THE LOWCOUNTRY SPLASH IS APPROACHING AND VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!

We are just over a month away from the 2018 Lowcountry Splash, which will be held on Saturday, May 26th. The Splash is an annual open water swim consisting of 5 and 2.4 mile distances. The 5 milers jump in at Daniel Island Pier and cross the channel at the Hobcaw Yacht Club, where the 2.4 milers start. All swimmers swim under the Ravanel Bridge and finish at the Harbor Marina. The LAPS program is the sole beneficiary of this amazing event!

We need volunteers on land and in the water (with kayaks, boats, jet skis)! 

If you, your families, friends or coworkers can help, please click the link below to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact Annie O'Brien, Volunteer Coordinator, @ annie.m.obrien13@gmail.com, or John Lambert, LAPS Outreach & Administrative Intern. 

http://www.lowcountrysplash.com/volunteers/

Thank you!

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Volunteers needed for 40th annual Turkey Day Run; support LAPS

Before you eat a great big meal (or two!), join us for the 40th Annual Turkey Day Run through downtown Charleston.  The more volunteers who sign up in the name of LAPS, the more funding we receive from the event's proceeds. Click the link below to sign up, and don't forget to write LAPS in the Charity Organization box!

Busy on Turkey Day? There are plenty of opportunities to sign up beforehand!

[ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-sign-up-for-40th-annual-turkey-day-run-gobble-wobble-tickets-35865428462?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTI4OTcxOTQvdG9tZnJlc3NpbGxpQGdtYWlsLmNvbS8w&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&utm_term=eventpage ]

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Fox 24 News & LAPS discuss drowning, importance of swimming lessons

After a local 11 year old girl drowned in the Stono River just weeks ago, Fox 24 News decided to discuss the importance of water safety and swimming lessons in our coastal community.  LAPS Program Director and Founder, Shannon O'Brien appeared in the below clip on the 11:00 news that evening.  In addition, Charleston County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Dan Maddock spoke to the importance of boater safety. 

 

http://foxcharleston.com/news-now/one-lowcountry-nonprofit-making-swim-lessons-more-accessible/

Color Block helps swimmers block the rays

Local Charleston company, Color Block, owned by J. and Marly Demaranville, came to the MLK pool to give Mitchell Elementary first graders a great summertime treat-sunscreen! Besides offering all natural protection, the children were given the colored version of the sunscreen and explained the importance of wearing it. Not only is the colored sunscreen more fun to apply, but they know to reapply once the color has worn off!  Look for Color Block at stores and farmers markets in the Charleston area and on LAPS swimmers all summer long!

TryCharleston and LAPS work together for safer swimmers

Swimmers entered the lake at KOA on Saturday, April 15th to begin the first leg of the TryCharleston triathlon as several volunteers closely monitored from paddleboards, kayaks, and jetskis to ensure their safety. TryCharleston donated a portion of proceeds to LAPS, as both organizations promote safety in and around the water.  Volunteers included Palmetto Masters swimmers, local surfers, LAPS staff, and Charleston County's Rescue Squad. We thank TryCharleston for their contribution to LAPS, the volunteers for their commitment, and we look forward to next year's event!

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LAPS chosen to "Make a Splash"

 

"The USA Swimming Foundation raises funds to support programs that save lives and
build champions - in the pool and in life."

The USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash initiative is a national child-focused water safety campaign, which aims to provide the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim. Through Make a Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation partners with learn-to-swim providers and water safety advocates across the country to provide swimming lessons and educate children and their families on the importance of learning how to swim. 

We're so excited to announce that LAPS was chosen as a 2017 recipient of the USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Local Partner Grant! There were nearly 200 applications from various learn-to-swim programs throughout the country, yet the Foundation awarded grants to 71 programs including LAPS.

Partnering with an organization like USA Swimming makes LAPS part of a bigger cause. As a result, we plan to "make a splash" here in the Lowcountry!

 

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Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg visits LAPS

On Thursday, March 9th, Mayor Tecklenburg took a break from the office to pay LAPS an extended visit at the Martin Luther King pool in downtown Charleston! Children from Ms. Hazel's kindergarten class at Charleston Progressive Academy were taking lessons when the Mayor and his colleagues, Mike Whack and Rick Jerue stopped in for an introduction to the program.  Mayor Tecklenburg discussed the program curriculum and skill attainment data with Program Director, Shannon O'Brien and spoke with the instructors, lifeguards, children, and their teacher. Mayor Tecklenburg was extremely impressed with the program as a whole, and says he'll do whatever he can to make the program continue to succeed. 

Mayor Tecklenburg, Shannon O'Brien (Program Director), Christie Segle (instructor), and CPA kindergarteners are all smiles after swim lessons.

Mayor Tecklenburg, Shannon O'Brien (Program Director), Christie Segle (instructor), and CPA kindergarteners are all smiles after swim lessons.

Swimming World October 2015: "4 Swim Lesson Flaws that Haunt Today's Swimmers

LAPS instructors use Swim Lessons University curriculum that teaches key progressive skills.  Our devoted staff works year round instructing over 1,500 kindergarten and first graders from Title 1 schools from Charleston County School District.  These children are becoming safer in the water and gaining a tremendous amount of confidence.  Swimming World Magazine features a picture of some of our children and instructors in this month's issue.

 

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/4-swim-lesson-flaws-that-haunt-todays-swimmers/#comment-48665

 

Area Swim Teams Take to the Water to Support LAPS

This summer many of the thousands of swimmers under the Coastal Carolina Aquatic Association participated in fundraisers to help support Lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming by having swim-a-thons, lemonade stands and even a triathlon.

The participating teams raised almost $10,000 with Newington and Northbridge swim teams winning their leagues.  Special recognition to Newington swimmer Noah McKanna and Brickyard swimmer Lawton Rutledge for raising the most money for their teams.

Community support like these events help us continue to teach the love of swimming to children who may not be exposed to the sport. Plus the LAPS program instructions include life-saving, learn-to-swim techniques.

LAPS thanks all of those CCAA swimmers who participated and look forward to next year’s event!

12th Annual Lowcountry Splash Press Release

(Mt. Pleasant, SC – May 1, 2013)   Charleston’s premiere swim event, adds a new option for the 12th Annual Lowcountry Splash - Open Water Swim.  On June 1st, 2013 swimmers from around the world can “Getting Under It” in a new way. Organizers have added a 5 mile swim across the Cooper River beginning at Daniel Island. This is in addition to the original 2.4 mile swim along the Mount Pleasant shoreline, swimming under the Cooper River Bridge and finishing at the Charleston Harbor Marina in front of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point.  “After 11 successful years of the 2.4 mile swim we decided to present swimmers with a new challenge, our 1st 5 mile swim from Daniel Island where they will meet and finish with the other swimmers," said Mark Rutledge, Co-Director of the Lowcountry Splash.

This isn’t just an award-winning competitive swim it’s also for charity, as proceeds from the Splash benefit the Logan Rutledge Children’s Foundation. The local not- for-profit organization established in May of 2002 in memory of Logan Jennings Rutledge (7/30/02-08/26/02).  The foundation supports Lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming. The LAPS program teaches swimming lessons and water safety to kindergarten and first graders in Charleston County School District’s lowest socioeconomic schools. Our goal is to drown-proof our children.

Swimmers of all levels participate in the Splash: triathletes, recreational lap swimmers and competitive age group swimmers including Olympic swimmers .The Splash continues to grow in popularity attracting swimmers from 34 states and 5 countries.

As always, we combine the best time in the Over Under Challenge between the Bridge Run and the Lowcountry Splash with the Dash and Splash Competition.

To register or for more information visit www.lowcountrysplash.com.

We would like to thank our sponsors for supporting this years’ event. Ameris Bank, Rehabilitation Centers of Charleston/RCC, 105.5 The Bridge, Continental Tire, Hobcaw Yacht Club, NetTec, LLC.,  Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Motley Rice, and desktopCo-op.

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Lowcountry Splash 2013

June 1st is the date for the Lowcountry Splash

The Lowcountry Splash has become South Carolina's premier open water swim. The Splash began as an idea of creating a unique open-water swimming event in the Charleston area.  The event is a 2.4 Mile Open water swim along the Mount Pleasant shoreline, swimming under the Cooper River Bridge and finishing at the Charleston Harbor Marina and Resorts in front of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point. Now in our 12th year, we are adding a 5 mile swim across the Cooper River beginning at Daniel Island. 

Proceeds from the Splash benefit the Logan Rutledge Children's Foundation, a local not- for-profit organization established in May of 2002 in memory of Logan Jennings Rutledge (7/30/02-08/26/02).  The foundation supports Lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming. The LAPS program teaches swimming lessons and water safety to kindergarten and first graders in Charleston County School District’s lowest socioeconomic schools. Our goal is to drown-proof our kids.

Swimmers of all levels participate in the Splash: triathletes, recreational lap swimmers and competitive age group swimmers including Olympic swimmers .The Splash continues to grow in popularity attracting swimmers from 34 states and 5 countries. ​​

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