COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.,
June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Creating a unique and fun introduction to launch newcomers to
swimming, USA Swimming has
developed SwimJitsu – a new grow-the-sport program that combines
swimming, inflatable obstacles and cannonballs.
SwimJitsu is an in-water obstacle course that includes a series
of entry-level swimming skills stages and 10 entertaining tasks.
Participants become "swimjas" (a combination of swimming and ninja)
by using traits such as wisdom, speed and agility.
Watch SwimJitsu in action.
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy
Franklin (Centennial,
Colorado) has joined as a SwimJitsu Grandmaster to invite
new swimmers to try SwimJitsu and, ultimately, join a swim
team.
"Not every kid is going to get started swimming in the
traditional way like I did. What I love about SwimJitsu is that it
encourages kids to get in the pool and have fun in the water," said
Franklin. "My coaches have always been creative about making the
sport fun and this takes it to a whole new level."
"We found a winning formula with SwimJitsu, a mash-up of
skill-based competitions such as football's Punt, Pass and Kick and
skiing's NASTAR mixed with entertaining shows like Wipeout and
American Ninja Warrior," said
USA Swimming Marketing Director
Jim Fox. "This is a new and
compelling way to complement the traditional entry paths into the
sport and introduce kids to swimming skills, comparing swim times
and achieving goals."
Along with the SwimToday campaign, SwimJitsu is helping to
reposition swimming as the #FunnestSport. This innovative primer to
the sport gives a sampling of the fun and rewarding aspects of
continuing in the sport. USA
Swimming clubs will be on-site at the venues to provide tips,
identify kids with an interest in swimming and invite them into a
team to improve their skills.
"We are providing 'edu-tainment' to get the attention of kids
and parents who wouldn't otherwise consider swimming on a team,"
said USA Swimming Chief Marketing
Officer Matt Farrell. "What
makes SwimJitsu such a winner is that it's pure fun for those who
participate, a creative way to grow swimming participation and a
sustainable and scalable program to run. We believe this year is
the start of a long-running success story."
SwimJitsu will make an eight-city nationwide tour this summer,
over a nine-week stretch. The sites and dates include:
- Denver, CO – Saturday, June 13
- Phoenix, AZ – Saturday, June 20
- Orange County, CA –
Saturday, June 27
- Indianapolis, IN –
Saturday, July 11
- Chicago, IL – Saturday, July 18
- Minneapolis, MN – Saturday, July 25
- Boston, MA – Saturday, August 1
- Atlanta, GA – Saturday, August 8
SwimJitsu is a partnership between USA Swimming and the North American Sports
Group (NASG), one of the leaders in youth sports events. Other
notable international properties under the NASG umbrella include
Hoop it Up, Kick It 3v3 Soccer, Let it Fly flag football tour and
the new Ultimate Field Day.
At each daily event, there will be multiple, two-hour sessions
for participants to attempt unlimited runs on the course. Each
timed shift requires a registration. Awards will be given at the
end of each wave for the best times per age group. There will also
be four ninja-themed swimming games for competitors to practice
their newfound abilities. Advance registration is $20 per two-hour block per person, and
$25 at the event site.
To find more information on SwimJitsu, register to participate
or inquire about hosting a future event, visit www.SwimJitsu.com.
To join the fun online, visit the SwimJitsu Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram pages.
About USA Swimming
As
the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in
the United States, USA Swimming is a 400,000-member service
organization that promotes the culture of swimming by creating
opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to
participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and
education. Our membership is comprised of swimmers from the age
group level to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches and volunteers.
USA Swimming is responsible for
selecting and training teams for international competition
including the Olympic Games, and strives to serve the sport through
its core objectives: Build the base, Promote the sport, Achieve
competitive success. For more information, visit
www.usaswimming.org.
About North American Sports Group
North American
Sports Group (NASG) is the United
States premier sports event agency providing fun, clean,
safe and organized events. NASG, with offices in Denver, CO and Saratoga Springs, NY, has been America's
leader in national grassroots youth sports tours for more than 25
years producing more than 100 annual grassroots events providing
athletes, coaches, families and corporate partners with an
unparalleled sports experience. NASG properties include: Kick It
3v3 Soccer, Hoop It Up 3x3 Basketball, Let It Fly Flag Football,
Sticks Up Lacrosse and Ultimate Field Day. NASG is proud to be
partnered with USA Swimming to
introduce SwimJitsu to the United
States in 2015.
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SOURCE USA Swimming