Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Fwd: AAU SKWIM

Saturday, August 06, 2016

Fwd: AAU SKWIM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kevin McCarthy <kevin@skwiminternational.org>

Dear Michael:

I hope you are having a great summer with family friends and AAU activities! This is Kevin McCarthy with SKWIM International and SKWIM USA. I am reaching out to you today in the wake of several local North West youth drownings this summer, to open a dialogue with you about the AAU and regarding the new and growing water-sports game entitled SKWIM.

SKWIM™ (pronounced like 'swim' but with the added 'k', 'skwim') is an internationally growing 8-year old water-disk sports game for the whole family and all of the community. The game dynamic and equipment allows the activity to be enjoyed from ages 5 to 95. SKWIM is played in both shallow and deeper water, both recreationally and competitively, and by beginning, intermediate and advanced swimmers. SKWIM is the very first water sport game to invite all ages and abilities to participate despite their ability or inability to swim, and therefore has the growing potential to quickly become the most widely played and enjoyed water activity ever. SKWIM programming includes learn-to-swim, open water safety and lifesaving curriculum and is coached by certified lifeguards.

I am reaching out to you in this 'Olympic' season because I want to learn more about the AAU and any interest the AAU might have locally and nationally in helping to enhance water safety through game play. Unlike any other physical activity, swimming provides simultaneous full-body exercise and therapy. Also unlike any other physical activity, water exposure takes the lives of thousands each year in the USA and hundreds of thousands internationally. SKWIM USA was founded in 2010 as a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to significantly reduce the drowning rate in the USA and to also help curb the international drowning rate, by offering an engaging and interactive team game that both teaches and certifies youth and adults in water safety and lifesaving aquatic skills.

The game of SKWIM promotes swimming, communication and teamwork within an exciting and engaging structure, while encouraging individual self-expression and style. SKWIM shares the vital success traits of soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, football, hockey and cricket, which are globally the most popular sports activities for participation and for spectatorship – and all interactive team games.

THE COMMON ELEMENTS OF INTERACTIVE SPORTS GAMES

Games provide the vast majority of player, spectator, media, retail, wholesale, commercial, and fan engagement, of all the athletic and physical activities.

1) An implement for passing to teammates and scoring (a soft SKWIM Disk)

2) Interactive Strategic Team Play (The SKWIM Disk is played on the water)

3) A Score zone or goal for each team (enhanced by 360-degree scoring in SKWIM)

4) Personalized Uniforms and or headwear (SKWIM Team Headbands, Jerseys with numbers and names)

5) Specialized Footwear (PDF SKWIM Fins which increase speed, maneuverability and safety in open-water)

6) Lifetime and Generational Play (SKWIM Starts at age 5 and is easily played into late senior years)

SKWIM is the first game to feature all of these elements in aquatic play. SKWIM is governed by the nonprofits SKWIM USA and SKWIM international. The game equipment is distributed by the international lifesaving brand eLifeguard in Florida. I hope the AAU might find this game to be a great match for its mission in the water, and that we can explore ways to help youth find water safety, fitness, and aquatic team play. SKWIM is developing cooperative relationships with the Red Cross, USLA, USA Swimming, U.S. Aquatics Sports, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, JCC, CYO, Special Olympics and Diversity in Aquatics. We hope to build a relationship also with the AAU for 2017 play.

Michael, if you would like to join in on a recreational SKWIM game, you are invited any Friday evening to join in at the Evans Pool Green Lake- Seattle at 6:45pm, which hosts a family SKWIM game for all ages!

Hope to see you there!

Play SKWIM,