From the Swimming World website... By Chandler Brandes, Swimming World College Intern "I didn’t choose the distance life. The distance life chose me." Well, not quite. Distance swimmers are all born the same way: we swam the 500 for the first time around age nine or 10 and didn’t do too badly, so our coaches put us in it again at the next meet. Read more >>

From the SwimSwam website... By SwimSwam Contributors (courtesy of Kevin Pierce) In swimming and every other sport, emotions are often magnified. The water has a unique way of reflecting our efforts, triumphs, and setbacks back at us. A disappointing swim in a meet can feel devastating, especially when expectations are high. But here’s a hard truth: the right to be upset about a poor performance isn’t automatically granted. It must be earned through commitment, effort, and discipline both in and out of the pool. Without that foundation, frustration becomes misplaced...

From the Swimming World website... By Summer Finke It’s that time of year again. Practices gradually become shorter, the yards start to decrease, and the energy is at an all-time high. It’s taper time. For swimmers, tapering marks the beginning of championship season – a period of rest and recovery carefully catered to each swimmer to help you perform at your absolute best at the most important moment. Read more >>

From the Swimming World website... By Eric Bugby Congratulations, you’ve made the decision to swim in college. Swimming in the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, or CCCAA is an opportunity and feeling like none other. It combines the best of club and high school. The people you meet and friends you make will last a lifetime. Read more >>

From the USA Swimming website... If you've been at a large public event like a triathlon or marathon recently, you may have noticed booths set up to provide athletes with IV infusions, promising fast rehydration or immune-boosting properties from vitamin infusions. Some nutritionists and naturopathic doctors are also prescribing vitamin infusions via IV on a regular basis. But should your young athlete be considering an IV infusion? Read more >>

From the Swimming World website... By Delaney Lanker, Swimming World Magazine College Intern I once had a coach tell me that butterfly was the easiest stroke. At the time, I just looked at him and rolled my eyes. But, here I am years later, a Division I butterflier, and I might have come to believe him. This means I must have gone crazy right? But after endless 100 and 200 butterfly sets and constantly sore shoulders, it doesn’t seem that bad anymore. Read more >>

From the USA Swimming website... By TrueSport / Betsy Butterick If you've ever tried to do any goal setting or planning for the future with your athlete, you may have struggled to help them hone in on what really matters to them. This can happen whether they're simply trying to prepare for the upcoming softball season or debating which colleges to apply to in the fall. Read more >>

From the USA Swimming website... By TrueSport / Laura Lewis, PhD Caffeine, especially in soft drinks or energy drinks, may seem relatively benign. But it can have detrimental effects on your athlete, and in some cases, it can even be deadly. Here, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) Director of Science, Laura Lewis, PhD, explains what you need to know to keep your athletes safe when it comes to caffeine intake, and how to help them improve their energy without relying on caffeine. Read more >>

From the SwimSwam website... By Ari Meyer As the winter chill settles in, it’s the perfect time to savor the vibrant fruits and vegetables of the season. One standout? Pomegranates! Read more >>

From the Swimming World website... By DAWN WEATHERWAX, RD, LD, ATC, CSCS As an athlete, maintaining your health is crucial for optimal performance. The world’s top athletes experience fewer illnesses and injuries, thanks to their focus on recovery, nutrition and smart training. Here are 10 transformative strategies to keep you healthy all season long! Read more >>