Young swimmers have converged on Indianapolis for the US Swimming Championships and Janet Evans will be there too. But instead of making a splash in the pool, she will be promoting two new projects aimed at increasing participation and enjoyment of swimming. Twenty years after she first broke three swimming world records, Janet Evans uses the same pace to bring swimming to a new generation.

Evans has thrown her support behind USA Swimming’s new “Make a Splash” initiative to combat drowning statistics and promote swimming to people who otherwise might not learn to swim. She serves as a spokesperson for the program.

Additionally, her new book, “Janet Evans’ Total Swimming,” offers techniques and workout programs for a wide range of swimming talents. The book just hit bookstores nationwide.

“I wish every person in the country could experience the benefits of swimming,” says Evans. “Swimming positively affects so many aspects of life, and is beneficial across a broad range of ages and abilities, from the very young to the very old, the very slow to the very fast, those with injuries, pregnant women and fitness buffs.”

Evans details the benefits swimming provides, calling it the all-in-one fitness package, as swim strokes work most of the body’s muscles in a variety of ways. “Swimming strengthens and tones muscles, significantly enhances core strength and improves flexibility, endurance, lung capacity and provides incredible improvements to the cardiovascular system–all without breaking down the body,” she asserts.

As a new mom, Evans’ perspective on swimming has broadened to its benefits to both mother and child. “When I became pregnant, the thought of stopping never crossed my mind,” she says. “Swimming is one of the best ways for a pregnant woman to stay healthy–for herself and her child–during the months leading up to delivery. Swimming is low impact, doesn’t elevate the heart rate like running does, and in the later stages of pregnancy, the buoyancy of the water can be quite soothing.”

She applauds USA Swimming’s Make a Splash program for its effort to bring her sport to more children. “As a mom, I’m more aware of kids’ safety issues than ever,” she says, “so bringing swimming to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to learn not only reduces the risk of drowning, but also introduces healthier lifestyle choices, as well.”

Evans will be attending the championships Friday evening for the Make A Splash program. For more information on the book, visit http://www.HumanKinetics.com.

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Online retailer PerfectSwim announces its recent launch at http://www.PerfectSwim.com . The site is one of the largest retailers of swimming pool filters, cleaners and maintenance supplies. PerfectSwim.com offers a variety of products, helping owners keep their swimming pools clean and swimmer friendly.

“During hot summer days and swimming pool parties, the last thing a pool owner wants to worry about is if the equipment is working and if the pool is going to turn green on them,” said PerfectSwim owner and director Brian Umberger. “At PerfectSwim, we are proud of our extensive line of swimming pool equipment and swimming pool supplies.”

According to PerfectSwim, the key ingredient to keeping a pool clean and sanitary is using the proper equipment and chemicals. Using these supplies is not the only requirement, though. Ensuring the proper maintenance of equipment and chemicals is just as important.

In addition to filter equipment and chemicals, PerfectSwim.com sells pool slides and diving boards, water safety equipment, solar heating equipment, pool covers and more.

One product available at PerfectSwim.com is the Flexible Concrete Vacuum Head. This professional quality, extra-wide 14-inch vacuum head hugs the floor and curves of pool walls. Fully enclosed lead weights keep the vacuum head submerged for exceptional cleaning power. The product weighs approximately 5 pounds, and is available from PerfectSwim for $ 14.99.

The Hayward In-Line Leaf Canister can also be found at PerfectSwim.com. This in-line canister features an extra large basket that traps leaves and debris before it reaches the filter system. Using its superior design, the leaf canister ensures water will bypass debris and maintain proper water flow to the pump. The Hayward In-Line Leaf Canister retails for $ 34.99 at PerfectSwim.com.

Other Hayward products available from PerfectSwim.com include The Hayward SwimClear? large capacity cartridge filter series. Utilizing a cluster of four reusable cartridge elements, SwimClear filters offer a choice of 225, 325, 425 or 525 square feet of heavy-duty dirt-holding capacity for extra long cleaning cycles. The PerfectSwim.com price for this product is $ 489.99.

For more information about PerfectSwim’s new Web site or any of its products, please visit http://www.PerfectSwim.com.

About PerfectSwim

PerfectSwim is the leader in bringing customers “Everything Pools!” PerfectSwim is committed to offering its customers the best prices and largest selection of pool equipment, pool chemicals and pool supplies. The company’s huge selection of pool filters, pool pumps, pool maintenance and pool supplies are unmatched. The PerfectSwim team, made up of industry experts, searches high and low for the highest quality supplies and offers them to customers at the lowest prices.

PerfectSwim’s staff, with years of experience and personal relationships with vendors, works day and night to bring customers the best prices on pool filters, pool pumps, pool maintenance and pool supplies available by all major manufacturers at a guaranteed lowest price. PerfectSwim offers free standard shipping on all products over $ 75. For more information visit PerfectSwim at http://www.perfectswim.com.

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There are those of us that love garden ponds and love to keep fish, but don’t necessarily have the garden to accommodate a pond. Imagination always presents us with the perfect image of a large pond with a waterfall and plenty of large fish swimming happily in their home.

So what can we do if we only have a small backyard or garden, we just won’t have room for that big pond we always imagine. A pond doesn’t have to be big, small things are just as beautiful and all though you won’t be able to keep lots of fish in a little pond you can still comfortably fit around six fish in most little ponds.

There are some great designs these days for small ponds and some of them are self contained units that look great and come complete with pump and filter, some even have waterfalls built in, these ponds are free standing so there is no digging involved, they can even be installed indoors.

If a traditional pond is more your style then there are plenty of small preformed ponds in many interesting designs or as with a larger pond you can get a pond liner if you want to design your own shape and sometimes these are better for small gardens as the only area that you may be able to accommodate a pond might mean you have to make it an unusual shape and a liner can give you that freedom.

So whether you have a large or small garden there is always room for a pond and further more it will probably be the best feature you can add to any garden.

It must be time to check out all those different pond designs and get on with installing a pond in your garden, it makes for a great hobby for the whole family. So don’t let the size of your garden be an excuse not to get a pond.

Building of a High Tech Koi Pond
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The goal of all pond keepers is to stock their pond with healthy fish that are long lived and keep the water quality as high as possible. Fish pond filters do most of the work but they also need help, the fish pond filters, if rated correctly will turn over the total water volume of the fish pond at least once every hour and remove any suspended debris as well as hosting beneficial bacteria that convert the fish waste and rotting detritus into nitrates. This is the limit of the fish pond filters, they cannot keep the bottom of the pond clear of silt and leaving this in place can cause a build up of toxic gases that are trapped in the mud so help is at hand by using a pond vacuum on a regular basis, this will remove the silt, lifting it clear of the pond thus keeping your fish pond looking nice and clear.

Pond vacuums are relatively simple to use and the task of vacuuming the pond out can be performed by any member of the family, even the youngsters at the weekends.

Nowadays there are many models to choose from and these can all vary in price dependant on how much power that the pond vacuum is running at. There are basically three main types of pond vacuum:
In-pond Vacuums
Pond-side Vacuums
Hose powered Pond Vacuums

All three of these have their advantages and disadvantages, some are more suitable for smaller ponds, some for the larger ponds, browsing around the suppliers websites will give you all the information that you require to make the right choice.

In-pond vacuums are very easy to use, they are basically a pump that is mounted on the end of a pole, as the pump runs, the silt and debris is pulled through the pole and out of the pond.

Many of these will also house chopping blades that can break down larger pieces of debris so that the pumping action is never halted by the pipe getting blocked. The blades are safely housed inside a casing and are will not put the user at risk of losing their fingers. If you do need to clean out the blades, always unplug the vacuum so that there is no chance of the pump striking up while the blade housing is being cleaned. Some models will also include two heads, a large head for vacuuming the open areas and a smaller head for those awkward places that we all come across.

Pond-side vacuums, as the name suggests, consist of a canister which houses the pump and this sits at the side of the pond, the suction heads are connected to the collection canister by means of a length of hose and this makes the cleaning operation a bit easier than using an in-pond vacuum as the hosing is lighter to hold due to it only having the suction heads attached, you are not lifting the actual pump all of the time while you are using the pond vacuum. Most of the canisters will hold straining baskets which catch the larger particles of debris and these can easily be removed for cleaning.

Hose-powered vacuums are ideal for the smaller fish ponds or even small water features. They simply attach to any garden hose and are very easy to use. When the garden hose is switched on, it creates a venturi effect and the waste is pulled through and all of the dirt is trapped into a muslin bag, the resulting clean water is then dispersed back into the pond. These simple hose kits are very cheap to purchase but they are only suited to very small ponds and cannot be used in larger and deeper ponds.

Construction Do’s & Don’ts for Ponds Covered in Great Detail. Ponds Gone Wrong is an epidemic plauging America. Don’t let a pond contractor take advantage of you and experiment in your back yard. Learn “How To Build a Pond” from commonly made mistakes by pond contractors fixed by the award winning pond construction crew. The Pond Digger Waterscape Design & Construction Team in Redlands, California.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Article by J.Pond

Algae are the constant menace of pond owners. The fight to control koi pond algae requires patience and diligence. It also requires careful planning during the initial construction phase of the koi pond. There are also some measures you can take in order to control koi pond algae in an established koi pond. Initially consult pond experts about controlling algae. They can give you advice regarding the best ways to control pond algae. There are also books and online articles which deal on pond maintenance in general. It would be ideal if you had already invested on top quality filtration system and chemical medium to maintain your pond.

1. Factor in the algae problem when planning your koi pond. As much as possible, avoid constructing your koi pond under direct sun exposure. Like any plants, algae need lights to grow. Exposing your pond to direct sunlight makes it susceptible to algae. Observe how the shadows fall on your garden and consider how you can use it to your advantage.

2. You can limit the growth of koi pond algae by putting some shady plants around the pond. However, avoid placing the koi pond under a large tree. The falling leaves and sap can affect the pond’s water quality. Instead, ask your local landscaping expert about plants which are compatible to the koi pond. Plants can block the light that feeds algae. Plants also use nutrients in the water and release oxygen.

3. Incorporate floating plants such as lotus, water hyacinth, water lettuce and submersed plants such as water lilies, hornwort, cabomba and anacharis into the pond. Lily pads and lotus pads can lessen the amount of sunlight which will penetrate the water. The plants will control the amount of nutrients which the algae need to grow.

4. Algae are natural part of koi’s diet. If you minimize your koi’s feed, they will naturally turn to the algae growing around the pond. You can also include other animals which eat algae such as the Japanese Trap Door snail. However, make sure that they are compatible to your pond’s ecosystem.

5. Keeping control over the fish food can also minimize algae growth. Most fish food contains nutrients which feed algae. Feed the koi with an amount of food which they can consume in a few minutes.

6. Make sure that the water spout is not directed towards the pond. Rain water may contain pollutants and other water irritants.

7. There are also chemicals and filtration system which could lessen koi pond algae growth. You can use chemicals once you have exhausted the natural methods. Some chemicals kill algae outright. Other chemicals can darken the water in order to lessen the light that passes thru the water.

8. Invest on a top quality filtration system. The filter should move at least half of the water every hour. You can also integrate a UV filter in your pond’s filtration system. The UV sterilizer will kill algae which pass thru the system before the water returns to the pond.

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Article by Nicole Roberts

As with any sport, buying the correct fishing equipment is essential and ice fishing is no different, fishing supplies can be found very easily and you need to decide what you will need. Ice fishing equipment needs to be bought with some care to ensure that you buy the correct equipment for the sport. There are essential pieces of equipment that you will need to ensure that you are fishing safely and effectively.

Ice fishing will, of course, require you to be on a frozen lake that will be extremely cold so you will need the appropriate clothing to keep you warm and dry. You have to ensure that all of your body is protected from the cold and snow that may be present. You will also need the correct footwear to ensure that you are stable on your feet and ice boots are the best things to wear. Ice fishing equipment needs to include the right clothing as well as the correct tackle.

When you are trying to find the correct equipment, you should research the different conditions you will be fishing in. Ice fishing equipment is different to other fishing supplies and you will have to understand this. You will need a specialist ice fishing rod and reel as well as the right type of bait for the fish. You will also need something to break through the ice and make your hole to fish through an auger is the ideal thing for this an enables you to make a hole with the least amount of effort. You can also use an ice saw although this will take longer to achieve your hole.

Although ice fishing can be a great sport to enjoy, you have to be aware that it can be dangerous as well so your ice fishing equipment should always include a first aid kit. This will ensure that you can cope with any minor injuries that may occur. You should also carry a mobile phone with you and some food and liquid in case you are stuck on the ice for a while. You should always let people know in what area you are aiming to ice fish so if there are any problems they know where you are.

You can buy this type of fishing supplies in shops and fishing tackle shops; you need to ensure that you tell the person selling it to you that it is for ice fishing. This will then guarantee that you are sold the right type of ice fishing equipment. If you are in any doubt then make sure that you ask for help that is what the people in the shop is for. Once you have the correct equipment then you can go out and enjoy this alternative type of fishing.

You will love this way of fishing and will find that you are often out on the frozen lakes as soon as the winter weather arrives. As you gain more experience you may find that you buy more and more items of Ice Fishing Equipment including tents, shelters, better rods, lures and other items. You can keep adding to your equipment, which will make your whole fishing trip even more exciting.

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Specialist fishing equipment is fishing tackle and accessories designed to be used by those that partake in the hunt for specimen fish. Although it is now a commonly used term in angling, ‘specialist’ angling only really broke out into the mainstream about 15 years ago.

Of course there have always been specialist anglers but it was really the Carp fishing scene that was responsible for its introduction to the media. Once the media got hold of it, there was no shortage of traditional fishing equipment manufacturers and new start up companies just waiting to jump on the band wagon. The manufactures know that where the term ‘specialist’ is involved they can make some money, and so the niche of specialist angling product was created.

There is a fantastic range of fishing tackle now available to suit carp anglers, cat fish anglers and in fact any other species specific based angler.

Aside from the actual basic tackle (rod, reel and line) there is a multitude of specialist equipment available. There is a common theme that has been adopted by the manufacturers of this equipment – generally speaking it’s all produced in olive drab or black material. Some are even produced in military like camouflage.

There are Bivvies for example, these are in essence very similar to tents but usually designed for one man and there fishing equipment. They are produced in drab colours to blend in with there surroundings to not disturb any wary fish.

There are also bed chairs and normal fishing chairs that do not convert in to a bed. These chairs and bed chairs are the Rolls Royce’s of your normal camping chairs, featuring adjustable legs, adjustable foot and back rests and have heavily padded sprung seating.

You can get sleeping bags designed specifically to for fishing use, with the base of it reinforced with nylon so you can sit on it with your boots on.

You can get rod holdalls that allow you to store your fishing rods with the reel in place. All you need to do when you get to your swim is piece the rod together and you’re ready to go.

There are barrows that allow you to transport all of your specialist kit to your swim easily, without having to make multiple journeys. Once it has served its purpose it then folds up for ease of transportation.

Above are just a few examples of the sorts of specialist fishing equipment available. There is a bewildering amount and you can almost spend more time deciding what to buy than actually fishing!

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Article by Colin Garza

So what equipment do you need nowadays to go fishing?

Well, the basics are of course a rod, a fishing line, weights, hook and bait; however, it doesn’t always stop there.

Equipment needed for fishing would also depend on which type of fishing you want to do. Types of fishing include, deep sea fishing, lake fishing, pond fishing, canal fishing or perhaps carp fishing.

Some types of fishing also require a licence, so it is important to find out if your chosen type of fishing involves you applying for a fishing licence. The ideal way to find out exactly what you would need for your chosen type of fishing would be to walk into a tackle shop and discuss equipment with the person behind the counter.

If you walk into a fishing shop, presented before you would be a mass of equipment and accessories from rods and reels to chairs and tents. You could even buy an electronic bite alert, therefore, talking to someone experienced would be a great help when considering what equipment you need.

Fishing equipment can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. Fishing in lakes and ponds may only require the bear minimum. Why take the fun out of fishing by adding all the expense? We already know it is possible to enjoy a great day out fishing without having to spend a fortune on equipment.

For the more serious fisherman, using a wooden pole and stones as weights simply would not do, especially if they are on a fishing weekend.

Fishing at night is said to be more successful than daytime fishing if you want to bait a particular fish. Most fish are more active at night looking for their feed, therefore, many fisherman will leave their homes at 11 – 12 pm at night to set up for a nights fishing.

On top of your essential fishing equipment, you would also need to consider waterproof clothing, a large umbrella, seating and perhaps even a tent.

Once you do have your equipment, and you have spent the day on the lakes catching your bait, remember to rinse off your reels and rods in fresh water, this is especially so if you have been fishing in salt water.

Most equipment is fine in a cool dry environment, but do not be tempted to lean your rod up against a wall, this could cause your rod to warp, instead, store them vertically or horizontally.

Whatever equipment you decide to purchase for the type of fishing you choose, we all know that fishing is fun.

A recent study showed that most fisherman fish for any type of fish and happy with whatever they catch, just as long as they catch something. In this case, equipment needed for fishing would perhaps prove to be less expensive and a lot more fun.

This is the type of fishing the kids are interested in, however, you still have to watch those pockets, as kids come up with all kinds of equipment they ‘need’ and just cannot do without. Sound familiar?

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Article by Swim Platform Guy

Swim Platform installation on new boats is increasing but there are thousands of older ski boats out there with undersized, Teak swim platforms that have several common swim platform problems.The platforms sit either too close to the water or actually sit in the water when the boat is parked. I’ve seen these swim platform problems on older MasterCrafts, Malibus, Supras and Moombas.My answer for these Teak challenges? A custom fabricated fiberglass extended swim platform. I own Contemporary Fiberglass in Spokane, Washington. I’ve been making custom extended swim platforms for 10 years.The fiberglass reinforced plywood swim platform solves several problems for the customer. First, it gives him 11 inches that he did not have previously.Most of the Teak swim platforms on older ski boats are only 19 inches wide. I make a new extended swim platform 30 inches deep and the full width of the boat. If you think about it the increased size just makes sense for better safety and more comfort.Unlike Teak, a fiberglass swim platform is a nearly maintenance-free product, whereas before you had to treat the Teak several times every season or end up with a greyish, ugly swim platform that was guaranteed to give you slivers.I glassed in four by fours under the swim platform where the brackets mount so the swim platform is raised up where it should rightfully sit.Fiberglass swim platforms have other advantages. A custom fiberglas swim platform normally enhances the beauty of your boat, because of the perfect fit. When done right, an add-on swim platform will look as though it came from the factory. The safety factor of a modern swim platform is the primary reason that most boat owners initially consider a swim platform. Once they get a new fiberglass swim platform and have a chance to use it, they discover many other “functional” extras and bonuses. The swim platform is an excellent place to -

strap your cooler and other cargo – it frees up a significant amount of room inside the boat!set your lounge chairs there and enjoy a book or cocktail! When you get too hot, just roll off your chair into the water, then easily climb back into your chair!strap your tube or other toys back there.clean your fish on the platform and keep the mess out of the boat!Some construction details to be aware of for your next swim platform. Make sure they are constructed of fiberglass reinforced plywood, and 100% sealed with a gel coat finish. The base price should include the finish color to match your boat, plus a second color to match a feature stripe!Weight to strength ratio is another factor to consider – of course the lighter the better. For safety, does the top surface have a non-skid material rolled into the gel coat. Make sure you can also choose the foam mat type of non-skid surface.A heavy rubber molding should trim the top edge, both to make the swim platform appear as if it came with the boat, and to protect the boat from any light “bumps”. One final check, does the underside of the platform have an easy-to-keep-clean gel-coated surface?

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Article by fly fishing knots

When it comes to fly fishing in Idaho, holidays spent in a range of southern above river snake certainly the list. The river begins in Yellowstone National Park and flows directly into the reservoir fences through the park Grand Teton national. The range is the southern part of the Snake River that runs between the dam fences and Henry ‘; range s. It’s the perfect combination of big fish, big landscape, and housing nearby Jackson Hole. The best time for fly fishing range south of fly fishing in the area begins the last week of June the first week of July as a result of the emergence of salmon flies, yellow Sallies, and stones Gold. The late autumn is the preferred time to fish for many of the local fisherman since water levels are considerably lower than in the spring. This gives the anglers a chance to wade into new sectors of Yellowstone National Park to Henry ‘; range s. The fish are ready to put up a good fight on this part of the season. In winter, there is some fishing shore, but actually wade into the river cold isn ‘t recommended. Please check local regulations fishing to learn what parts of the river are closed. All is not lost the day the fish just aren ‘; bite t. The provision of a rod and a reel rotation with a good attraction almost guarantee a successful fishing trip. The quiet days are also the perfect opportunity to get from your home of Jackson Hole and enjoy a part of the wildlife traveling through the area. The moose, elk and eagles are just some animals that cast a glance outside the forest. Bouts speed for the fly fishing range southern Since many of the brown trout in the river weighing more than ten pounds, paste to a stem of four to five weight in the beginning of the period fishing fly south fork. The gear, on the one hand, should depend on what you see along the shore. Early in the season, salmon use drive models such as stone bird and Mary hairy on a hook size 4-8. Nymphs such as bugs belt, Stonefly nymphs, and black Rubberlegs can also provide you with an afternoon of aggressive fish. The models fly such as Sallies range south and pacemakers yellow imitate the yellow Sallies currently appearing as well. The rear part of July and early – August bring the mayflys and creditors pale morning beginning to emerge. Use the size 14 in July and move slowly on a hook 18 to the end of September. Try models such as the parachute rose Cahill, creditor Biot, and Wooly lambine. It is also a great time to break the caddis as models of hair and Hemingway elk. When it comes to fishing towards the end of the fall (from August to October) think distributors, olives Blue-winged, and the Royal Wulff in sizes ranging from 18-20. The fishing fly range south east part of the best in North America. The river is close to the housing of Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park, and the abundance of large cut-throat, brown, and rainbow trout. For adventures throughout the year fishing is certainly the place to go.

Please Feel Free To Vist Our Site http://learnmoreon.com/flyfishing To Know More About fly fishing

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