The 2011 USA Swimming Open Water National Championships have been relocated from Fort Myers, Fla., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The 10k race will be held June 10 and the 5k race will remain on June 12. The USA Swimming Board of Directors approved this change in venue.   The change in venue is designed to provide the safest possible environment for the event, and is in keeping with recommendations made by the Open Water Commission, which included the recommendation that races exceeding 5K should not be held in water...

  Florida Swimming is committed to promoting inclusion by creating opportunities for people of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds to gain knowledge, experience and to participate in the sport of swimming. The primary purpose of Florida Swimming’s Outreach and Diversity initiative(s) shall be to increase multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity and to foster an inclusive environment at all levels of the competitive swimming sport as well as water safety. The primary function of the FL Swimming Outreach and Diversity Committee shall be to establish and encourage the development of policy,...

 Plans will move forward with GCST hosting the Florida Swimming Open Water Championships, and FS VS. FGC Open Water All-Star Challenge at Ft. Myers Beach. The dates and events are listed as follows: Saturday,  June 11th       8:00 a.m.    The Canadian 10K World Trials and USMS 10K Nationals 6:00 p.m.    The Crippen Mile Sunday,  June 12th          8:00 a.m.    Florida Swimming Open Water Championships       Florida Swimming   VS.  Gold Coast Open Water Challenge As always, the Open Water Festival located on Ft. Myers Beach will be one of the safest...

 It has come to our attention that there is considerable inconsistency in the application of Article 101.2.3 as it relates to judging the single butterfly kick prior to initiation of the first arm pull in breaststroke. In 2008 the following interpretation was issued, and it is hereby reiterated. Read more...  

To:         All FL Clubs, Official, Coaches and Non-Athlete Members: From:     Florida Swimming, Inc. Re:        USA-S Online Tests Deactivated April 15 to May 1, 2011   Important Notice – ALL online officials tests will be deactivated on April 15th for updating to the 2011 Rulebook and will be reactivated on May 1, 2011. This is the same update that takes place every year and there is nothing wrong with the website. The test update message is posted on the website.  The deactivation also applies to the FOUNDATIONS OF COACHING TEST, but it appears that Safety Training...

  In accordance with the recommendations released by the Open Water Review Commission on Tuesday, USA Swimming is re-evaluating the site selection for the 2011 Open Water National Championships. Previously scheduled for Fort Myers in June, concerns have arisen regarding potentially warm water temperature in Fort Myers.   USA Swimming asks all athletes and coaches planning to attend to delay making travel arrangements until the location is finalized. We thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue. As soon as we have further information, we will...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Swimming today released the recommendations made by the five-person commission appointed to review the circumstances surrounding the death of open water athlete Fran Crippen at a FINA race in the UAE on October 23, 2010. The full list of recommendations is available here.   An approved safety plan including communications systems and the ability to monitor and reach swimmers during the race as well as minimum and maximum water temperature requirements are among the recommendations made.   “This commission was given two specific charges, and...

5 swimmers from our LSC were chosen to attend the National Diversity Select Camp in Colorado Springs from May 5-8, 2011. The swimmers are Ali Talwar (Bolles) Wesley Olmsted (High Tide Aquatics) Jason Coombs (Blue Dolphins) Alexander Pena (Highlander Aquatics), and Kyle Kimura (Tampa Bay Aquatics). Congratulations to these swimmers! The complete roster and information can be viewed here.  

Here is information regarding submitting Amendments to the Rules and Regulations Committee. Article 511, pages 125 and 126 of the 2011 USA Swimming Rules and Regulations, provides information about submitting proposed amendments to the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations Committee. Deadline date for submitting written proposals is May 15. All proposed amendments should be submitted to Dan McAllen, Chair of the Rules and Regulations Committee. Dan has specified that his preferred way to receive amendments, especially on the longer ones, is via e-mail. He will acknowledge receipt of all e-mailed...

YMCA Short Course Championships: Sarasota Wins Combined Team Title -- April 8, 2011 FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, April 8. THE YMCA Short Course Championships came to a close with several more YMCA records going into the ledger. Sarasota won the combined team title with 749 points, while Middle Tyger took second with 736.5 points. Triangle Area (624), Wilton (549.5) and York (341) rounded out the top five. Sarasota's Nicholas Caldwell chimed in with a YMCA record time of 15:10.16 to win the men's 1650 free. That time clipped the 15:10.41 set by Charlie Houchin...