Swimming News courtesy of the USA Swimming Foundation
David Marsh – 2014 Arena Grand Prix at Mesa (courtesy of Mike Lewis, olavistaphotography.com)
After a successful debut, the USA Swimming Foundation will open the doors to the renowned U.S. Olympic Training Complex Aquatic Center for a series of Fantasy Camps. Attendees will enjoy workouts, workshops and National Team athlete interactions while residing on the iconic U.S. Olympic Training Center over multiple days.
The inaugural 2014 Youth Fantasy Camp for ages 12-17 will be held October 9–12, followed by an adult Fantasy Camp for ages 18 and older from October 17-19. Space is limited, with registration deadlines on September 3 for youth camp and September 10 for adult camp.
More information is available at www.usaswimmingfoundation.org/fantasycamp
“Saving lives and building champions is our mission and Fantasy Camp gives adults and now children the opportunity to live the experience of our National Team,” says USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse. “Having an opportunity to live, eat, and train like champions while engaging with elite athletes and coaches is a great way for people to understand what we do and how important it is to support the Foundation.”
Over four days, participants in the Youth Fantasy Camp will learn insight and instruction from three-time Olympic coach David Marsh, 2012 U.S. National Team Assistant Coach Todd Schmitz, USA Swimming Foundation Ambassador and Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Ervin, Olympian Gold Medal Mel Stewart, and two-time Olympian Chloe Sutton.
A week later, adults will be treated to their own National Team experience. USA Swimming Foundation Ambassadors and Olympic Gold Medalists Nathan Adrian and Rowdy Gaines highlight a roster of special guests, along with three-time Olympic champion Debbie Meyer. Serving as head coach is Bruce Gemmell, coach to Olympians Andrew Gemmell and multiple world record-holder Katie Ledecky.
Testimonials from inaugural 2013 Adult Fantasy Camp:
Elite Coach Bruce Gemmell – 2014 Arena Grand Prix at Mesa (courtesy of Mike Lewis, olavistaphotography.com)
“This was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Unless you made the Olympic Team in the past, you are unlikely to experience a training camp like this. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“A true ‘Fantasy’ experience. Just working on technique with Coach David Marsh for three days is priceless. Add to that meeting, swimming with and learning from five legendary US Olympic champs in the USA Olympic Training Center environment was beyond any expectations. I feel re-energized, faster and smarter in the pool already. Would do this again in a heartbeat.”
About the USA Swimming Foundation
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions— in the pool and in life. Whether we’re equipping our children with the life-saving skill of learn-to-swim through our Make a Splash initiative, or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to kids at all levels across the country. To learn more, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org.
About Make a Splash
The USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash initiative is a national child-focused water safety campaign, which aims to provide the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim. Through Make a Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation partners with learn-to-swim providers and water safety advocates across the country to provide swimming lessons and educate children and their families on the importance of learning how to swim. The USA Swimming Foundation has invested millions of dollars to provide grants to qualified Local Partner learn-to-swim programs, to spread national awareness, and to bring together strategic partners to end drowning. To date, more than 2 million children have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Local Partner network, comprised of more than 600 qualified lesson providers across the nation. To learn more, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org/makeasplash