Olympian Dara Torres Invites Families to Dive into the #FunnestSport for Kids

Want to Try the #FunnestSport? SwimToday and Five-Time Olympian Dara Torres Invite New Swimmers and Families to Jump In

My Grammar Guard is down and my Fun-O-Meter is way up. Yes, you read that correctly, I said funnest. There's fun, funner, and of course, funnest! Now, let's dive into the details about how you can make a big splash with a little swim time.

Thank you to SwimToday for sponsoring this article with an invitation to attend a Momtrends media event with Dara Torres for the purpose of facilitating this advertorial.

Did you know that current research reveals that swimming, which will be referred to here as the funnest sport, ranks higher than other sports in fun, teamwork, ease of learning, parent enjoyment, and social skills?

If you had to ask, fun is the main reason that approximately 99% of swim team parents stated why their kids swim. The SwimToday Ambassador Dara Torres, a five-time Olympic swimmer and industry partners are joining together to show non-swimmers and their families why swimming is the #FunnestSport and are extending an invitation to join in on the fun.

With the support of SwimToday, swim teams across the nation are inviting new swimmers and their families to experience swimming with free swim team trial periods, customized swim caps and promotional materials from kits sent to 1,500 swim teams. Parents can find out more about participating swim teams and locate their nearest team by zip code search at www.SwimToday.org.

 With the support of SwimToday, swim teams across the nation are inviting new swimmers and their families to experience swimming with free swim team trial periods, customized swim caps and promotional materials from kits sent to 1,500 swim teams. Parents can find out more about participating swim teams and locate their nearest team by zip code search at www.SwimToday.org.

I am not an authority on swimming, however, take the advice of a five-time US Olympian, Dara Torres, “Being a part of a swim team is one of the most fun and most rewarding experiences a child can have. I’ve benefitted from the sport’s values in every aspect of my life and that’s why my nine-year old daughter is a swimmer. It’s also why I’m so passionate to share with other parents and invite them to understand what the sport has to offer. Once they know, more parents will have swimming at the top of their lists.”

It was a special honor to be invited to launch the #FunnestSport campaign for non-swimming parents nationwide. Dara Torres hosted a session with a panel of New York City influencers (89 percent of moms vs. 63 percent of dads are highly involved in sports decision making) at the Asphalt Green Swim Center. While sharing her personal experiences as a swimmer, and now as a swim mom, the SwimToday Ambassador offers the sport’s top 10 benefits:

1- It’s closer than you think– 62 percent of families live within 10 minutes of a pool; 52 percent of households with combined income of $50,000 or less report they have access to a pool nearby.

2- Everyone participates– Swimming is inclusive, there are no benchwarmers (nor benches).

3- Swimming is a team sport– Only 16 percent of non-swimming parents view swimming as a team sport but parents of swimmers associate the sport with teamwork more than any other sport.

4- Suit up and go– Only a swimsuit, cap and goggles are necessary to get started.

5- Life skills– Swimming increases self-confidence, self-esteem, time management, goal-setting and social development.6- Easy to learn– 76 percent of parents said the ease of learning to swim was high.

7- Low risk of injury– No contact makes for a safer environment.

8- Swimming = total body fitness– Burn 650 calories in an hour – more than walking, biking or team sports.

9- Sport for life– Once you learn to swim, you can enjoy no matter your age.

10- Swimming is FUN– Parents confirm that swimming is the #FunnestSport.

Don't delay Join in on the fun today! Visit the SwimToday on  Facebook and Twitter.