Good Reminders to Keep You, Your Family, and Your Friends
SAFER Around the Water this Summer
From Mike Koleber of Nitro Swimming
I’ll be 58 this summer, been swimming since I was 3 years old, eleven time NCAA All American, former Water Safety Instructor, Life Guard Instructor, and with my wife Tracy, owner of Nitro Swimming. Yet I’m not drown-proofed – no one is.
As this summer season kicks off, here are some good reminders to keep you, your family, and your friends SAFER around the water this summer:
Nitro Swimming’s Top 9
• Learn how to swim! There are several providers of swim lessons in the area – even for adults. Did you know that 52% of American adults cannot swim? Swimming is a LIFE SKILL that can actually save a life…perhaps YOURS. Enroll today! We at Nitro offer classes starting at 6 months old through adult. We prefer the gentle/caring/non-traumatic approach for our infant classes where we promote comfort, bonding and trust as well as a healthy respect for the water. For more information about our programs, check us out at www.nitroswim.com
• A bathtub can be as dangerous as a pool. It’s easy to get distracted on a phone, in a good book, or someone at the door. EYES ON THE WATER AT ALL TIMES! All it takes is a second of carelessness or having your attention somewhere else.
• Most water emergencies are SILENT! One moment they are on top of the water, and the next…slip…under they go. No visible warnings typically. EYES ON THE WATER AT ALL TIMES!
• Unless you are a VERY experienced swimmer, and the water is at a depth of at least 5’, always enter water FEET FIRST.
Mike and his son, who is now 21!
• No matter how familiar you might be with a lake/river, always enter feet first. Trees, debris, rocks can be hiding under that surface where you thought they were not. It’s not worth the risk!
• Never Swim Alone. When swimming, rely on the buddy system. I follow that advice during my weekly swims – even in shallow enough water that I can stand.
• Lifejacket. Whenever I’m in Lake Travis I wear a Coast Guard approved life vest. Yes, the owner of Nitro Swimming wears a life vest whenever he’s in the water at Lake Travis.
Happy Swimming! Be sure to visit Mike, his wife Tracy and the rest of the amazing staff at Nitro Swimming in Bee Cave or Cedar Park. Be sure to keep an eye open for their new location in Kyle/Buda opening Fall/Winter 2022.
