For all AutoCAD users, this routine creates a WMF file from model space in AutoCAD quickly and efficiently.  WMF files are generally better files to be used in word documents or presentations, and can be inserted into AutoCAD as vector entities.  This routine automatically switches between a black background and white background, changes all layers to the color black, prompts you to input a file name, and then saves the file to the location of your choice.  Once the LISP is completed, it reverts everything back to its original state before the routine was executed.  It is also equipped with a quick way to cancel out of this routine at any time during the WMF creation process by simply pressing the ‘ESC’ key.

For those who are interested in trying this LISP yourself, it has been published in a February 2013 issue of Cadalyst CAD Tips that can be found at http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/export/create-wmf-files-quickly.  Enjoy!

There are currently three primary organizational or ownership models for USA Swimming Clubs.  The first is the club that is in partnership with a certain facility or institution.  A second, sometimes-similar structure is a program that is run by a booster organization – essentially by the parents of the participating athletes.  The third, which is rapidly becoming more common, is that of the coach owned club.

Facility/Institution

In some cases, NCAA Institutions also offer a USA Swimming club in addition to their interscholastic program.  But in this instance, the term is meant to describe teams that are working with a larger “sponsor” in order to exist.  YMCA’s, JCC’s, School Districts, and perhaps most commonly, Parks and Recreation Departments often sponsor USA Swimming teams.  In some cases, the municipality, YMCA, or Department, collects all dues, hires and fires the coaching staff, and truly operates the program.  Booster programs may exist, but truly as boosters, rather than owners.  It is not uncommon for boosters to collect all fees, and to pay the institution the cost of staff salary plus benefits in order to offer insurance programs to its staff.  This scenario blurs the line with the second group, the booster operated program.

Booster Operated

A Board of Directors, or Boosters, “calls the shots” in this scenario.  Often pool time is rented wherever available.  The coaching staff is hired, sometimes as contractors/consultants, other times as employees to operate the program.  More often of late, the Head Coach receives the additional title of Chief Executive (or Operating) Officer.  The boosters may pay their staff directly, or they may wash the funds through an institution as mentioned above.  The primary difference from the above model is that the coaching staff works for the boosters, rather than for the facility/institution.  This often means poorer stability and higher staff turnover as a certain staff member may fall out of grace with a board, which then elects to terminate his/her employment.

Coach Owned/Operated

As America’s coaches become more entrepreneurial, or perhaps because they were unhappy with previously described employment models, the coach owned club is becoming more common.  As simple as it sounds, the difference is that the coach invests his/her own “start-up” money for computers, software, and related swim team “infrastructure”.  S/he generally incorporates the swim team, rather than gaining IRS 501(C)3  status as a charitable organization.  The owner/coach negotiates all pool time and contracts, determines the fee structure, and simply runs the team as he/she sees fit.  If a booster organization exists, it is a servant to the coach, rather than the coach serving the boosters.  Most industry experts see this model as a growing trend.

Having be involved (either as a swimmer, coach, or volunteer), I have my personal opinions.  Over the past decade or so, the top swimmers in the country have come from Coach Owned/Operated teams.  Yet the most finically viable teams tend to be the Facility/Institution Owned teams.  So is the Booster Operated swim team going the way of the Dodo?  Don’t hold your breath; booster Operated teams are highly organized and have effective communication channels.

So what does the future hold for swim teams?  For now the status quo is likely to continue, however we are beginning to see hybrid teams emerge as effective partnerships.  For example, many of the Coach Owned teams have parent Boosters acting as a Board of Directors managing the day to day operations.  Is this the future…only time will tell?

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The reason that these two means of access are designated as primary is that they can provide assistance to a wider variety of users then the secondary means of access. The secondary means of access are transfer walls, transfer systems, and accessible stairs.

One thing to keep in mind when selecting a primary means of access for a swimming pool is the ability of potential swimmers to use the selected means of access independently. The primary goal of the ADA is to create an environment where people with disabilities can independently participate in society. This is why one of the requirements for swimming pool lifts is that they be capable of independent operation. Sloped entries are a primary means of access, and serve as an excellent way to enter and exit a pool for ambulatory swimmers. Sloped entries are much safer than either steps or stairs, especially for seniors.

Some wheelchair users, however, may have a difficult time trying to independently enter a swimming pool using a sloped entry. The combination of the slope plus the added buoyancy and friction created by the water, make independently exiting a pool a real challenge for wheelchair users. Additionally, the design of most aquatic wheelchairs compounds the problem, by creating additional instability.

Please see the attached two videos that demonstrate the problems discussed in the previous paragraph. The first video shows the general problems with trying to independently use a wheelchair on a sloped entry. The second video was shot to present a better designed aquatic wheelchair. The second video was shot while the wheelchair was in its design phase.

In conclusion, sloped entries are wonderful means of access for ambulatory swimmers.  However, keep in mind who will be using this means of access, as it may not be the optimal way for some wheelchair users to get into a pool.

Ryan is no rookie to the small screen, but that doesn’t make him a professional (or even good) actor.  His credits include: cameos on 90210 and 30 Rock, interviews with everyone from local news outlets to Live with Kelly, and making the rounds on the late night talk shows (Letterman to Fallon).  He has even been parodied by Seth McFarlin on Saturday Night Live.

His latest media blitz has been to promote the new show What Would Ryan Lochte Do?  yet even with all interview coaching I’m sure the higher ups at E! have provided for him, Lochte has still managed to muck up things.  Last week, a TV interview went viral with a Philadelphia news team breaking out into laughter after speaking with Lochte.  OK, I know it’s unprofessional of the new anchors to laugh like that, but come on…he set them up.

BUT, and I can’t emphasize that enough, Ryan Lochte has done something that even Michael Phelps failed to accomplished: Ryan has kept the sport of swimming in the spotlight during non-Olympic year.  Swimming is consistently the most or second-most watched sporting event during the summer Olympic Games.  During the 2012 London Olympics, swimming was the most watched Olympic sport – thanks to Michael Phelps and…yep Ryan Lochte.  Yet historically after the Olympics, swimming fails to make even a blip of news to the general public.

Ryan has consistently stated his personal goal for the show is to “…bring [the sport of] swimming into everyone’s living room, so bringing swimming awareness.”  Only time will tell if the show will be a success.  The show premiered to a larger audience that E!’s reality juggernaut show about the Kardashians.  Additionally the blog-o-sphere has blown up talking about the show.  If you Google his name there are over 133 million results; with hundreds of thousands of publications within the past seven days.  Even with reviews ranging from “good fun” to scathing comments; as the old adage goes: “any press is good press”, and by that account Ryan Lochte has already succeeded in bringing swimming into your living room and daily conversations.

For those interested, What Would Ryan Lochte Do? airs Sundays at 10pm on E!

JEAH!!!