I have a swim family. What does that mean? Well, that we (meaning my children) swim on a swim team and are in the water at least 5 times a week. It is an activity that all my children can participate in and work to be their best. While I may know the benefits that swimming has brought to my family, many who have never participated in it as a sport have probably never thought of the wealth it has to offer. Recently, my family and I were given the opportunity to go hear about the benefits of swimming from three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, Dick Franklin (dad to four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin) and Pat Dwyer (dad to Olympic gold medalist, Conor Dwyer). And to top it off, my kids got to have a swim lesson with Rowdy Gaines!
SwimToday.org is working together with Olympians and their families to spread the word that swimming is the #FunnestSport. Dick Franklin said that one of the things Missy’s coach stressed was that swimming is all about fundamentals, with the first 3 letters being FUN! 
The panel all agreed that making time in the pool fun is key to making a successful swimmer at any level. I found it interesting that 80% of families who have enrolled their children in swim lessons don’t consider swimming when thinking about sports for their child. In addition, parents who never tried swimming as a sport perceive it to be less fun than other sports. I grew up playing other team sports, but as a parent I couldn’t be happier with the amount of fun and life long friends my children have through participating in swimming.
In listening to Rowdy, Dick and Pat talk about raising Olympic swimmers, I heard them talk about all the benefits swimming has brought to my family. Both Dick and Pat said how some of their families’ best friends were found on the swim team. That swimming builds great character, teamwork, time management and dedication. And best of all, everyone can participate in swimming! I love the swimtoday.org quote “swimming is inclusive, there are no benchwarmers (nor benches) in swimming.” It’s so true! And if you are looking to have active children, swimming burns 650 calories in an hour, which is more than almost any other sport! Just be ware, no one eats like a swimmer either!
My family participates in other sports and activities beyond swimming. I think it helps make everyone well rounded and gives a chance to experience different things. But swimming is our year round sport, and one that all 4 of my children get excited about. It’s great to see their self-confidence and self-esteem grow when they get a personal best time or their team cheers them on in a relay (even at practice). Not only does swimming have a low risk of injury, it is a life skill that will set them up for fitness their entire lives. And where they might not have fit in on one team, their swim team definitely includes everyone. Will they be Olympic swimmers? Only time will tell what level they will work to achieve. But I do know that they have found a sport they love and when given the chance to race against three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, my son almost out touched him on a 25 free, which will be a story he can tell for a lifetime.
Interested in giving swimming as a sport a try? Visit SwimToday.org to find a local club near you. It’s the best thing we’ve done for our children, and in our minds is definitely the #funnestsport!
Follow SwimToday on Twitter: @swimtoday
Like SwimToday on Facebook: www.facebook.com/funnestsport
About Julie: I’m a 41 year old SAHM, independent demonstrator with Uppercase Living, a self-taught artist/crafter (whichever term you want to put with what I create), and former social worker. My life revolves around myself, husband, son (12), daughter (9), and twin daughters (7). That makes 6 to keep up with! We have an active family who loves the outdoors, scouting, swimming, and volunteering. You can find me at http://juliecorrigan.
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