Olympic swimmers hope to inspire young athletes

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Nine-year-old Summer Cardwell stood on the pool deck in awe.

With a silver medal draped around her neck, Summer savored a glimpse of Olympic glory.

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runner has aspirations of swimming in the Olympics one day, and, during a Fitter & Faster Swim Tour clinic four months ago in Winter Haven, Summer swam alongside a pair of former Olympians.

“It was really fun,” Summer says. “The Olympians gave us advice on what to do before a swim meet and told us to always do our best.”

Following the Fitter & Faster Swim Tour, Summer’s mother, Adrienne, approached the tour’s organizers about holding a clinic in Lakewood Ranch.

Two months later, organizers contacted Adrienne Cardwell, and the Lakewood Ranch YMCA began taking steps toward holding a clinic.

On Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, the Wave Runners will host the Fitter & Faster Swim Tour, featuring Olympians David Tarwater and Claire Donahue.

The Fitter & Faster Swim Tour will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 for ages 12 and up and 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 26 for ages 11 and under, at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, 5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Recognized as one of the most versatile swimmers in the world, Tarwater, who began competing at the highest level in the United States when he was 16 years old, was part of the United States’ gold-medal winning 800 freestyle relay at the 2012 London Olympics.

Donahue, who specializes in the 100 butterfly, reached the finals at both the 2012 London Olympics and the 2013 World Championships.

During the three-hour clinic, participants will work on stroke work and gain a better understanding of how to approach each stroke. Swimmers also will learn proper stretching and strength-training techniques and practice alongside Tarwater and Donahue.

“Hopefully, by exposing them to Olympians, it’ll motivate them to see what’s out there for them and what it takes to get to the Olympics,” Matt Cardwell says. “They’ll be able to see something tangible.”

For more information on the Fitter & Faster Swim Tour, visit fitterandfaster.com.

IF YOU GO
Fitter & Faster Swim Tour
Date: 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 (ages 12 and up) and Jan. 26 (ages 11 and under)

Location: Lakewood Ranch YMCA, 5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Cost: $105 ($79 online)

Information: fitterandfaster.com.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].