“It only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown, and drowning incidents continue to occur in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Children, especially those five years and younger, don’t understand the danger of falling into water and don’t usually splash, cry or call out for help,” said Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Dean McGuire.

Local firefighters and lifeguards helped draw attention to water safety by demonstrating pool safety techniques in the same entertaining, fun-filled atmosphere that drew over 1,500 local residents to the station last year. They simulated the poolside rescue of a young drowning victim (Francine and Dante, both swimmers at Academy Swim Club, volunteered!) and shared a real 9-1-1 drowning call with the audience.  Expo partners also provided educational activities to help local families take steps toward the prevention of drowning and near drowning.

“This year, we plan to offer an even greater family fun day for the whole community, with local food trucks, an exciting water balloon toss with firefighters, portable swimming pools and giveaways,” said Stephanie English, community services liaison for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.”

Many activities were showcased as part of the “Passport to Water Safety.” Itinerary stops included the Safer 3 Water Safety Foundation, Academy Swim Club, American Heart Association/Superior Life Support, American Red Cross, Impressions in Thread: LACoFD Clothing, National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), Santa Clarita Life Guards (private event lifeguards), City of Santa Clarita Aquatics Center Lifeguards, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Castaic Life Guards, and Aqua Net, Inc. Emergency room physicians from Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles told firsthand stories of patients they treated to help encourage parents to take steps to avoid a drowning tragedy.  Radio Disney performers  entertained guests and distributed water safety movies, and Stewie the Duck presented morning and afternoon story time sessions to help kids learn to swim for safety.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department proudly acknowledged its many community partners for participating in this lifesaving event, including Walmart and many others. For more information about next years event, contact LACoFD Community Services Liaison Stephanie English at (661) 287-3690, or the Fire Department’s Public Information Team at (323) 881-2411.

Watch From A Safe Distance. That means the viewing area.  If your child is really crying, preferably the back of the viewing area.  You would think the sight of you would reassure him.  Unfortunately the only thing he wants from you is the reassurance you are going to come and get him, pronto!  Unless you are walking towards him with a towel, it’s best to play least in sight.  Many an instructor has spent long, long minutes singing nursery rhymes, making funny faces and noises, to finally be rewarded by a small moment of silence or even a smile.  Then, the child spots his parent and it’s back to square one.  Square one is not a happy place.  Please don’t make us go there.

Next week we finish up with Staying the Course.

Keep Calm and Carry On. Your attitude will set the tone for all the lessons to follow.  Try to stay cheerful and moderately excited, as if you and your child were having an outing in the park.  Your child is tuned into your feelings and looks to you for security.  If you are nervous, tense, worried, unsure, you can bet she will be, too.  If you treat the lesson as normal, safe and possibly fun, she’ll have an easier time believing it – it just may take a few lessons first.

Next week we’ll discuss Watching from a Safe Distance.

*** Interesting side note:  The slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On” was first thought up by some bright bulb British civil engineer around 1939 or thereabouts.  The British Ministry of Information released a couple of morale boosting propaganda posters during the early years of WWII, but was saving this one in the case of invasion by Germany.  Luckily, it was never distributed for it’s original purpose.

Our experienced ASC instructors have a few things we wish every parent bringing their child to swim lessons for the first time knew.  Over the next four weeks we’re going to lay it out for you.  Here’s the first thing you need to remember:

Stick It Out. Three lessons is the average amount of time it takes for the instructor to stop being a stranger and a bond to develop.  For many kids, the first swim lesson is his first experience with being entrusted to a teacher without Mom or Dad present.  A child may also protest for the first few lessons strictly on principle; an automatic, knee-jerk “NO” to anything new.  If you haven’t experienced this colorful bit of toddler behavior yet, wait – you can count on it making periodic appearances at the family dinner table.  (“It’s disgusting!  I hate it!”;  “What do you mean?  You’ve never had it before!” But I digress. . .) In any event, give it three lessons.  If you still don’t see any hope of your child ever enjoying himself, or at least quietly resigning himself to the inevitable, talk it over with your instructor and the office staff.  There are other options you can explore in your quest for a watersmart kid.

Come back next week when we Keep Calm and Carry On.

One might compare his super swimming strength and resilience to a Spiderman series – humbly finding his strength, being rejected and turning away from his calling, only to return against all odds to celebrate a victory for the people.

“I’m just a dude,” Ervin says.

In fact, he is a dude with Olympic swimming skills, a singer-songwriter and guitarist with his life story tattooed on his arms.

He represents Jewish, African-American and native American heritage. He has experienced alienation from schoolmates due to Tourette syndrome, which caused uncontrollable spasms. He has lived through rebellion and understands the family turmoil when his dad lost his job during the recession while his mom stayed at home in Santa Clarita to raise three kids.

From bitterness to “betterness,” Anthony Ervin achieved Olympic gold-medal greatness at age 18 and held a world record.

“Things got better, and you know why? It was because of my swim team friends,” Ervin said.

Ervin’s humble spirit and compassion for others compelled him to find some way to help victims of the 2004 Tsunami.  He did what only a superhero would do. He willingly auctioned his prize possession, his 2000 Olympic gold medal, and unselfishly donated the proceeds to the relief effort.

Ervin recalls early SCV swimming at the Newhall Boys and Girls Club, the swim team at Hart High and Canyon Aquatics Club. Ervin met his best friends at age 8 on the swim team. He calls them “three amigos” to this day.  But it is Hart High coach Steve Neale whom Ervin credits for encouraging him to continue swimming.

“High school had a new life because of Coach Steve Neale. If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have made it to college swimming at all.  I revere and respect that man because he made swimming fun and enjoyable for me,” Ervin said.

Ervin’s previous achievements include:

* Olympic gold medalist;

* Olympic silver medalist;

* 3-time world champion;

* Former world record holder in the Men’s 50-meter freestyle;

* Southern California record holder;

* All-time record holder in the Foothill League.

Ervin recalls the moment he stood on the Olympic platform to receive his gold medal.

“As I stood there with the weight of that gold medal that I dreamed of, I did not expect it to come in the way that it came,” he said. “It was definitely more magical than I could have dreamed of on my own. But when I heard our National Anthem and I knew I had won one for Team USA, I knew it was all the people, my friends, my coaches, my teachers, up through high school and into college – it was all those people. I knew that song was playing for them.”

Ervin took an eight-year hibernation from swimming, but the Cal Bear returned to his place on the platform during the 2012 Olympics.  He gained two gold medals and one bronze at the 2012 SC World Championships in Turkey.

As of today, apparently, Ervin has regained his superhero swimming strength. Now 32, he is making a comeback, seizing eight medals during the current FINA World Championship tour:

* November 10, 2013 – Tokyo: Silver, Men’s 50m Freestyle;

* November 8, 2013 – Tokyo: Bronze, Men’s 100m Freestyle;

* November 5, 2013 – Singapore: Silver, Men’s 100m Freestyle;

* November 5, 2013 – Singapore: Bronze, Men’s 50m Freestyle;

* October 2013 – Dubai/Doha:  Silver in the Men’s 100m Freestyle;

* Summer 2013 – Barcelona: Silver, Men’s 50m Freestyle;

* Summer 2013 – Barcelona: Bronze, Men’s 100m Freestyle;

* Summer 2013 – Barcelona: Silver, Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay.

Ervin also achieved a lifetime best time on Nov. 5 in the Silver 100m freestyle and claimed the fastest American time in the past decade.

Traveling all over the world, Ervin has made many friends but has not forgotten the SCV.  His superhero advice to kids:

“You can bounce yourself back farther than anyone could ever suspect or expect, even yourself. So go for it. Never give up. Make them dreams real.”

Follow Anthony Ervin on Facebook or Twitter and visit www.AnthonyErvin.com. But beware, you might be inspired to go for your dream … a second time.

Gloria Locke is a Santa Clarita resident and producer of “SCV-Arts & Entertainment,” which airs Fridays and Sundays on SCVTV.  Article originally published at SCVNews.com.  You can view it at http://scvnews.com/2013/11/12/from-bitterness-to-betterness-anthony-ervin-commentary-by-gloria-locke/

We gathered together for fun in the sun, all to say “Thanks!” to our fab patrons.

Ryan and his band The Early Risers came, and they rocked, yeah, they rocked you like a hurricane.

Captain Jack sauntered in with a pirate swagger, Made balloon swords and called for a lager.

Our instructors risked all for the sake of charity
As water balloon targets to help JACK D!***

The hot dogs were grillin’
The lemonade was flowin’
The bounce house was hoppin’
And the games were rollin’

So thanks to our staff who volunteered so generously,
And thanks to all of you, our wonderful ASC families!

*** We are collecting donations all week to benefit Jack D., a 4 year old former swimmer at Academy Swim Club who was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.  For more info visit www.JacksAngels.org.

At Academy Swim Club anything can be amazing!  But what is most remarkable is a child’s joy and power once they have conquered their fear of water.  It is truly amazing to see their attitude change from terror and panic to respect and admiration for water.  They begin to see water as a useful tool for playing, exercising, and surviving rather than a scary device that will only cause harm.

For the past 30 we have experienced this amazing transformation of fear to respect in over 40,000 children and babies.  We have watched them grow from one level to the next overcoming and mastering strokes, breathing techniques, safety techniques and basic water survival skills.   At the end of their training they leave Academy Swim with a love and joy abut swimming and a new intelligence about interacting with the water.  It is our mission that every child experiences this momentous conversion.

The Academy Swim club hosted a portion of the World’s Largest Swim Lesson and Guinness World Record event for the fourth time Tuesday.

“The whole event was put together for water safety because drowning is the leading cause of death for children 5 and under in the state of California, and children 14 and under worldwide.” said Nikki Miller, president of Academy Swim Club.

The record-breaking attempt is a multinational effort taking place in nine different countries.

Volunteer swimming instructors taught the children of all ages swimming techniques by playing fun games.

Some techniques included kids floating on their back, swimming to the bottom of the pool to retrieve a diving ring, kicking, swimming out to the instructor and practicing holding their breath underwater.

“It’s going on in nine different countries. Last year, we reached more than 24,000. This year, we are going for 35,000. I’m sure we’ll make it,” Miller said

The top-three ways to prevent a child from drowning are to install pool gates and fences, constantly supervise children and teach children to swim at a young age, she said.

“I’m really happy with the turnout and that all these kids and their parents are proponents and believers in helping the community and get the word out,” said Miller

After the children completed the swim lesson, they received an award and medal for participating in the event and helping to lower the drowning statistics.

“They had fun while they were doing it,” Miller said. “And they get to tell all their friends that they broke a world record this summer.”

Written by Jessica Boyer for SCVNews.com.  See the original article at http://scvnews.com/2013/06/18/kids-go-for-record-in-swimming-event/

From the L.A. Live Marriott in Los Angeles, Olympic medalists dove into the 10th anniversary of the Golden Goggle Awards.

“When I was with the (USA Swimming) Foundation 10 years ago, we started this whole thing and it really has changed the landscape of our sport because it honors all these kids that worked so hard,” said three-time Olympic medalist and NBC Sports commentator Rowdy Gaines, who also serves as the foundation’s ambassador.

“We never had this when I was a swimmer,” he said. “They look forward to every year getting dressed up and having people see them without swimsuits and goggles.”

Santa Clarita swimming sensation Anthony Ervin – clad in a dapper, raw umber suit and bow tie – signed autographs after clinching nine of the the 31 medals netted by the U.S. national swim team in the FINA World Cup Championships world tour.

“(The) best part of it was seeing my friends abroad, hands down,” said Ervin. “My people make my world.”

World-class Olympians in attendance included 92-year-old Lance Larson, who served as a presenter during the awards.

“I remember making the Olympic team in 1960, going to Rome and winning gold and silver medal,” he said. “It’s a wonderful thing, and it’s been with me all these years.”

The 2013 national team is composed of swimmers ranging in age from 15 to 32.

“I expected to do well, but it was great to see such a big accomplishment from my hard work,” said 17-year-old Simone Manuel.

Seasoned swimmer and current world record holder Missy Franklin agreed.

“It’s been an unbelievable year. One thing about swimming is you can keep setting your goals higher and higher,” she said before giving a shout-out to her hometown.

Of course, fashion was making a statement, and Cullen Jones would have to receive a Golden Goggle for fashion, if there were such a thing. Sporting Gucci gym shoes – I confess, I didn’t know Gucci had a sports line – Jones’ glow-in-the-dark neon yellow high tops were the talk of the night.

“I wish this was my own fashion line. I would love to work for Gucci,” Jones said.

Jones and Gaines are the faces of USA Swimming’s Make A Splash Initiative to bring awareness to the drowning epidemic. Nationally, it is the second-leading cause of accidental death among children – second only to auto fatalities.

“That alone ought to at least make people aware that something needs to be done, and the foundation is doing a lot about that,” said Gaines. The event’s silent auction raised $66,000 for the cause.

Taking home the coveted Female Athlete of the Year award, 16-year-old Katie Ledecky said all of the hard work does pay off.

“This year was incredible with the team. (It was) a blast racing,” she said. “I could not have asked for anything more.”

Other greats outside of swimming continue to raise the banner for swim lessons.

“I am in awe of these Olympians, as is every one else,” said actress Charlene Tilton of the long-running TV series, “Dallas.”

“Historically, the U.S. was a huge advocate of learning how to swim as far back as Benjamin Franklin,” said Ervin. “He felt swimming was so valuable as a skill and as a personal passion, he wanted to bring this to other people. I would like to continue that.”

Young and old, swimmers, non-swimmers … on this 10th anniversary, is it worth it?

“Enjoy the process,” Nathan Adrian said. “You’re going to look back on it and realize that at the end moment, it’s an amazing feeling. But the thing you will cherish the most after it’s all done is the hard work you put in. The blood, sweat and tears with your friends – because that’s what really makes it all worth it.”

Gloria Locke is a Santa Clarita resident and producer of “SCV-Arts & Entertainment,” which airs Fridays and Sundays on SCVTV.  Article orginally posted on SCVnews.com.  You can view it at http://scvnews.com/2013/12/06/blood-sweat-and-chlorine-commentary-by-gloria-locke/