Support Bernal’s Gator Swim Club marathon swim by donating at https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/0V7M5

When a tragic event happens, it’s normal for people to organize a marathon run in remembrance of those lost. But what happens when the event happens at a marathon? Cue the swimming community and The Swim Aids Hall of Famer Rhi Jeffrey.

Jeffrey and her team, Bernal’s Gator Swim Club, will host a marathon swim in memory of those killed and injured at the Boston Marathon. The Gator Marathon for Marathon Victims will be Monday, May 13, at the Minuteman High School pool in Lexington, Mass., with all age groups (from five to 26) swimming. All proceeds from the marathon swim will go directly to One Fund Boston.

“It will be a regular practice for us with a moment of silence for the victims,” Rhi said.

While Rhi is helping promote the marathon, the idea came from Aviva Munoz, 12, a swimmer in the club’s Silver Squad.

“I got the idea for the event when I was going to swim practice,” Aviva said. “My mom told me about the Boston Marathon tragedy and I immediately knew I wanted to do something about it.”

After later hearing about the injuries to the victims, Aviva wanted to participate in a swimming-related event to raise money for them and their families.

The only problem was there was nothing scheduled in the swimming community.

“Since my upcoming Bat Mitzvah is doing a project to give back to the community, I decided my team and I could organize a swim to benefit the victims on our own,” Aviva said.

After Aviva shared the idea with her mother, Dara, they spoke with Michelle Sweeny, age group director, who then talked it over with coach Bernal.

“My mom discussed how and when we would do it,” Aviva said. “I wrote emails to the team about the event and my dad made pledge sheets, which I handed out in practices. Rhi’s been helping by promoting the event to magazines and websites.”

“Most of us were pretty scared. A lot of us were on lock down in our homes for the entire day,” Rhi said. “It’s one thing to read about something like this, it’s a completely different thing to live it.”

For many, the attack on a sporting event also hit them hard. Nearly everyone in the Boston area had a connection to the Marathon bombing. Aviva’s coach’s husband is a detective in the Watertown Police Department and member of the SWAT team. Even her teammate was at the finish line when the bombs went off.

“Everyone in Boston area has a connection in some way,” she said. “It affected the lives of so many people.”

“I have loved Boston ever since I moved here back in 2008. It’s the only place I’ve ever really felt like home,” Rhi said. “My family is from here and I was born here so my roots in Massachusetts run deep. I’m excited to give back to a place that has done so much for me.”

Aviva looks forward to the swim marathon. Not only will she get to spend time with her teammates and bond over doing something important for the community. She also hopes the marathon and fundraising will continue to encourage the victims and inspire others to help.

“Every year, my family and I watch the marathon at mile 21,” Aviva said. “The Marathon brings the community out and everyone is so friendly that day. People encourage others who they don’t even know. I hope this swim will let people know that even if they’re young, they can still make a different in the lives of people and they can change the world.

“I hope our swim will inspire the community to do even more for the victims and even more for Boston going forward,” Rhi said. “I just hope people can find it in their hearts to help. What these people went through was devastating and they need our support.”

To donate to the Bernal’s Gator Swim Club’s swim marathon (funds will directly go to One Fund Boston, which aids victims and their families), visit https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/0V7M5

USA Swimming has announced the host city finalists for the 2016 Olympic Swimming Trials. *drum roll please*

Omaha, NE (sigh), St. Louis, MO, and San Antonio, TX.

I’ll tell you one thing: I’d only consider attending Trials if it’s not in Omaha. Everyone knows my thoughts on Omaha, but it’s more than that. It’s also a “been there, done that” type of deal for me. Besides, The Swim Aids favorite watering hole in Omaha has been shut down. So, what’s left for us now? Nothing, I say! NOTHING!

If it was in St. Louis, it’s possible that I could drive there, then I wouldn’t need to rent a car. I could also visit my old stomping grounds as I attended college in STL. I loved living there, and haven’t been back in 10 years, other than to fly in and drive to the Missouri Grand Prix. Also, I still have fellow alums in the area that I would love to see again! I may even end up crashing with some of them, which would erase the need for a hotel! Reunions are fun!

I’ve always wanted to sight-see in San Antonio. Um, hellooooo River Walk and Sea World! When SA was a finalist, the first time Omaha got the bid, I was rooting for them. Ah, what could have been!

So, now we wait! The host city announcement will be made via live webcast (go on with your bad selves, USA Swimming!) Saturday, April 27th at 6PM (ET). Bookmark the link below. You’ll be able to find the live feed on that page.

usaswimming.org/trials

So, who do you think wins the bid? Is it the same city as you want to win the bid?

In the afterglow of the Olympics I decided that I’d dip my toes into the fansite game, again, and start a site for Missy Franklin. I mean, she’s the absolutely coolest, is she not? And since she’s going to be around for a while, it was a good decision.

I bought the domain name in August. I quickly found a theme and set up WordPress. Then I hit the “webmaster wall.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve probably never created a site before. Consider yourself fortunate. It’s a designer’s version of Writer’s Block. Not a fun time.

I’ve actually been writing posts on the site rather regularly. But I have those hidden behind a “Coming Soon” page. What’s the hold up? I want to write a bio for Missy. I don’t just want to copy/paste what’s on Missy’s USA Swimming National Team profile (although I will include some of that info) or Wikipedia. I want to add some of my own writing style in the content, just like I will the posts. It really shouldn’t be that hard. I just keep putting it off. But it will be done within the next 2 months. And feel free to keep me accountable!

My friend Sarah decided to make a site for Chad Le Clos. She’s still in the “Coming Soon” phase too, so it’s not just me! We’re a little out of practice these days. Regularly blogging is a little different than a fansite.

If you want to join us and create a swimming site, or just any blog of your own (come on, all the cool kids are doing it), you should start with a domain and hosting. Check out Justhost Coupon. A lot of sites will try to sell you on bundling the domain with hosting, and have you pay $23456789 for the convenience. That’s not necessary. You can split those up with no real inconvenience, and score yourself a good deal in the process.

JustHost is a quality web host provider that has cheap plans which offer you lots of space, bandwidth, and add-ons to match whatever your needs are. And, if you visit the site and it looks like it’s written in a foreign language because of all the web talk, just click the Live Chat and talk to support. They’ll get you squared away! So, get started by checking out the coupon page and snag yourself a deal. They vary from free or cheap domains to discounted hosting, and everything in between. Then you can concentrate on the building process. And I hope it goes a lot faster than mine!

Seeing all the pageantry and attention that the Super Bowl got this past weekend made me think. (I bet Phelpsi is still celebrating, by the way) There is just sooooo much coverage and hype, and folks are watching from all over the world.

It reminds me of the Olympics, except that they only occur once every 4 years. There is still a ton of really exciting and competitive swimming taking place each year. Why can’t there be that type of attention from the general public?

I first started following swimming during the Athens Olympic Games, and part of the reason I first started making fan sites (Remember MrPhelps.com? And then 2 months later, SwimStars.org came along) was because I thought these amazing athletes deserved to be lifted up. The attention has come a long way since 2004, but it still has a ways to go!

We get live streams of competitions and occasionally NBC will give us an hour or so to see some action. No, it doesn’t hold a candle to Olympic Trials or Games coverage, but beggars can’t be choosy, right? And now there are plenty of websites and blogs. And with social media, there’s even more of an online presence. I’m very happy to have have a hand in the movement, no matter how small!

Swimming needs to keep Michael Phelps in the fold, even if he thinks he’s done racing. His show on the Golf Channel may not be about swimming, but he’s still known as one. The sport needs his star to shine, while also developing some new ones. (Come on down, Missy Franklin!) And as much slander as The Lochtenator’s reality show is getting, it’s still featuring a popular swimmer on a major TV channel, during prime time. Keep an eye on the prize!

I hope, in the next quadrennium, that another step is taken and we get some more actual racing and events on TV. Maybe, in my lifetime, swimming won’t ever get Super Bowl attention, but few sporting events rival that championship. I really just want more people to care on a regular basis. That’s not too much to ask. Is it?

Well, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Hi, everyone. Allow me to talk about something different for a minute. What’s that? Trees. Yes, trees. In particular, SherrillTree, who sells products to help professionals, educators, and enthusiasts care for trees. They also provide tree climbing gear, information, and tools. They can even hook you up if you’re into ziplining.

SherrillTree stresses proper care of trees and ensure those who take care of them do so safely. They have been supplying arborist supplies for over 50 years, so you know you can count on quality products and information.

I don’t often think about tree care, but I have lately because my beloved backyard Ash tree may be in danger. You see, the emerald ash borer is lurking in these parts, and destroying ash trees. They are a beetle-like, ash tree-killing insect from Asia. And once they infect your tree, it will likely have to be removed; or the city will come and do it for you.

We hire a local company to spray and take care of our Ash situation, but if we were doing it on our own, I’d give SherrillTree a look. I wouldn’t be surprised if the company we employ turns to them for equipment or tools.

The Bid Cities, who will battle it out for the honor of hosting the 2016 Olympic Swim Trials has been announced by USA Swimming.

According to Swimming World Magazine, the finalists are… *drumroll*

Greensboro, N.C.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Omaha, Neb.
St. Louis, Mo.
San Antonio, Texas

Good list, although a little shocked there isn’t a West Coast or California city on there anywhere. Or maybe that’s simply because they’ve moved on from having Trials outdoors. The trend seems to be taking a big event arena and building a pool inside.

The Swim Aids aren’t really big fans of Omaha. That’s been referenced many a time. Also, our main hangout, Farrell’s is no more. (Whatever would we do with our free time?) So, when the official host is announced at the end of April, we’ll pretty much be happy with any place selected AS LONG AS IT’S NOT OMAHA! I cannot stress that enough. Can we please go someplace else? Geez. But wait, there’s more! »

The TV Gods have answered our prayers, and the Lochtenator will grace our television sets with reality TV show goodness this Spring!

According to E! (which is home to all of the Kardashian franchises), What Would Ryan Lochte Do? will premiere in April and show us his day-to-day life.

The six-episodes will follow the self-proclaimed King of Gainesville, Fla. as he looks for love, hits the pool and provides a goldmine of GIF opportunities along the way.

Can’t wait! JEAH!