Here are a couple fun items I found on YouTube.com that will surely spice up your Friday. First, check out this amazing and slightly comical Japanese diving demonstration. They avoid hitting each other in the water by diving slightly to the side of the previous diver. Watch the video below, or click HERE to watch.

Next, also in Japan, an art installation that mimics the surface of a pool yet allows people to walk through it without getting wet. How do they do it? Watch below, or click HERE.

In a recent Sports Center report, ESPN’s Legal Analyst Roger Cossack makes very rational and realistic predictions about Michael Phelps’ current situation. It’s always refreshing to hear level-headed reporting like this–getting away from the celebrity hype. View the video, as hosted by Fandome, HERE or watch it below:

At the age of 56, Jennifer Figge swam over 2,000 miles across dangerous seas to become the first woman ever to swim solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She is no stranger to extreme distance events in both land and water.
Watch a video of Figge’s training below, or click HERE to view.

In response to a post on SwimNetwork.com by SwimPhil, I agree and acknowledge the fuzzy math that explains her trans-Atlantic swim in only 24 days.

Suzanne Goldenberg reported for The Guardian on what Figge’s business manager, David Higden, had to say:

“She swam 19 of 24 days,” said David Higden. “It turned from an endurance swim into an extreme adventure swim. She didn’t get into the water as much as she wanted, because the waves were so high. The weather was so extreme the crew had trouble seeing her in the water.”

Figge did not respond to requests for comment. In her defence, Higden said she had never set out to swim the entire distance. “Nobody could swim across the Atlantic. It’s physically impossible,” he said. “It would take literally years.”

Regardless of the actual distance swam in the Atlantic, Jennifer Figge has still accomplished an amazing feat of swimming endurance. Let’s congratulate her on an impressive and inspiring accomplishment rather than scrutinizing her swim too fiercely.

>>Watch coverage from CBS News Online.
>>View the post by SwimPhil on SwimNetwork.com

This instructional video, made by Speedo, is a great resource for how to fit a speedsuit. As you can tell by the video, this process will take time to do correctly. View the video HERE or watch it below:

I’m working on a more extensive section about speedsuits and bodyskins, if you have any questions please post them in the comments section.

Last week I posted a few photos from Splashdiving.com, showing an extreme diving sport that I just learned about. I’m still obsessed with these fierce competitors and their ability to smack from 10 meters. Here is a video of the 2007 Mentos Splashdiving World Championship in Hamburg, Germany. Video HERE or watch it below on our blog site.

Link:

By spending a lot of time underwater, freedivers become exceptionally good at blowing bubble rings. Check out this video of Swedish Freediving Team

You’ve heard of “Dancing With the Stars,” but how about the German television program called ‘Total Turmspringen’? The concept is similar, except that instead of dancing, German celebrities perform dives in front of a studio and TV audience.

In this episode, German gymnast and national superstar Fabian Hamb

Beverly, MA – On Sunday, November 2, 2008, Ryan Lochte visited the YMCA of the North Shore in Beverly MA and hosted a swim clinic, answered questions from swimmers and signed autographs. For the team of 700 plus swimmers, Ryan took the time to meet all those that attended. Video HERE or watch it below.

Do you need help organizing and ordering your team’s equipment? Kast-A-Way Swimwear’s Team Central can help you do just that. One of our team coordinators will personally work with your coach to establish discounts, and ensure that each member of your team gets exactly what they need for the season.

This fall, Matt Grevers served as the Northwestern University 2008 Homecoming Grand Marshall in the homecoming parade. Watch his interview with the BigTen Network about his recent experience at the Olympics. Video HERE or watch it below.

More from Northwestern Swimming:
The men’s team will travel to Notre Dame for a meet this Friday, and live results will be available on www.und.com.

Kassia Shishkoff, Photo by: Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern women, with current Big Ten Swimmer of the Week Kassia Shishkoff, have a meet against Michigan this Saturday.

>>Visit Northwestern University’s athletic website.

>>Check out more swimming and diving on the Big Ten Conference Athletic Site.

Source: Big Ten Conference, NUSports.com, BigTen Network