Google “fitness coach near me” and prepare to be overwhelmed by the results. If the definition of a coach is to train or teach an individual in a particular skill, then anyone can slap a label on and call themselves a coach. But what makes a good coach? What are the qualities of a coach that make them exceptionally qualified to instruct?

What are the qualities of a good Coach?

First, and most important, it is imperative that a coach has a strong background in and comprehensive knowledge of the basic science behind the movements they are teaching. For a barbell or a swim coach, that background includes anatomy & physiology, physics, biology, chemistry, and nutrition fundamentals. 

Additionally, a good coach will have experience coaching a lot of people, whether it’s working under a mentor, or using knowledge and study to grow his or her base of clients. The goal of any dedicated coach is to accumulate thousands of hours. Hours spent not just actively coaching, but reading, studying, and developing the skills, knowledge, and expertise necessary to make people more proficient over time. 

Communication 

Strong communication skills are also essential to be an effective teacher. The ability to get your client to understand and correctly perform the necessary movements depends on your ability to communicate. Positive commands, application of the growth mindset, and proper encouragement techniques are all vital to good communication. Finally, after the movement pattern is taught, cues are employed to perfect the execution of the movement as it is performed. 

“The coach’s cue is some form of communication that the coach employs during a lift, or part of a lift, that is designed to produce a physical response from the lifter, usually in the form of an adjustment or correction to the lifter’s movement.” – Starting Strength

For barbell work, utilizing the Starting Strenth method (currently offered as a training program by One with the Water), these are primarily in the form of verbal communication but can be visual and tactile. Starting Strength offers a theoretical approach to developing the coach’s cue, from both the lifter and the coach’s perspective. Effective cues come from both the strength coach and the lifter’s shared understanding of the lift, knowledge that comes from training, experience, and trust. As a lifter, make sure you choose coaches (not trainers) that exercise an in-depth comprehension of appropriate cues, used in a manner that effectively supports the lifter.

In the end, knowledgeable, experienced coaches will always find ways to make the process simpler rather than more complex for the trainee. This approach, in particular, is a telltale mark of a great coach and his or her willingness to pursue professional development. 

Besides offering premium swim lessons to the greater LA community, Coach Rippetoe is also a strength training coach, utilizing the Starting Strength method to help clients become fitter, stronger, and faster. If you are interested in safe, professional one on one coaching, contact us today. 

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post What are the qualities of a good coach? appeared first on One with the Water.

One with the Water, a nonprofit swim school dedicated to providing access to the lifesaving skill of swimming to everyone, especially children and adults with high risk, high needs, and limited resources, is honored and pleased to announce they’ve been awarded a generous grant from the Santa Monica chapter of the international Kiwanis organization. One with the Water will use the money provided to fund individual scholarships for special needs children with limited financial resources.

In past years, Kiwanis grant money received has been gifted to a wide range of children with issues ranging from COPD, downs syndrome, and heart conditions to Fragile X, severe autism, and ADHD. Without fail, the opportunity to become one with the water while learning to swim has had a profound positive effect on these courageous, committed athletes. We look forward to what another year will bring.

About One with the Water

One with the Water believes that everyone deserves access to the lifesaving skill of swimming, especially children and adults with high risk, high needs, and limited resources. Swimming lessons are taught using growth-mindset techniques, creating transformative miracles in their students both in and out of the water, as they shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. The organization is staffed by professional swimmers, expert competitive swimmers, and former Olympians. Founder, Executive Director, and Head Coach Kenneth Rippetoe has a Level 5 Disability Certification with the American Swimming Coaches Association and has trained with Kahlon Family Services and Inizio Interventions to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs. Tax-deductible donations to the One with the Water Swimming Foundation can be made at the organization’s website: OneWithTheWater.org.

About Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica

The mission of the international Kiwanis organization is to empower communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children. Established in 1922, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica is one of the top contributors to the children and community of Santa Monica, providing $30,000 worth of college scholarships last year and volunteering both time and money to support the local Boys and Girls clubs and multiple other local nonprofits serving the children of Santa Monica.

Contact:

For more information, visit www.kiwanisclubsm.org
Media Inquiries: One with the Water: 323.364.Swim (7946)
Website: OneWithTheWater.org

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post One with the Water Awarded New Kiwanis Club Grant appeared first on One with the Water.

In fact, for all ages under 85, young people between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rates of drowning nationwide, and these typically occur in natural water settings, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers. Additionally, an astonishing 80% of those are male. 

So how do you protect your teen from drowning? Follow these seven simple, common-sense tips to keep your child from being a statistic. 

7 Water Safety Tips For Teens

1. In a boat, wear a lifejacket. Sounds simple, but as mentioned, most of these drownings occur in natural bodies of water. Protect yourself and your loved ones by adding this layer of protection when boating. 
2. Don’t allow your teen to swim alone. Most of the drownings in this age group occur when children are swimming without adult supervision. Never let your teen swim alone or hang out near water without adult eyes on the situation. 
3. Additionally, when at the ocean, pay attention to posted swim warnings. Don’t go in the water without lifeguards and avoid dangerous undertows. 
4. Water safety is a family affair! Both you AND your teen should learn CPR. Be prepared to assist in an emergency. (I can’t emphasize this enough after my own experience with almost losing a child to drowning. Every adult should know CPR.
5. Inflatable life rafts do not count as a life preserver. Please do not rely on them to keep your child safe. 
6. Teach your teen to be smart in the water. Choose safe places to swim and scout the area for submerged dangers. Learn to recognize when hidden obstacles or powerful undertows could be present. Don’t drink and swim. 
7. Finally, learn to swim! Swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%. Know what to look for in a swim instructor (Not sure? Read this.) and follow up with premium swim lessons that will help your child to succeed both in the water and out. 

Parenting is hard. Keeping your children safe in seemingly scary times is hard. But we do have the tools, and we would encourage you to keep using them. Follow us here on the blog and Facebook for more safety tips, quality coaching, and swimming news. 

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Water Safety and Teens: 7 Ways to Keep Them Safe appeared first on One with the Water.

3 Heat-related Swimming Injuries

1. Heat exhaustion/heatstroke

Heatstroke is the most deadly and seems counter-intuitive when in the water. However, the danger occurs when the water temperature goes above the mid-eighties. Combined with high air temperatures, the symptoms of heat exhaustion can progress rapidly, resulting in heatstroke, a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention. If you are in the water (especially warmer water) and notice the following symptoms, you need to exit the water and get out of the sun immediately. (Source).

• Cool, pale skin
• Headache and nausea
• Weakness and exhaustion.
• Dizziness, faintness, and mental confusion
• Rapid, weak pulse.
• Fast and shallow breathing

2. Dehydration

Dehydration is often one of the key factors in heat exhaustion, and can easily occur in the water, even though the body is submerged. You can still sweat while working out in the water. Here are a few basic rules to follow when thinking about hydration:

• As a general rule, you should be drinking at least half your body weight in fluid ounces BEFORE accounting for training. According to Swimming World, you should add in at least 32/ounces per hour of training on top of that.
• Don’t just chug those 32 ounces all at once though. Ensure a steady intake throughout the workout by drinking about 8 oz every 15-20 minutes.
• If you are planning to work out at a moderate to high intensity for over an hour, consider adding electrolytes, in the form of light-colored sports drinks or coconut water prior to and during the workout.

Sunburn

Sunburn is another heat-related injury that can sneak up on you, even if you applied a liberal dose prior to swimming. Most sunscreen applications last about two hours before it begins to break down in the light. You should reapply every two to four hours or after swimming. A lot of people think the higher the SPF, the better. WRONG. Actually, after SPF 50, additional protection is negligible. The real issue is that most people apply sunscreen incorrectly, only using 25-50% of the recommended amount, reducing the actual protective abilities. New York City dermatologist Doris Day, MD told Reader’s Digest, “If you use SPF 50, you really get the protection of an SPF 20 based on how people actually apply it.” Focus on SPF 30-50 and make sure you apply it correctly and often. (See above).

Use the following application recommendations provided by the American Dermatology Association:

• Apply enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. Most adults need about 1 ounce — or enough to fill a shot glass — to fully cover their body.
• Don’t forget to apply to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears and the top of your head.
• Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors.
• Skin cancer also can form on the lips. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Remember, the water cannot protect your body from heat-related swimming injuries. You must be a proactive participant in protecting yourself from the heat-related dangers of swimming. Now, hydrate, apply sunscreen and go swimming!

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Three Heat-Related Swimming Injuries and How to Avoid Them appeared first on One with the Water.

Water is one of the essential elements for survival. Simply put, life would not exist without it. Yet, the beauty of water goes beyond the forging of a living soul. Water creates endless possibilities within life. Water carries us from shore to shore on Earth. Water purifies, cleanses, and blesses. Water allows us to feel free and alive as it swirls around inside of us in a steady movement carrying the secrets of our ambiances. As water mystically flows around, it appears as though it has no direction or course. No path until a human being jumps, dives, steps, or plunges into the depths of its greatness, and suddenly water is filled with the deepest passion and purpose.

I know this because I have personally witnessed how the humble element of water can influence one’s life. Starting from a young age, I have simply been in love with the water. I remember swimming in pools, oceans, and lakes for hours upon end. The water fostered my self-confidence and self-worth as it embraced me for who I was as a person without questioning or judging me.

My relationship with water.

Water has been a soothing constant and its prominence has had immense guidance throughout my life. When I was ten years old, I learned about Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim across the English Channel. I remember looking at my dad and assertively telling him, “Dad, one day I will swim across the English Channel, too.” Ten years later, starting on the rocky shores of Dover, England and swimming all the way to mossy boulders on the coast of Calais, France awakened a burning light inside of me that will ignite for eternity. I found myself craving more intimate experiences with the oceans, and my appetite for marathon swimming was aroused. The following year, I swam across Catalina Channel and the English Channel for a second time raising over $20,000 for Alzheimer’s research.

My relationship with water goes beyond the sport of swimming. It runs much deeper as the water has shaped me into who I am as a person today on many levels. As I prepare for my next event, I plan to support a non-profit organization that shares my adoration for the water. This coming September, I plan to complete my “triple crown” of swimming by racing in the 20 Bridges Swim, which is a 28-mile swim around the island of Manhattan. Along with achieving a lifelong goal of mine, I want to spread my enthusiasm for swimming to others.

One with the Water

One with the Water is a non-profit that provides access to the lifesaving skill of swimming to everyone, especially children and adults with high risk, high needs, and limited resources. The organization relies on donations to provide financial assistance to families and people who need swim lessons but cannot afford it. Swimming is a lifesaving skill as drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-14. With this, providing people with swim lessons goes beyond just helping them learn how to swim. It also nurtures them with confidence, esteem, worth, and discovery, which are vital components to development as a human being. Water is one of the essential elements for survival in many ways. When I swim, I feel like I am truly One with the Water. 

As I embark on my next journey in the open and free waters of New York, I aspire to allow others to also become One with the Water and dive into the vastness of endless possibilities.

-Danielle Wahl, Marathon Swimmer.

Register for our exclusive open water swim clinic this May, taught by Danielle and plus we’d love you to click here to support Danielle’s Manhattan Swim and donate to One With the Water. CLICK HERE>

Danielle has 18 years of competitive open water swimming experience. Danielle competed at the national level in high school swimming in races such as the FINA Open Water National Championships. She also swam in college competing at the NCAAs and was a three-time All American athlete. Danielle has successfully crossed the English Channel two times (2013, 2014). Her English Channel swim in 2013 was the fastest swim of the season with a time of 9 hours and 49 minutes. In addition, Danielle has successfully crossed Catalina Channel (2014). This coming September, Danielle plans to swim Manhattan, which will complete her “Triple Crown.” On top of her swimming experience, Danielle has her Master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology and is extensively trained on the mental side of sport, performance and marathon swimming.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Danielle Wahl is One with the Water appeared first on One with the Water.

At One with the Water, we use three overarching principles in our guided, professional swim coaching. Harmony, inclusion, and mastery. Harmony, in particular, is our gentle approach empowering all students to feel safe and comfortable in the water. Statistics show just how necessary that principle is.

According to the CDC, approximately two-thirds of American adults are afraid of deep, open bodies of water and 46% are afraid of the deep end of a pool and 37% of Americans self-report being unable to swim. In order to even begin to overcome a fear of the water, it is our job as coaches to demystify the water, both explaining and teaching the properties of buoyancy and what happens when it is properly applied.

Buoyancy is a force in physics that is driven by Archimedes’ principle – fluid exerts a buoyant force, (opposing apparent gravity) on an immersed object that is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. It is driven by the average density of the object, so simply translated, if the density of the object is lower than the water, it floats. Additionally, buoyancy is not affected by depth, so The buoyancy of the human body is the same in deep water as it is in shallow water.

Based on the above principle, we know floating is attainable in water, but we also know due to the varied composition of individual bodies (fat versus muscle and bone) that we each have a unique density. To complicate matters, humans, as a rule, are not symmetrical objects.

So how do we maximize our buoyancy, learn to float, and take the first steps in becoming One with the Water? We do it by teaching balance.

Teaching balance.

Balance is the most important concept in swimming and the first step of our teaching progression. To build good swimmers, the first thing that you need to learn is body balance.

First, we position the whole body on the surface with your head in a neutral position and legs on the surface, not sinking behind them. (The back of the neck needs to be elongated, the face is in the water and eyes are looking down.)

Second, it’s important in learning this technique to know there are two main points on the body for swimmers

• Center of buoyancy (chest)
• Center of mass (hips)

Failure to keep the hips and head in line will result in hips and legs sinking. This, in turn, causes swimmers to bend their knees to kick, creating an undesirable vertical body line and for new swimmers, a panicking feeling as their lower body sinks.

So what should you do to keep the hips and chest on the surface?

1. Kick your legs. This will help bring hips up towards the surface and result in good hip position
2. Press your chest down. This will force the lower body, hips, and legs to move towards the surface
3. And finally, put more weight in front of your chest/body. This is achieved by keeping one or both arms in front of your body.

Register today for premium swim lessons.

Don’t let a misguided belief that you can’t float drive your fear of the water. We are trained in helping both children and adults overcome their fears to become One with the Water. Sign up for your premium lessons today.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Achieving Balance in the Water appeared first on One with the Water.

At One with the Water, our swimming lessons are taught using growth-mindset techniques. We witness transformative miracles in our students, both in and out of the water, as they shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset learn to love challenges, are intrigued by mistakes, and intentionally seek out new challenges. They have learned that their circumstances matter less than who they are. 

“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” – Carol Dweck.

Positive Feedback

A core component of parenting and coaching in a manner that fosters a growth mindset is the language we use in giving positive feedback. It requires the most intention and retraining due to our current culture of reflexive praise. As a parent myself, I still find this the most difficult to remember in the moment as I go about the daily tasks of raising tiny humans.

Our natural tendency is to respond with a phrase like, “Good job!” While well-intentioned, using this type of expression does nothing to delineate the line between talent, effort, and results. Rather than giving children feedback about how their process of work led to a specific outcome so they can continue to develop their abilities, saying “Good job” implies an end state of success.

Growth Mindset Tools

Instead of saying “good job,” consider the following statements when your child/student is successful in his or her effort. (Source: Mindset Works Growth Mindset Feedback Tool)

• I am so proud of the effort you put forth.
• I am very proud of you for not giving up and look at what you have to show for it!
• Congratulations – you really used great strategies for (fill in the blank).
• I want you to remember for a moment how challenging this was when you began. Look at how far you have come!
• All that hard work and effort paid off!
• The next time you have a challenge like this, what will you do?
• What choices did you make that you think contributed to your success?
• It’s exciting to see the difference in your work now when we compare it to your earlier work.
• Doesn’t it feel good to master this? How does it feel to master this?
• Are you proud of yourself? Tell me what makes you most proud.

Remember that all our responses, growth or otherwise, will have a natural effect on the children we are raising and coaching. We must be using the correct ones.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post What to say instead of “Good Job”: Growth Mindset Tools appeared first on One with the Water.

As 2019 is ending, we’d like to take a moment and say thank you. Our mission at One with the Water is to provide access to the lifesaving skill of swimming to everyone, especially children and adults with high risk, high needs, and limited resources.

Steven is a ten-year-old boy with a complicated mood disorder. Starting out, Guy was like every other child, happy and enjoying his little life. Between the ages of 3 and 6, behavioral issues began to occur that defied any typical diagnosis. After suffering abuse at the hands of a biological relative, Steven’s problems began to escalate. His mother fought for accurate diagnosis for years, finally getting help even as Steven’s issues peaked with self-harming and threats of suicide. 

With new doctors and a tailored treatment plan, Steven began participating in the swim lessons offered at One with the Water this year and loves it! He received a full scholarship and has made vast improvements in his personality and anger issues. 

The problem for children like Steven is real. According to decades of research, children with disabilities are statistically more likely to present in a low-income environment. (The average cost of private swim lessons in Los Angeles is over $200/month).

We know, again, based on decades of research, how powerful the therapeutic benefits of swimming can be for children with special needs. Water buoyancy allows previously restricted individuals to move freely and helps build muscle in low muscle tone individuals. Additionally, self-regulation, speech, oral motor control, strength, and coordination are just a few areas that can improve with therapy in the water.

Research also shows that participation in swimming for individuals with disabilities afforded the participants heightened senses of self-concept, independence, ability and pride, and an enhanced perceived quality of life. Athletes found that they were able to redefine their physical capabilities, strengthen social connections, and improve acceptance among their peers.

Lifesaving swim lessons create safer, happier, healthier, more confident kids. We can’t do it without you. As your year draws to an end, consider giving to One with the Water as part of your year-end giving plan. 

Finish strong by saving lives. Join us by donating to help provide need-based scholarships for high risk, high need children. When you give to One with the Water, you impact a child’s life on every plane – mentally, physically, and emotionally, for their lifetime. Please donate today to provide the lifesaving skill of swimming to those who need it most.

*Name changed for privacy reasons.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Give to Save Lives appeared first on One with the Water.

The five principles of One with the Water premium swim instruction.

First, we promise you our uninterrupted presence.  We work very hard to maintain eye contact, especially for our children with special needs. Your safety and well-being are our number one concern. We teach without distractions to avoid any possible safety hazards. If you have questions or concerns while we are teaching, we’d love to address them with you after the fact in order to remain focused on your child’s safety during the lesson. 

Second, we promise to set a high standard for you or your child. We create high but reachable standards of accomplishment for each lesson. Our overall goal is to teach you or your child to swim in less than 4 hours! We are in the business of miracles because we know our methods work.  

Third, we promise to impart life skills. We are preparing our students to learn to swim for exercise and enjoyment for the rest of their lives. We will develop your strengths in and out of the water, including both physical and mental conditioning.  

Fourth, we promise to motivate you or your child.  Swimming is a life-changing skill. It’s therapeutic, calming, and a mental game-changer. And we get to make it fun for you! 

And finally, we promise positive encouragement. We teach all our lessons with laughter and learning. We’ll help you be gentle on yourself when you make mistakes using those opportunities to learn to overcome fear and build confidence. 

Register today.

Swimming isn’t just about drowning prevention and building skills. We teach you to incorporate the positive power of swimming throughout the whole of your life, using growth, hard work, persistence, and motivation to be successful in and out of the water. That is our promise to you. 

If you haven’t already, register today for life-changing swim lessons we provide.  

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Five Principles of Premium Swim Lessons appeared first on One with the Water.

This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to be the neighborhood hero and offer life changing transformation to local kids who need it most. 

The harsh reality is that one in every five drowning deaths occur in children under the age of fourteen, and accidental drowning is the leading cause of death in California between the ages of 1 and 4. Children with special needs have increased drowning risk factors and are statistically more likely to present in low income families, creating a potentially fatal combination of high risk and little to no resources to address the dangers.

Help prevent drowning this Giving Tuesday.

Drowning prevention for members of our most vulnerable populations is literally a matter of life and death. Aside from an increased risk of drowning, children with permanent disabilities who lack consistent therapeutic interventions face increased isolation, increased care requirements, decreased mental health, increased fear and anxiety, and shortened life expectancy.

Swimming provides measurable health and therapeutic benefits for our special needs community, in and out of the water. From better balance and gross motor skills, to improved speech and communication, our athletes are changing their lives by learning to swim. Their risk of accidental drowning plummets by 88%. Being a part of a team reduces isolation and creates positive peer relationships that carry over outside of the pool. And finally, they have the confidence to conquer their fears.

For seven years now, One with the Water has been offering need-based scholarships for premium swimming lessons to children with special needs, service disabled veterans, and low income families in Los Angeles county. Staffed by expert competitive swimmers and former Olympians, we have the only Level 5 Disability certified swim coach in Southern California.

 Be A Local Hero

We know you want to be compassionate, involved members of your community. When you donate to One with the Water, you create real and lasting change in the lives of our adaptive athletes. They are confident, courageous, successful, and safe, thanks to you!

All you need to do is give.

Every dollar you give, whether it’s $10 or $200, goes DIRECTLY to providing swim lessons. Each penny counts, so don’t be intimidated by large amounts. It takes a village, and you are ours.

Communities are changing. Families are changing. Lives are changing. Don’t miss your chance.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Be a hero this Giving Tuesday appeared first on One with the Water.