Rocky Point, Mexico

We are here in the Sea of cortez, at Rocky Point, Mexico where we come down a few weeks every month.There are 3 pools at our condo and we are right on the front of the Sea.  I watch the little ones in the Sea ….and there is a parent with them every single second.  The Mexican families are certainly to be praised for how they watch their kids near water!  When I am teaching the little ones to swim in the pools, the parents have their eyes glued to their kids…..

That’s the # 1 way to prevent drowning!  They sure don’t lose alot of kids around water down here.  The families are connected…they respect and appreciate the water.  Why?  Do they have less stress and parties and things than we do in the States?  Is their a “family” ethic?  Kids are not just in front of computers or on cell phones or DS.  Yes, they have them here, yet they seem to be more out and about as a unit than we are. 

Drowning season approaches?  What will you do this year to prevent drowning?  I am still on my 100 miles Grannie Gatorhead mission.  Slow but sure with no left shoulder/arm strokes.  I am grateful to be able to swim at all and to help swim the message of drowning prevention.

ROCKY POINT, MEXICO

Heading out for open water swim

The power water and it’s message

Today, down here in our beloved Mexico ,I was honored when a doctor and the head of maintanance both asked if I could teach their 5 and 6 year old daughters to swim.  I began by saying that the first thing I do is to just hold them in the water…put a little water on their arms…a dab on their precious faces.  That tells them that the water is their friend…..to a point.

Remember the power of water!  I love it, it loves me.  I must always respect and honor it’s place on this earth.  It is the stronger and larger than I am.    When we swam from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco shores a few years ago…I told my 10 yr. old charge….”.Embrace the water:  never fight the water.”  It will take you to safety.  Learn to swim and be part of the water’s saving graces.    My heart goes out to the little 8 year old boy in Maricopa County who lost his 2 brothers on Jan. 1st in the canal’s water.  Both were autistic and could never be near the power of water because they just simply cannot understand.    God rest their precious little souls tonight.  We pray for everyone who touched their lives.

3 CHILDREN DROWN IN NEW YEAR!

A VERY SAD way to begin New Year in Maricopa, AZ.  2 young boys drowned…1 age 6 and 1 age 10.  They drowned in an open canal with a 45 ft. drop.  Other 10 year old brother ran “several” blocks home to get help.  How to prevent this?  1st of all:  Parental supervision:  live near an open canal and the 3 boys are playing on it?  #2 Neither knew how to swim.  Free swim lessons available if one looks!  I raised over 1k two years ago for a local YMCA’s “Strong Kids” program where children can learn how to swim free!  No excuses…..the “victims” here are the two boys grasping for their last breath…not the parents! I have been told I have no compassion for the parents by one relative of a drowned toddler.  Sorry, but my compassion must and will always be first to the true victim…the unprotected child.  God help the remaining 10 year old brother who could not save the others.  His life will be forever impacted by this tragedy….could have been prevented.  Watch people blame the County now!  So they won’t have to look for the true cause of this…….

I have 18 grand children and believe you me!  They aren’t out strolling dangerous canals and not having swim lessons of any kind!       May the little boys rest in peace and LET’S ALL  WAKE UP IN 2012!

Off to Mexico where we teach children in the resort’s pool and Sea of Cortez to swim!

Triathletes drown, too.

Nine triathlets have drowned this year.  Panic and anxiety are most probable cause.  I have competed in two triathlons and was told to be sure and swim in the actual waters of the race beforehand.  Good advice as you get familiar with the conditions of the water….not just a pool where you train.

2 more drownings in Phoenix area….winter is here…drownings are,too.

 

Swimming Sea of Cortez

 

3 weeks and no children drowned! Thank you, God!

Tomorrow is 9/11 and I am grateful as I think of all those lost in the Twin Towers….that we have saved some little ones from drowning….yes…it has been 3 weeks and we have no children drowned here in greater Phoenix area.  All the press, the Fire Departments,the hospital awareness programs,  the local rec and pool centers, the swim camps, the YMCA’s and better eye contact and cleaning dirty pools and fencing and sealing doggie doors and swim lessons and all of the prayers world-wide for drowning prevention awareness.  Thank you all for waking up and smelling the water!   I have been swimming granniegatorhead, pools and open water.,,one and a half arm still…well, forever.  Get the job done………60 miles to date.

Typical summer day in Phoenix.

15 children have drowned YTD in Phoenix area

Here we are in August….highest drowning rated month.  Get it together out there please…..wake up!  Eye to eye contact!

We are up here on the Northern Coast of Oregon where I did open-water Pacific swims and swam in the Rogue River.  Lovely currents, challenging me, making me stronger both emotionally and physically.  Please take care to keep your to keep your eyes on the little ones…every second.  We must stop this cycle of drowning each year!

Rogue River Swim, Gold Beach, Oregon...8/2011

Another child drowns in Phoenix area!

A four year old child drowned in a private home pool in Surprise, AZ yesterday.  Where was the person assigned to keep eye contact with this victim of child neglect?  Yes, I am not afraid to say it is neglectful to not watch a little one ….every second….around water.  WAKE UP!

Grannie with grandson and his friend...safe in the pool!

Murky pool = Child Drowns!

Clear pool water and an adult with the child!

20 Children…17 adults…1 murky pool = 7 year old boy drowns yesterday in Phoenix at a backyard 4th of July Party…..want to bet there was plenty of alcohol flowing?  Children and a murky pool……Have a brain? then drain!  And this is not child neglect?  what is it?  A celebration?  I am furious!  How many more children will drown this Summer?  One of yours?

Strong Kid’s Programs

Contact your local YMCA and help give a youngster swimming lessons this summer.  Photo is of my 10 year old swimmer and me swimming from Alcatraz to San Francisco for drowning awareness.

Here we come from Alcatraz to San Francisco Bay...BRRRRRRRRR!