Author: rokur

This video shows a boxing match that allegedly took place in 1939 at Wembley Empire Pool in London. Unbelievable! Doobybrain via Neatorama.

Irish Boyzone pop star Ronan Keating took to the sea off the east coast of Britain today in preparation of the 10-member charity swim from Ireland to Wales next month, but then revealed on Twitter that he is facing “disaster” after pulling a muscle in his leg. Now, this is the moment when his coach should step in and point out how distance swimming is mostly armstroke, look him straight into the eyes and ask if he is planning to kick his way to Wales (!). Follow him and Branson and the rest on the-swim.co.uk, and help them raise £1.000.000…

While visiting the oceanarium Nordsømuseet in Hirtshals today, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark took time off to don a dive suit and feed the fishes, being the experienced ‘frømand’ (Danish Navy Seal) that he is. Biggest attractions there are three sunfishes, whereof the biggest called Anton is well above 100 kg in weight. The sunfishes feared him (the prince). Via jp.dk. Tasmanian-born Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark of course got a kiss through the window while he was in the tank, because that is what real princes do :-)

Caitlin Morris from Stourport, England started learning to swim when she was 9 months old – 6 months before she could walk. Now she manages 9 meters in 47 seconds using a doggy-paddle style stroke, an ability that her instructor at Baba Seahorse rates as that of a 4-year-old. Here below she swims alongside big brother Callum. Read Express & Star.

Lisa Stephens writes very touching here on The Swim Brief about how outdoor swimming in the summer transforms her autistic daughter from being reclusive to ‘blossoming into a butterfly’. Someone knowing agrees immediately in the comments, as does this video from a story earlier this year. “There’s magic in the water.” During the summer, in the sunshine, in the reflection of a clear blue pool, Kate comes alive. She lives at the pool, she cannot get enough. It’s incredible to see the transformation. It very much is like a caterpillar emerging from it’s cocoon and blossoming into a butterfly. In…

Nice video with Jason Lezak giving a young kid some swimming tips, including a short “how-to-beat-the-French” lesson in drafting. Good one Lezak, you earned another ribbon in my book :-)

Meet Bryall McPherson, cancer survivor now vying for a place on NZ’s Paralympic Swimming Squad for 2012. Inspirational! The Winning Spirit from Kadambari Gladding on Vimeo.

A new movie about a killer whale (orca) that took (friendly) interest in people (and apparently has a great sense of humor, see the intro). A beautiful film shot by whale friends in Nootka Sound, Canada, that world premiered here in the Faroe Islands. Movie City News via seattlepi, see also www.thewhalemovie.com.

A beautiful short film here by Faroese film maker Heiðrikur á Heygum, about his grandmother Maria á Heygum. Nicknamed “the swimming granny”, she had been swimming in the ocean out of Vestmanna for 48 years, when this movie was produced. Imagine, every day in 7°C warm water (44.6°F), no matter the weather, no matter the waves. Enjoying it :-) Waves – A Portrait of Maria á Heygum from Heidrik á Heygum on Vimeo. Here is a segment from Faroese TV about the short film, with clips out of it and interview with the film maker.

According to various news outlets in Venezuela, FINA has decided to lift the one-year antidoping suspension that Albert Subirats got earlier this summer, due to missing tests because of his federation not forwarding his whereabouts. Read more here on SwimmingWorld Magazine.