Swimming

Speedo Swim Generation

| tigeresskirby

This week, Speedo launched a brand new movement in the hope to reduce drowning worldwide. It’s called Swim Generation and could seriously save lives.

Did you know that over 1,000 people loose their lives to drowning every single day?! It’s the third leading cause of death worldwide!

speedo

The initiative aims to help contribute to the reduction of drowning through increasing awareness and by providing people with the correct skills and knowledge to prevent drowning from occurring. They’ll be donating kit, time, funds and expertise to allow these lifesaving projects to have a real impact. It’s a global initiative and for some people, could be the difference between life and death.

 

The thing is, that they can’t do it alone. They’re not asking for much. In fact there are some small changes that you can make, named by Speedo as ‘Small Ripples’…

Small ripples:

– Have a conversation – let people know about Swim Generation

– Pledge your support to Swim Generation across social media

– Share a story – let people know about the issue

– Make sure you tell friends and family how to stay safe

– Post and share water safety messages on social media

To bigger things that really ‘Make Waves’…

Making Waves:

– Donate to one of the Swim Generation community partners

– Learn lifesaving skills

– Volunteer your time

– Drowning prevention – ensure you have an action plan in place to help keep you and others safe

Or if you are even more committed, it could be you who ‘Turns The Tide’.

Turning The Tide

– Help raise funds for one of the Swim Generation community partners – complete sponsored swim

– Become a qualified life saver and/or lifeguard

– Be an advocate/activist for safer swimming

Find out more by clicking right here.

Speedo are definitely in my good books lately. First it was Make 1k Wet, encouraging people to get more active and increase fitness in other areas by hitting the water and now they’re saving lives through Swim Generation. Why not spread the word or get on board yourself. You never know, it could help to keep somebody alive.

 

Speedo #Make1KWet with Nathalie Emmanuel 

| tigeresskirby

Speedo have launched a brand new campaign in the hope to get more people into the water and improve their fitness via the fabulous sport of swimming. #Make1KWet aims to highlight the  benefits of the sport and it’s ability to improve performance in other activities such as running. 

To celebrate the launch, we headed to the beautiful Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel to pick up our goody bags and then strolled across to Canary Wharf Virgin Active, where we took to the water! 


Wearing the latest Speedo kit- a body positioning swimsuit (which I have to say is amazing!) and Biofuse anti fog goggles- we were looking like pros, but could we keep up the pace once in the water? 

Expert coach Annie Emmerson led the session whilst Olympic swimmer Florent Manaudou showed us exactly how it should be done with world-class demonstrations. Split into three different groups dependant upon ability, we were in the water for a good 45 minutes following instructions from Annie and putting our bodies to the test. 

As a keen runner and admittedly, a not-so-keen swimmer, the session made me realise that I have a long way to go if I want to master the sport of swimming. I learnt through isolation drills that, just like out of the water, my legs are much more powerful than my arms, which could be one downfall in my swimming game. My breathing technique also isn’t the best meaning that there’s plenty of room for improvement. 

Honestly, I have never had a desire to swim. From a young age I had to be bribed to go to my swimming classes with the promise of pick’&’mix afterwards. On holiday, I would rather sunbathe than take to the pool and the thought of trekking to a UK pool quite frankly sounded like the worst idea ever. However, I have to say that although I’m not going to be a swimming enthusiast any time soon (although never say never!), I do think that I am now more keen to make improvements and see if it really does have an affect in other areas. 

Once dried and fed we were introduced to Game of Thrones actress Nathalie Emmanuel, who is the face of the new Speedo #Make1KWet campaign. Nathalie explained her original swimming fears and her journey to overcome them with the Speedo team. She was sweet, funny and extremely honest- a very likeable character who has made me want to tackle my own swimming insecurities even more. 

Overall, I think that #Make1KWet is a brilliant idea- well done, Speedo. It’s refreshing to see a brand pushing people to take note of their health and fitness levels and encouraging more people to move away from their comfort zones. 

Now, with my new kit at hand all I need to do is find out the location of my nearest pool… 

PayasUgym: The New Way To Keep Fit

| tigeresskirby

We all know that with hectic schedules and last minute plans, the gym just sometimes doesn’t fit into our day. For example, you’re meeting your friend at one side of the city and your gym’s at the other or that business meeting overruns, meaning that you don’t quite have time to make that 6pm spin class. You know there’s no chance that today’s workout is happening. Well, that was until the clever people of PayasUgym created this fabulous idea for busybodies all over the UK; a pass that allows you into any gym, at any time, in any place.

Top up your pass. Search the website for gyms, pools and classes near you. Head to the venue and get working out. It’s as simple as that. From yoga to swimming, bootcamps to HIIT, dance to swim classes or even just the gym, PayasUgym offers a number of options in locations near to wherever you may find yourself!

So next time you’re meeting your friend at the other side of the city, no problem! You might just be able to fit in a quick session before cocktails, as you can head to that gym right next to the cocktail bar… Perfect for people who are always on the go or for those who simply love to switch up their workouts.

If you want to find out more or have a taster for yourself, head down to their London event Urban Movement on Saturday 5th Feb. Taking place 9am-12pm in a secret location, you get to try six workouts for just £10! See you there? xx