SKWIM was invented ten years ago by Kevin McCarthy of Washington state. Both Kevin, SKWIM's inventor, and Coach Mark, executive director of SKWIM USA, speak and lead training on water safety and SKWIM.
The aquatic game has been played extensively at Pittsburgh Public Schools' SKWIM & Water Polo Camp as part of its Summer Dreamers Academy. Other organizations offering summer camp and after-school activities have played SKWIM too, including: The Pittsburgh Project, Ozanam, Garfield Gators, Scout Troupes, Citiparks lifeguards, Saturday Swim School, Higher Achievement.
Aquatic Jamborees happen in 2-hour periods at community swim pools. Local events funnel to HQ pools with weekly festivals hosted at pools: Northside at The Pgh Project, Hill Districts Citiparks Ammon.
Engagement with SKWIM includes: introduction with casual game-play among drop-in individuals and invited community groups (church, scouts, nonprofit, professional, neighborhood, school, teams). Mix audiences, ages 10-and-older to adults, participate in a new, non-contact sport. Playing well with others happens in a setting that stresses teamwork, sportsmanship and integrity with pick-up/playground style squads. The ad-hoc teams form with a coordinator. These highly-social games occur in a lagoon area within the pool. SKWIM is sorta like water polo, but far easier to do and understand. First-time participants are proficient and make team contributions. SKWIM is played with a soft, foam, disk that easily skims along the water's surface. Players pass and shoot the disk into goals (like hockey, soccer, lacrosse and basketball) but teamwork matters, like in Ultimate Frisbee. Optional fins and life vests are provided.
A pilot program in 2018, see https://Ammon.4rs.org, grew with grant support in 2019. SKWIM expansion went to 15 city public pools and nearly 20 teams in the Western PA Country Club league. The grant gave kids and adults meaningful team and group activities for increased interactions and wellness.
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