The big news in swimming this week was sparked by the dwindling numbers of professional swimming coaches. On the back of a string of high profile retirements, the number of elite coaches in Brisbane has dropped from 13 to nine. Scott Volkers, the coach responsible for the swimming legends like Susie O’Neill and current head coach at the Queensland Academy of sport believes it all boils down to the leasing of public pools to large leisure companies. The poor funding and lack of resources available to coaches is resulting in fewer new faces emerging and aging coaches are either retiring or being snapped up by international programs. Previously, councils would lease pools to coaches who would earn revenue from swimming lessons, gate takings and the kiosk while devoting large amounts of time to the less-profitable art of coaching. Now companies like leisure operator Belgravia, which runs 11 aquatic centres in Queensland’s south east, are taking up the rights to pools. Volkers says high-performance coaching, which reaps rewards on an international scale but does little for the bottom line of pool operators, is often the first activity tobe pared back. As a result, professional swimming could become a sport of yester year, because without the high quality coaches, there will be no swimmers.

Actor Steve McFadden has credited swimming as his secret weapon in his war against weight. Steve, 50, will don a wetsuit to take part in the British Gas Great North Swim on Sunday, September 13. The challenge will see him making waves in Lake Windermere, Britain’s largest natural lake, with depths of up to 220ft. He is doing all this to raise money charity.

Erin McNaught takes the catwalk during the Miss Universe 2006 Preliminary Competition in Los Angeles

On a more social note, Erin McNaught isn’t letting her recent break-up with Braith Anasta cramp her style. Last weekend she was spotted with yet another sportsman – Eamon Sullivan. Confidential spies said the good looking pair were dominating the dance floor at Kings Cross nightclub Kit and Kaboodle on Friday night.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SHLEIBS Photographer HECTOR MATA

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

In swimming news this week, high profile disgraced swimmer Nick D’Arcy was named in Australia’s world cup swimming team. D’Arcy was named along with Matthew Abood, Ashley Delaney, Geoff Huegill, Robert Hurley, Lachlan Staples, Felicity Galvez, Marieke Guehrer, Leisel Jones, and Libby Trickett and are to compete in the European leg of the cup that will take place in Stockholm on November 10th and 11th and Berlin on the 14th and 15th of the same month. They will be joined by team mates Daniel Arnamnart, Leith Brodie, Adam Pine, Christian Sprenger, Blair Evans, Ellen Fullerton, Samantha Hamill, Jessicah Schipper, Emily Seebohm, Amy Smith for the second leg in Singapore on the 21st and 22nd Of November. The Australian team will be hoping to bounce back after disappointing performances recently in Rome.

A burqini designed by Aheda Zannetti

It’s safe to say that in the past whenever swimwear has made the news or has caused outrage, it usually is about how much of the suit is missing, however in this case that cannot be further from the facts. A woman in France was reportedly turned denied entry to a Paris swimming pool for wearing a “burqini”. The “burqini” is a full body swim suit that is specifically designed for use by Muslim women, so that swimming and even water sports are no longer an unimaginable activity, due to the suits design and ability to hide a women’s figure. The “burqini” wearing patron was reportedly denied entry due to her swim wear breaching hygiene regulations, but it should be noted that regular swim wear can be and often is worn underneath the “burqini”, thus eliminating the potential hygiene breach. The “burqini’s”, design child of Aheda Zannetti, introduction has more benefits than just allowing Muslim women to swim and is being viewed as a symbol for encouraging Muslim women to be more active socially and even in the work environment.”They are choices, just women’s choices, that’s all it is.” Zanetti was quoted as saying in a statement to the Australian. And on the reasons on why she believed the patron to be refused entry, “It could be a political reason. It could be a racist reason. It could be discrimination reason. It could be millions of reasons,” she was reported in saying to the Australian. The “burqini” was introduced and has been widely in Australia in 2003 and in other European countries such as The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

BLK1 Article: Alex Schleibs

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Swimco Swimwear: spot the before and after

A recent study of over 200 women aged between 15 and 70 by swimsuit designer/manufacturers Swimco revealed what we all already knew, but just couldn’t quite put our fingers; the secret to looking great in a bathing suit isn’t a perfectly toned body that is cut like a diamond, it is much simpler and far more easily attainable, it is: confidence. And the easiest way to feel comfortable is to shop for your figure until you find something that complements your best physical asset while still giving problem areas attention. “It is definitely possible to find a swimsuit that is flattering, no matter what your shape or size,” states Lori Bacon, President of Swimco.” “Be prepared to take a little time, however, to get it right.” Not surprisingly the surveyed revealed that around a third of women would like to see swimsuits that help control and hide tummies which was closely followed by women seeking more bust support, bust enhancement and hip minimization whilst still allowing for that defining hour glass shape. As a response to the problem areas highlighted in this survey, Swimco have released a fashionable and exciting range to help combat swimsuit troubles. The Hip Helper which features brightly coloured eye drawing tankini’s with a feminine skirted bottom, the Tummy Toner with built in tummy panels, the Waist shaper in both high waisted and bikini cut bottoms for added torso length, the Bust Booster, an “up a cup” one piece with a supportive underband, and the C Cup and up which boasts built in moulded cups and flexible underwire to help give that much needed extra support.

The idea of being comfortable in your swimmers has carried over into the professional

world of swimming. In a controversial and somewhat rash decision, FINA is allowing swimsuits that obviously aid a swimmers performance to be worn in all races until the end of this year, when it will then change this rule and begin enforcing stricter guidelines. This has left many swimmers without swim suit manufacturer alliances in a less than ideal position. Unfortunately Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice is in one of these positions having recently being dropped from her Speedo contract. Ironically this has worked to Rice’s advantage, with no sponsorship commitments she has been free to trial different makers of speed suits including Jaked, Arena and the Adidas hydrofoil. Rice is however tipped to stay loyal to the LZR (Speedo), with her coach Michael Bohl claiming that comfort would win over minimal improvements in times.

In other swimming news, 8 time Olympic medal winner Michael Phelps has not let his high profile go to his head.”It doesn’t matter to me if I’m the favourite or I’m not, I have to make the team before I decide anything. Bob (coach Bob Bowman) and I just wanted to get here and see where we stand,” Phelps told reporters on Monday. The team he is hoping to make is the U.S championship team, which will compete in the world championships on the 26th of July in Rome. Phelps will compete in the 100 and 200 meters freestyle and 100 and 200m
butterfly.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SCHLEIBS

 Article: © BLK1 2009. All Rights Reserved.