One with the Water is proud to announce founder and head coach Kenneth Rippetoe is now a Level 3 certified U.S. Masters Swimming Coach.

The US Masters Swimming is a nationwide, membership based nonprofit offering benefits to over 50,000 Master Swimmers around the country. These benefits include liability insurance, sport specific publications, sanctioned events, and more. USMS programs vary by location but the majority of programs include certified Masters Coaches on the pool deck. The highly trained coaches create and implement workouts and provide expert feedback and training.

By increasing his U.S. Masters Swimming Coach Certification to level 3, Coach Rippetoe continues to work hard to provide expert, quality coaching to swimmers of every age at every stage

“As a swimming and strength coach, it’s important for me to keep up with my education in order to continue to add value to our clients. My certifications let them know that I take this very seriously and they’re going to get the newest and best information to help them live a healthy and happy life, and a safe, smart workout when they’re with us.” – Coach Rippetoe

Adult Swim Lessons

From non-swimmer to competitor to triathlete, One with the Water adult swimming lessons provide a personal and customized swimming program designed to increase your skill, comfort level, and safety in the water.

And if you are a swimmer over the age of 18, consider all that a US Masters membership can do for you.

Congratulations again to Coach Kenneth, and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. (Remember that whole “Wait 30 minutes after eating to swim” is, in fact, an old wives tale favored by grandmas everywhere.)

As you give thanks this week for all that you’ve been given, would you consider using your resources to help your community? Aside from being the best swim school in LA, One with the Water is a nonprofit foundation specializing in teaching the most vulnerable members of our community the lifesaving skill of swimming. But we can’t do it without you.

By donating directly to our nonprofit foundation, you can help reduce the risk of drowning for at-risk populations by up to 80%. Thanks for being a part of our One with the Water family!

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 Press Release: US Masters Coaching Certification appeared first on One with the Water.

Mayor Jeffrey Cooper – jeffrey.cooper@culvercity.org – (310) 253-6041
Vice Mayor – Thomas Aujero Small – thomas.small@culvercity.org – (310) 253-6000
Council Member Jim B. Clarke – jim.clarke@culvercity.org – (310) 775-1664
Council Member Göran Eriksson – goran.eriksson@culvercity.org – (310) 559-6015
Council Member Meghan Sahli-Wells – meghan.sahli-wells@culvercity.org – (310) 845-5831

Dear Mayor Cooper, Vice Mayor Small, and Council Members,

I am writing to inform you of a decades-long policy change at the Culver City Municipal Plunge that is a dramatic change and will greatly decrease the revenue from adult patrons during the summer. For the last eleven years, I have been using the Culver City Municipal Plunge to train, exercise and stay healthy, by lap swimming up to 4 days per week between the hours of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Culver City Plunge. It is my understanding that your administration ordered the elimination of these lap swimming times used by both adults and minors.

As you know, Sony Studios is diagonally across the street from the Culver City Plunge, and Sony Entertainment is a large employment provider in your great city. Because the entertainment industry does not constrain itself to the typical 9-5 work day, many adults, like myself, are either in the entertainment industry or provide services to those that work in the entertainment industry. I believe it is important for your administration to consider this when providing services too. For most of us, it is the only time that we have to work out due to our out-of-the-norm work schedules.

Health Benefits

A study conducted by The University of California Berkeley found that the benefits of lap swimming “improves cardiovascular fitness, lowers cholesterol levels, … and places less demand on the heart than running and other sports.” Additionally, it has been proven that lap swimming can “help you lose weight, reduce body fat and waist circumference, while toning all major muscles (arms, shoulders, hips, legs). Swimming is also a good way for runners and cyclists to cross-train, since it uses different muscles.” The Culver Plunge serves many triathletes from the LA TRI Club and the California Triathlon Club. The Plunge also serves Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), an adult swimming fitness group. I personally train and coach with SCAQ, as I am a U.S. Masters Certified Level 2 Swim Coach. Studies have also shown that swimming can help with arthritis and back-pain relief. I had a tumor removed from my spinal cord and I now use swimming to help me with my back-pain relief.

“A 2009 Turkish study found that aquatic exercise helped relieve chronic back pain better than a land-based program. Also in 2009, a Belgian review article in Clinical Rehabilitation found sufficient evidence to conclude that aquatic exercise is a safe and effective way to relieve chronic low-back pain. And a 2006 Swedish study found that water exercise reduced the incidence of back pain in pregnant women. Working out in water reduces the stress on the spine, promotes muscle relaxation and improves joint flexibility.”

The summer schedule change is quickly approaching and will change before your next scheduled meeting. I kindly ask, if it’s not too much trouble, that this matter be given immediate attention. Your responsiveness to the city’s concerns thus far in your term of office make us certain that you will give equal weight to our request. Please reevaluate the policy change of the elimination of lap swimming times, to allow for at least 3 to 4 Long Course Lanes between the hours of 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, which will also allow minors/children to enjoy the diving boards and shallow-water areas at the same time, and allow SCAQ to have a minimum of 1-hour during the recreational and lap swim time, which serves between 35 to 45 adults every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Rippetoe

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/fitness/active-lifestyle/article/why-swimming-so-good-you

Kenny

Kenny is a baby Bottlenose dolphin, of the genus Tursiops, one of the most common and well-known members of the family Delphinidae, the family of oceanic dolphin. He is very playful and friendly and loves to frequently leap above the water surface. Kenny plays with water toys, enjoys making bubble rings, and plays well with other dolphins or other animals.

The post Bring Back Lap Swimming Lanes in Culver City appeared first on One with the Water.

I was shocked, and secretly vindicated, when I discovered as an adult that eating and swimming directly afterward was not, in fact, going to result in me drowning in the throes of terrible stomach cramps. (For posterity sake, however, I must admit that I am all in on the TV time rule, and I half-heartedly attempt the one at a time rule at Christmas. And I am as bossy as she was with a camera.)

In the interests of 8-year-olds everywhere (and the rest of you who may still believe this), stick around while I debunk this and other popular (and dangerous) swimming myths.

MYTH #1: I have to wait thirty minutes (or an hour) after eating before swimming. (Grandma said so!)

FACT: Much to the chagrin of exhausted parents everywhere, this is NOT TRUE. The thought behind this oft-wielded rule is that the blood rushing to your digestive system to help process your meal is diverted from your arms and legs. The resulting loss of blood causes cramps and potential drowning. While it is true that more blood moves to the stomach to aid in digestion, it is nowhere near enough to cause your muscles to fail. Our body produces the volume of blood needed to perform many functions at once. In fact, swimming produces adrenaline, which can step up oxygen delivery to needed areas. Rather than sitting out, use common sense when eating and swimming – heavy meals tend to make you more lethargic and engaging in heavy exercise on a full stomach is more likely to cause stomach upset. So by all means, wait if you are in a post-lunch food coma. Otherwise, dive on in! 

MYTH #2: There is no need to wear sunscreen – after all, I’m mostly under the surface of the water. Or, it’s cloudy today, I don’t need sunscreen at all!

FACT: Wear sunscreen. Full stop. Everyone is susceptible to skin cancer, no matter your age, race, or gender. Studies show an estimated 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their life. On top of that, water, sand, and snow INCREASE your need for sunscreen because they act as a powerful reflector of the sun’s rays.  And just because you tan beautifully, doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen! Both tans AND sunburns are signs of skin damage. Here are some quick tips to maximize sunscreen usage.

• Apply 30 minutes before swimming, then reapply, reapply, reapply! Every 40 to 80 minutes, depending on the water resistance level.
• Pay attention to expiration dates. Ingredients can break down over time.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of SPF 15 or higher, but the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is 1% more protection.
• Wear sunscreen on cloudy days. UVA/UVB rays can penetrate clouds and even glass! On cloudy days, as much as 80% of the sun’s dangerous UV rays can still damage your skin.

MYTH #3: No need to stay hydrated – after all, I’m IN the water!   

FACT: Swimming is a strenuous sport, and like any other vigorous activity, can cause loss of fluids through sweating. Because we are in the water, however, we are LESS likely notice, and therefore more susceptible to dehydration. So, when planning a day at the pool, the lake, or the beach, begin hydrating long before you hit the water, and continue throughout the day. Athletes training in the pool should drink actively hydrate throughout the day and add in electrolyte replacements as needed. In the immortal words of my drill sergeant: “DRINK WATER.”

MYTH #4: Drowning is loud and easy to spot. I’ll know if my child is in trouble!

FACT: Due to the Instinctive Drowning Response, so named by Dr. Francesco Pia, drowning is often silent, and happens within eye and earshot of other people. According to the CDC, drowning is the second leading cause of death among children between the ages of 1 and 14. Additionally, just under half of these accidental drownings will occur within 25 yards of an adult, and in approximately 10% of cases, the adult will actually watch the drowning occur.

According to Dr. Pia and Mario Vittone, a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer, here are the signs to watch for:

• Unable to call for help
• Unable to raise arms and wave for help
• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs – Vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder.

Parents, stay close to your babies. It only takes a second. Trust me, I know. Stay within arms reach of non-swimmers, and only use Coast Guard approved flotation devices.

There. I hereby pronounce you safely equipped to start swimming, whether it be after lunch or before!

And if perhaps you don’t actually know how to swim, choose from one of our popular swim programs to get started today. We offer infant, child, adult and programs for individuals with special needs. Don’t be a statistic!

You can help us save other peoples’ lives too. Have you already experienced what swimming can do? Partner with us today to teach economically disadvantaged children, children with special needs, and Service-Disabled Veterans to become One with the Water. Help reduce the risk of drowning for children by up to 88%!

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 Four Swimming Safety Myths Debunked appeared first on One with the Water.