. It's more than just a swim team. It's a family. It's a family for life. Thank you for giving me my best friends. They're friends I'm still in touch with today. We're bridesmaids in each other's weddings, and those friendships would not have been possible if it weren't for the environment and the culture you've created at Aquajets. So, thank you for all you've done, and congratulations again. I joined Aquajets when I was 11, and I remember telling my mom I was going to quit when I got to Kate's group because her loud whistle scared me so much. Almost 13 years later, I can confidently say she's the best coach I've ever had. Under her guidance, I went from not even qualifying for state to meddling at Junior Nationals and eventually swimming Division One at a Power Four school. But more important than becoming a successful swimmer because of her, I've become a better person because of her. She leads with humility and kindness, and I try to do the same every day. She always finds a way to keep the mood light, whether it be by getting temporary tattoos for Junior Nationals, having Chick-fil-A before a meet, taking a training trip to Sarasota, and I will never forget coaching with her. She supported me through some of the most difficult times in my life, offering me great advice, even though I didn't always take it. There truly aren't words to express my gratitude for Kate, and I wouldn't be here without her. Fortune Set-up Here's today's fortune statement. Fortune Reader Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand the way you behave. Fortune Set-up Think about it, journal it, use it from Mental Skills for Young Athletes and the companion course at SwimISCA.com . Songs: See the Substack, or a future episode.
7 min
Join the WAFSU Movement: Simple Code Adds Support Button to Any School Website Mike Switalski's Swim Project Tackles Security, Not Safety, in Buffalo Communities. In episode #102 we hear from Buffalo high‑school teacher and nonprofit founder and swim coach, Mike Switalski, then dive into a new AI‑powered swimming grant and a quick call‑to‑action for coaches. Mike's testimony on Buffalo's security challenges vs. traditional safety approaches. Impact numbers from the City Swim Project (500 kids served, $350K budget, national swimmer stats). Introduction of the Moonshot AI grant partnership with Remake Learning & the Grable Foundation at Arsenal Middle School. "Cannon" analogy: AI as modern power for community‑focused swimming programs. How to add the WAFSU logo code to your website to support coaches – no cost, just a click‑through to https://wasu.org .
13 min
It is depressing when people in power make terrible moves that make no sense. Student‑Athletes Question Pitt Swimming Future After Leadership Meeting Yields No Answers Two coaching shake‑ups fill episode #101 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide. One hits close to home, in my city, as Pitt lost its head swim and dive coach with an abrupt departure at graduation weekend. Many are wondering what is going on with coaching — and what this mean for college and international aquatic sports. Chase Kreitler's abrupt resignation from Pitt swimming & diving and the key points from his farewell letter. Athlete backlash, unanswered questions for AD Alan Greene, and the surge of transfers to the NCAA portal. Jerry Chen's perspective on funding cuts and the broader impact on non‑revenue sports at Pitt. Serbian water polo legend Juroš Števanović's sudden departure and the federation's reform moves. Announcements: Join us for the NISCA National Convention in Grand Rapids in June. Join Coach Steve Friederang at a one-week Altitude Swim Camp at NAU. Get the book, Mental Skills for Young Athletes at https://SwimISCA.com.
8 min
The Power of Partnership: Parents, Coaches, and Swimmers Working Together for Success The Power‑Play of Parenting: Why Unconditional Love Beats All the Swim Drills "When a swimmer knows they're loved no matter the time on the clock, the pool turns from a battlefield into a playground, and performance follows." In episode #100, the end of season 2 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we turn to a master, Wayne Goldsmith. His statement is the best advice ever delivered to any athletic family. He breaks down the essential partnership among athletes, coaches, and parents. This is the classic triangle. He explains why unconditional love and clear role boundaries are the foundation for a successful sports experience. What you'll learn: The parent's primary job: love, accept, and value your child unconditionally. The three‑partner model: distinct responsibilities of swimmer, coach, and parent. What a swimmer should focus on daily: training, nutrition, recovery, and effort. Coach duties: technical leadership, speed/endurance development, race strategy. Common role‑crossing pitfalls and how keeping boundaries intact fuels performance. Building Character and Performance: The Essential Contributions Parents Make to Sporting Success Subscribe to Wayne's content. It is always brilliant! Wayne Goldsmith's Substack Link = https://substack.com/@waynegoldsmith Join Coaches Mark Rauterkus and Ron Usher at the NISCA Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 23 to 26, 2026. Click for details and to register . https://www.niscaonline.org/index.php/conference/nisca-conference
15 min
Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #99 "Perfection breeds fear. Excellence is just showing up a little better than you did yesterday—because impossible isn't a word in our world; 'I.M. possible' is." Coach Pierre Lafontaine breaks down why daily wins, energy, and purposeful environments matter more than perfect facilities. Learn how to spark real progress in swimmers, no matter the pool size. You'll discover: The power of creating daily, measurable wins for every athlete. How coach energy and presence shape a winning culture. Why "better today, not perfect" should be your core coaching mantra. Simple recovery and programming strategies that keep athletes improving. Practical tips for engaging volunteers and optimizing meet day experiences.
27 min
Truth About Leadership & Why Collaboration Beats a Lone Wolf Mentality In Heavy or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #98 , we're blessed to pick up a few flash-back comments as well as present leadership insights from a former competitive swimmer who makes us all proud. Way to go Krista! Scott Grates sits down with performance coach, Krista Hawkins, to cover leadership truths, accountability systems, and the importance of holistic self‑care. Her athletic background and the coaching perspectives apply to everyone — from the wee swimmers to CEOs. Krista explains the important elements that coaches, families and humans should deploy. Get straight‑forward, actionable insights drawn from Krista's journey from a shy student just joining the team to a Division‑I athlete and business leader. Why the "leader must know everything" myth is a lie and why collaboration matters. How clear communication and a solid accountability framework drive consistent results. The difference between training (skill‑building) and development (growth) and why both are essential. Why physical health, mental wellness, and spiritual practices are non‑negotiable for effective leadership. Krista's step‑by‑step accountability process: role clarity, goal alignment, regular check‑ins, and actionable feedback. This is part two in a sequence from another podcast, Referrals Done Right with Scott Grates. See Scott's site , show and the original, full interview, #122 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/122-krista-hawkins-the-leader-you-are-becoming/id1738602897?i=1000758278572 Krista Hawkins' Links: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-legacy-partners Personal FB - https://www.facebook.com/krista.hawkins.9 Business FB - https://www.facebook.com/FUTURELEGACYPARTNERS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_kristahawkins_
6 min
Krista and our PAWW Swim Team - flashback with AI In episode #97 of the podcast, Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we rejoice in the discovery and shout out of another podcast. Years ago, Krista's journey to the PAWW swim team went from a terrified 12‑year‑old student, to age-group swimmer, to Division I athletes to today's high‑level executive advisor. Come along for the ride and enjoy the flashback with coaching tactics and a story debrief with aid from Notebook AI. Krista's growth to and confidence happened, in part, on the team — with Head Coach, Mark Rauterkus. The mental‑skill system translated from the pool deck to the boardroom — and appeared in a podcast episode elsewhere. Learn: How a competitive swim program became the catalyst for Krista's confidence boost. The specific mindset and accountability framework Coach Mark taught her. Why raw physical talent alone isn't enough for peak performance. How Krista now applies similar principles to coach thousands of business leaders. The broader lesson: elite youth coaching methods can be scaled into powerful executive leadership strategies. Thanks to Scott Grates, and his Referrals Done Right podcast, episode #122 for the interview with Krista. Hear their voices in Heavy Or Not , #98. Show link https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/122-krista-hawkins-the-leader-you-are-becoming/id1738602897?i=1000758278572 Krista's Links: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-legacy-partners Personal FB - https://www.facebook.com/krista.hawkins.9 Business FB - https://www.facebook.com/FUTURELEGACYPARTNERS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_kristahawkins_ How Early Sports Psychology Shapes Future Leaders and Influences Whole Industries
10 min
Coach's Secret Weapon: Quick, Privacy‑First Lesson Plans Tailored to Sport, Age, and Time To the Lesson Generator for Mental Skills for Young Athletes. Break the Closed‑Loop Coaching Hierarchy with Independent Oversight and Transparent Performance Structure In episode #96 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, you'll get a quick introduction to the brand‑new mental‑skills resource for parents, teachers and youth coaches. The lesson generator is a free website that support the book, Mental Skills for Young Athletes. Get the quick how‑to on turning a book into ready‑made practice plans and learn why structural safeguarding is now non‑negotiable. In the second part of the episode, hear of the latest findings on abuse in Canadian sports — swimming included. The free mental‑skills lesson generator: pick a chapter, sport, age group, and time to get a custom 15‑minute practice plan. How the tool integrates Dr. John Hogg's animal‑character stories while keeping all data private—no accounts, no tracking. Quick overview of the "Mental Skills for Young Athletes" book and pricing options for individuals and whole teams. Key takeaways from the Future of Sport in Canada Commission report on systemic maltreatment in competitive swimming. Recommended safety reforms: independent safeguarding officers and decoupled oversight to protect athletes and coaches. Future of Sport in Canada Commission Final Report Transforming Sport in Canada: Time for Action Link to the full report: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/future-sport/participate/final-report.htm
22 min
Coming soon!
9 min
Pillars of Team Success: Consistency, Trust, Adaptability, and Coach Leadership Episode #94 of Heavy or Not, we hear from elite coach Harkai Hunor's playbook for building a winning team culture. Learn the concrete steps you can apply to any sport or organization today. What you'll learn: The seven non‑negotiable pillars of on‑court discipline and consistency. Why off‑court community building is as crucial as X's and O's. Quick‑win tactics for gaining player trust and boosting performance. How to adapt coaching philosophy to players, leagues, and local culture. The coach's ultimate role: embodying the culture and earning respect through character. The difference between a good team and a great team has almost nothing to do with drills or tactics! In a WAFSU.org seminar, international coach Harkai Hunor explains why the real work of coaching happens off the court —through consistency, culture, mentorship, and the small psychological moves that help athletes believe in themselves. Drawing on experience coaching in eight different countries, he shares practical lessons about building team culture, developing players, motivating teams, and avoiding the biggest mistakes young coaches make. If you coach athletes, or plan to, this talk is packed with ideas you can apply immediately. Watch the full seminar at either: https://wafsu.org/course/building-team-culture-lessons-from-a-coach-across-eight-countries/ or on Substack at: Heavy Or Not - The OG Swim Guide Building Team Culture: Lessons from a Coach Across Eight Countries Read more 4 days ago · 2 likes · 1 comment · Mark Rauterkus Download the PDF Transcript: https://wafsu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/build-team-culture-transcript.mp3.pdf
7 min
Lifeguard Recruiting Campaign: Serve, Train, and Inspire While Safeguarding Water Activities Nationwide Check out the lifeguard recruiting film and the behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps our waters safe, and a bonus fortune insight. We also share a visual preview of the ISCA Senior Cup teams. This episode, #93, is very visual. Those with an audio only feed are missing out on the graphics of the short film and the logos of the teams. What it really takes to be a lifeguard – training, skills, and purpose How to apply through your local lifeguard agency (USLA & Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Fund) Watch the full video on YouTube at https://YouTube.com/@ucanswim Fortune segment: "Don't expend energy trying to be someone you're not" and its link to Mental Skills for Young Athletes, https://swimisca.com Sneak peek of the ISCA Senior Cup 2026 team logos (to gather in St. Petersburg, FL) https://www.usla.org/ https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/ https://SwimISCA.org
12 min
Education, Safety Barriers, and Collaborative Funding Initiatives From Grants to Lifeguards: Building a Safer Water Environment for All Ages Reducing Drowning Risks: Parents, Schools, and Policy Working Together for Water Safety In episode #92, we break down the stark reality of drowning worldwide and explore practical steps to keep kids and communities safe around water. We also discuss emerging grant opportunities in Florida and how local leaders can turn them into sustainable swimming programs. Listen in as Barry and Mark aim to make an impact around the water. Eye‑opening drowning statistics and the WHO's top recommendations for prevention. Why barriers, constant supervision, and basic survival swimming are essential for children of all ages. How Florida's new grant program aims to get every child in the state to learn to swim and what it means for local clubs. Strategies for building multi‑stakeholder coalitions—councils, First Nations, schools, and sponsors—to fund and manage community pools. Tips for linking high‑school pools to instructor training, revenue generation, and sponsor outreach to create lasting impact. Join the club as we aim for harnessing Community Support to Fund Swim Lessons and Prevent Water‑Related Tragedies Water saves lives, but it can also silently kill – 23,000 drownings a year in the WHO European Region, 63 per day. Prevention starts with barriers and constant supervision for children; a moment's lapse can be fatal. Teaching basic survival swimming to all ages builds confidence, not Olympic ambition, and saves lives. Lifeguard and bystander rescue training must prioritize personal safety; one rescue shouldn't become two victims. Coordinated community plans—schools, councils, First Nations, sponsors—turn grants and facilities into lasting drowning‑prevention programs.
9 min
Last Splash and Exit of Women Swim and Dive Team at Marshall University, episode #91 Open, Closing, Exit and Calls to Action for WPIAL Swimmers, Broadcasters and the ISCA Hall of Fame Tribute They CUT Women's Swimming and Diving at Marshall University just as the team was departing for its conference meet. Ugh squared. Nobody is explaining the Title IX confusion. In this episode, I break down what's really happening, how you can take action, and why this affects every program in the country. Swim Community: Your urgent steps are necessary on various fronts. If you care about swimming, broadcasting, or protecting women's sports, you cannot skip this episode. I'm unboxing a new book Mental Skills for Young Athletes , calling out a blundering hurd issue, seeking bio insights for WPIAL athletes and asking YOU to help shape the future Hall of Fame Tribute for the class of 2026. Pointer: Jackie Johnson, a voice for women's sports at Facebook reels at https://www.facebook.com/jackie.johnston.5220 . https://SwimISCA.com for the book, Mental Skills for Young Athletes WPIAL Show Insights at https://ISCA.blue Upload for Hall of Fame Tributes to https://UCANSwim.WeTransfer.com Broken Hurd. Kate Lundsten Matt Kredich Ray Looze