Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

British Olympians Reject “Pointless” Offer To Meet Swim England Chair As Resignation Calls Grow Louder

2026-05-29T10:12:31.220-04:00

---- Forwarded message ---------

From: J.Barry Healey <john.b.healey@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 29, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Subject: Fwd: Olympians Reject “Pointless” Offer To Meet Swim

State Of Swimming +

Olympians Reject “Pointless” Offer To Meet Swim England Chair As Resignation Calls Grow Louder

Swim England governors want to meet Olympians calling for resignations but swimmers, past and present, say 'no', one key reason stated like this: “Resignations will improve trust. And those associated with past failures are hardly likely to be the best future leaders."

By Craig Lord • 29 May 2026

View in browser

British Olympians have rejected a “pointless” offer to meet the Swim England Chair who is one of three governors they called on to resign in a letter last month focussed on three recent, damning reports into the association.

In their letter the Olympians expressed full confidence in the current CEO, Andy Salmon, but called for the resignation from governance positions of Chairman Richard Hookway, board safeguarding champion Neil Booth, and former Senior Independent Director Caroline Green, who still sits on the Aquatics GB board.

Olympians Call For Board Resignations In Swim England Reform Process

An open letter from more than 20 Great Britain Olympians has called for key former and current members of the Swim Engl…

State Of Swimming + •Craig Lord

State of Swimming understands that the three have not resigned, while a source said that they “had not been asked to do so” at an extraordinary Board meeting held to discuss the Olympians letter.

When Swim England responded officially to SOS’s request for comment after it drew the board’s attention to the Olympians’ concerns, it noted in a statement:

“We take the views expressed in the letter from the Olympians seriously. When people within our community take the time to share their perspectives, we want them to know they will be listened toWe're concerned that these individuals feel they need to remain anonymous to Swim England, but we absolutely respect their position.

We have invited the group, or some of its representatives, to meet with us so that we better understand their views, and we hope that invitation will be accepted.

Swim England, including the Swim England Board, has undergone significant changes in recent years, with our stakeholders telling us that we’re making genuine progress, but we equally recognise how much more there is to do.”

None of the Olympians has accepted a specific invitation to meet the Chairman that was transmitted through this author. Many replied to reiterate their strong fear of disclosing their identity, as well as suggesting that a meeting is pointless and will change nothing when the letter itself makes their position clear. In the words of one:

“Resignations will improve trust. And those associated with past failures are hardly likely to be the best future leaders. Those two simple messages are crystal clear in our letter. There’s no need for the board to meet us to be able to understand our views. It is pointless for the Chair to offer us a meeting.

"If the Chair or others finally have something meaningful to say to us about why they refuse to resign, surely they can say it in public to all stakeholders? That way everyone who feels as we do will be able to see why they still believe that they are the best option for our sport.”

As some also pointed out, it is not just about whether this group of athletes trust their governors, but about the very widespread lack of trust revealed in the Listening Report, for which they believe that only a change of personnel can provide an effective solution.

Concerns Over Apparent Current-Board Backing Of Status Quo

Since SOS revealed the concerns of the Olympians, more swimming stakeholders, including other GB internationals, holders of key roles in the sport, and representatives of groups of stakeholders in both Britain and England, have been in touch to express their strong support for the call for resignations.

They believe that accepting responsibility for what went wrong, and allowing the sport to move on under new management, would be a way for Swim England to show that it had understood why trust cannot be built if those in charge of reform are the same people who either oversaw events described in the damning reports, and/or defended those responsible.

If anything, the situation is now all the more concerning because it would appear that recent arrivals on the board have chosen to support the status quo over joining Olympians in their call for a new start.

Like most of the Olympians, others who contacted SOS did not generally want to be identified for fear of repercussions. One willing to be named, however, is Professor Sue Arrowsmith, Professor Emerita of the University of Nottingham. The professor, an honorary KC, governance specialist and Masters swimmer, has worked on sport governance with the OECD and United Nations, among others.

She has battled for nearly a decade to improve aquatics governance, lobbying successfully for reform and helping numerous stakeholders with successful complaints and legal processes.

She summed up many of the sentiments expressed to SOS when she commented:

“Swim England has a fantastic CEO in Andy Salmon. There is a real chance to turn the culture around and create an organisation that is trusted and admired. But the work he is doing to build trust is surely going to be undermined if those at the very top of the sport don’t inspire the same trust.”

“The Listening Report mentioned concerns that those responsible for the problems were themselves overseeing reforms. To me that remains a major problem. But most disappointing of all is that by continuing to support its fellow members from the “old guard” the current board sends out a depressing message about the board as a whole.

"I think many of us hoped that with some recent membership changes the board would take a different approach. The fact that it hasn’t will surely just perpetuate the lack of trust in the board and the concerns in the Listening report about protecting those with power and influence. It’s all very dispiriting for the future of the sport.”

Change “drastically needed”

Another leading figure in aquatics who did not wish to be named commented:

“I hear the views of participants from all areas of the sport and have never known such a level of dissatisfaction with the National Governing Body…… A change in Board management is what is drastically needed to restore confidence.”

Some of those who approached SOS also say that, in the absence of any meaningful response to the Olympians letter, they intend now to take up complaints and actions over board leadership elsewhere.

SOS will continue to report on any developments.

We Found a Backdoor: Lessons From a WordPress Intrusion

2026-05-29T08:13:18.349-04:00

Website security is one of those topics that most people ignore until the moment they can't.

This week, I found myself deep inside a WordPress security incident that unfolded across several websites hosted on the same account. What began as a routine investigation of strange activity eventually revealed unauthorized administrator accounts, hidden files, malicious code, and a site that appeared determined to resurrect itself after deletion.

The experience reinforced several lessons that every website owner should know.

The First Signs

The initial clues were subtle.

Wordfence security scans began reporting unusual activity. Login attempts were pouring in from around the world. Some sites became difficult to access. Administrator accounts appeared that nobody remembered creating.

At first, it was tempting to believe this was merely a configuration problem. After all, security plugins can sometimes lock out legitimate users. Wordfence itself was causing some confusion as settings were adjusted and security measures were tightened.

But then came the discovery that changed the story.

Unauthorized administrator accounts appeared.

Not one.

More than one.

Deleting them did not immediately restore confidence because the obvious question remained:

How did they get there?

Following the Trail

The investigation quickly moved beyond WordPress settings.

Files that did not belong inside WordPress core directories began appearing in security scans.

Examples included:

outbound.php
wp-olite.php
mjc0.php
dwn2.php
perl.haxor
py.haxor

These files were located inside directories where WordPress core files normally reside.

That was a major warning sign.

WordPress core directories should contain WordPress files. They should not contain mysterious PHP scripts with odd names.

Wordfence identified twenty-three such files.

They were deleted.

The Site That Would Not Die

One website in particular, waterpolo.cloh.org, became the center of the investigation.

The infected site was renamed so it could no longer function normally.

The directory was moved out of service.

The malicious files were removed.

And yet parts of the directory structure appeared again.

A hidden .htaccess file surfaced inside a deep WordPress directory. Its purpose was clear: permit PHP execution in places where it normally should not occur.

That was a significant discovery because many malware families attempt to hide inside legitimate-looking folders and then use .htaccess files to bypass normal restrictions.

The site had effectively become untrustworthy.

At that point, the goal shifted from repair to containment.

Containment Steps

Several actions were taken immediately.

Remove Unauthorized Administrators

Every WordPress site was reviewed.

Unknown administrator accounts were deleted.

Known administrator accounts were reviewed.

Passwords were changed.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Administrators gained two-factor authentication.

A stolen password becomes far less useful when a second factor is required.

Rotate WordPress SALT Keys

WordPress security keys were replaced.

This forced existing login sessions to become invalid.

Anyone who had obtained a session cookie suddenly found that cookie worthless.

Change Database Passwords

Database credentials were rotated.

Fresh credentials were stored in Bitwarden.

Harden .htaccess

Additional protections were added.

Directory browsing was disabled.

XML-RPC access was blocked.

Direct comment posting was blocked.

The resulting additions looked like this:

These protections now form part of my standard WordPress hardening process.

Review Unknown Files

Security scans identified files that did not belong.

Rather than ignoring warnings, each item was investigated.

Unknown files inside WordPress core locations should never be dismissed casually.

What the Attackers Were Doing

The Wordfence live traffic screen provided a fascinating view into the reality of operating a public website.

Vietnam
Turkey
Lithuania
Spain
Brazil
The Netherlands
The United States

The attackers probed:

wp-login.php
xmlrpc.php
wp-plain.php

They searched for known vulnerable plugins.

They tested common backdoor locations.

This activity was not targeted specifically at me.

It was automated.

Every exposed WordPress site on the internet receives similar attention.

The difference is whether the defenses hold.

An Important Realization

One of the most useful lessons from this experience was recognizing the difference between noise and evidence.

The internet is noisy.

Bots hammer login pages constantly.

Wordfence blocks many attacks every day.

Most of that activity is routine.

What changed this case was the appearance of unauthorized administrator accounts and malicious files in WordPress core directories.

Those are not normal events.

Those are evidence.

The Human Side

The process was frustrating.

Files appeared, disappeared, and reappeared.

FTP and hosting control panel views sometimes disagreed.

Security tools occasionally became obstacles themselves.

At several points it felt impossible to determine whether the problem was malware, caching, configuration mistakes, or all three.

That uncertainty may be the hardest part of dealing with a website intrusion.

You rarely receive a flashing sign that says:

"Here is the exact problem."

Instead, you collect clues.

You test theories.

You eliminate possibilities.

Eventually a picture emerges.

The Final Lesson

The biggest takeaway from this experience is simple.

Security is not a product.

It is a process.

No plugin can completely protect a website whose passwords are weak.

No password can completely protect a site running vulnerable software.

No scan can protect a site that nobody reviews.

Security comes from layers:

Strong passwords
Password managers
Two-factor authentication
Software updates
Security monitoring
Regular reviews of administrator accounts
Backups
Healthy skepticism

Most website owners will never face a major compromise.

But if they do, preparation matters.

The best time to improve security is before you need it.

The second-best time is tonight.

Old Paper Wars

2026-05-28T12:41:56.816-04:00

Paper Wars on Grant Street

There was a season in Pittsburgh politics when democracy felt like paperwork.

Not speeches.

Not television ads.

Not viral videos.

Paper.

Petitions.
Signatures.
Affidavits.
Notaries.
Court filings.
Election codes.
Deadlines.
Technicalities.
Challenges.
Objections.

The entire machinery of local democracy often came down to who filed what, when, with which signatures, under which party designation, before which clerk, in which room of the City-County Building.

And for a brief moment in the mid-2000s, I found myself wandering directly into that machinery.

Not as a lawyer.

Not as a party insider.

Not as a wealthy donor.

But as a citizen candidate armed with petitions, election law printouts, handwritten notes, and an increasing fascination with how fragile the system actually was.

Looking back now, these court filings read almost like artifacts from another civilization.

A slower political era.

A more procedural era.

A more local era.

An era before social media swallowed politics whole.

At the center of these filings were challenges to nomination petitions involving candidates for Pittsburgh City Council District 3, including Bruce Kraus and Bruce Krane.
The legal arguments themselves now feel wonderfully specific and almost antique.

Could candidates gather signatures while aligned with a major political party and then pivot into an “independent” or political-body candidacy?

Could someone simultaneously navigate both tracks of the election system?

Did the timing of party changes matter?

Did the signatures remain valid?

Did the paperwork comply precisely with election law?

Was the Bureau of Elections properly enforcing standards?

These were not abstract philosophical questions.

These were ballot-access knife fights.

The filings argued that election law existed for reasons larger than mere technical compliance. They cited court decisions warning against “splintered parties,” “voter confusion,” “frivolous candidacies,” and manipulations of the political process.

At the time, Pittsburgh politics still carried strong traces of old machine culture.

Party endorsements mattered enormously.

Committee structures mattered.

Relationships mattered.

Who got frozen out mattered.

Who had institutional support mattered.

And perhaps most importantly, who understood the procedural rulebook mattered.

Outsiders rarely won.

But outsiders could disrupt.

That was part of the energy of the moment.

The filings themselves were intensely pro se. Citizen-driven. Improvised. Long before ChatGPT, legal templates, or modern digital organizing tools, ordinary people pieced together court challenges using photocopies, law library research, election code citations, conversations, rumor, persistence, and stubbornness.

There is something beautifully chaotic about that now.

One section argued that candidates could not legally ride both horses at once: pursuing Democratic primary legitimacy while simultaneously maneuvering toward independent ballot status.

Another section drilled into the signatures themselves.

Who signed?

When?

Under what party understanding?

Which names were registered voters?

Which handwriting appeared suspiciously similar?

Which notary relationships raised concerns?

One filing bluntly claimed that an entire page appeared to be written “with the same pen and hand.”

Today, some readers may laugh at the hyper-focus on signatures and filing mechanics.

But ballot access is power.

Election procedure is power.

Administrative interpretation is power.

Democracy is not merely ideology. It is process.

And process determines who even reaches the ballot.

That reality remains true today, even if modern politics now performs itself through podcasts, cable news clips, fundraising emails, influencer culture, and algorithmic outrage.

Behind every election still sits a quieter world of filings, deadlines, certifications, technical disputes, and procedural leverage.

The old filings also reveal something deeper about Pittsburgh political culture during that period.

There was distrust everywhere.

Distrust of insiders.
Distrust of party structures.
Distrust of endorsements.
Distrust of city government.
Distrust of overlapping relationships.
Distrust of political maneuvering.

The ethics complaints from that same era carried similar themes.

Who belongs to what organization?
Who watches whom?
Who owes favors?
Who can actually act independently?
Who gets protected?
Who gets excluded?

The election petitions were another front in the same larger civic argument.

Maybe all of it stemmed from a city trying to reinvent itself while still carrying the DNA of old industrial political culture.

Pittsburgh was shrinking in population but exploding with institutional complexity.

Nonprofits were rising.
Foundations were rising.
Universities were rising.
Development authorities were rising.
Political consultants were rising.
Public-private partnerships were rising.

Yet ordinary citizens often still felt locked outside the machinery.

So some citizens fought through procedure instead.

Through hearings.
Through filings.
Through technical challenges.
Through the courts.

Was that democratic accountability?

Or procedural trench warfare?

Maybe both.

One thing becomes very clear rereading these petitions now:

Local democracy used to require physical endurance.

People drove downtown.

Waited in offices.

Hand-delivered paperwork.

Made photocopies.

Read actual election law books.

Tracked filing deadlines manually.

Visited courtrooms.

Talked directly to election officials.

There was friction everywhere.

And strangely enough, that friction may have produced more civic literacy than today’s instant-comment politics.

Modern political participation is often emotional but shallow.

Back then, participation could become obsessive and procedural.

You learned how systems actually worked.

Or failed to work.

The petitions themselves repeatedly invoke “the integrity and stability of the political system.”

That phrase now feels almost haunting.

Because twenty years later, Americans trust institutions even less.

Trust in elections is weaker.
Trust in government is weaker.
Trust in media is weaker.
Trust in expertise is weaker.

And yet most citizens remain far less connected to the procedural mechanics underneath public systems.

Few people know how ballot access works.

Few people understand nomination petitions.

Few people know how local election boards function.

Few people have ever filed a formal challenge.

Few people know where power actually lives.

That ignorance creates openings for insiders.

Always.

Perhaps that is one lesson hidden inside these dusty filings.

Democracy belongs not only to charismatic candidates or wealthy donors or political parties.

It also belongs to citizens willing to read the fine print.

Citizens willing to ask annoying questions.

Citizens willing to challenge assumptions.

Citizens willing to stand in hallways holding paperwork.

Even when they lose.

Even when the system barely notices.

Even when history forgets the moment entirely.

These documents now feel less like attacks on individuals and more like attempts to stress-test democratic process itself.

Could the rules survive scrutiny?

Could election systems withstand citizen examination?

Could ordinary people meaningfully challenge institutional momentum?

Or were the outcomes largely predetermined by political gravity?

That question still matters.

Especially now.

Because modern politics increasingly trains citizens to become spectators instead of participants.

Consumers instead of investigators.

Cheerleaders instead of challengers.

The old paper wars on Grant Street remind us that democracy can still be touched physically.

Stamped.
Filed.
Questioned.
Objected to.
Argued over.
Verified.

Messy democracy may actually be healthier than passive democracy.

And perhaps the deeper point was never whether a particular petition succeeded or failed.

The deeper point was that citizens still believed the system could be confronted directly.

That belief may be rarer today than many people realize.

Ethics complaints from back in the day

2026-05-28T12:19:23.028-04:00

PDFs of the three complaints sent to the Ethics Hearing Board in its infancy:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mJZGcOkKznE0imAMM-mCzU4krkyDdfre/view?usp=sharing\

https://drive.google.com/file/d/140sCMQiziIkcflzXeI9lhZ5JT38Gxya_/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p7-ny_iV7X_3HSncjvOWQtAVtYmvTf3B/view?usp=sharing

Article on Substack

Bonus reads:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TdRy3Jh2cG1d-GW2gZLRiYGzAjHb4hFB/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SxS_ml0JzB-Iet_zRhhsEjdT1mkRelQS/view?usp=sharing

Flashback after a trip to California for water polo

2026-05-27T11:23:05.283-04:00

Fwd: ❇️ LifeguardEye Webinar Recording: A Rare Discussion with Aquatic Operators Using AI

2026-05-21T07:31:17.661-04:00

--
Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com

Podcast: =:| Heavy Or Not <;) - The OG Swim Guide

Mark@Rauterkus.com <--- causing lots of missed messages, sadly.

Webmaster, International Swim Coaches Association, SwimISCA.org

and other sites: SKWIM.us, U CAN Swim

Coach at The Ellis School for Varsity & Middle School Swimming

412 298 3432 = cell

New course: Mental Skills for Young Athletes

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: LifeguardEye <mark@lifeguardeye.com>
Date: Thu, May 21, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Subject: ❇️ LifeguardEye Webinar Recording: A Rare Discussion with Aquatic Operators Using AI
To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Hello,

You may have missed the live webinar — or you may want to share it with your aquatic team, risk management team, or lifeguard supervisors.

Either way, we are sharing the recording of a rare discussion: aquatic leaders and operators speaking openly about what it is like to use AI-assisted safety in real facilities every day — including YMCA operations and multi-pool residential environments.

If you only have time for one industry conversation on AI and lifeguarding, this is the one I would suggest watching.

Webinar recording:
https://youtu.be/yRBxh0ZHcBc

This was not a product demo. It was a practical conversation with people who use LifeguardEye in daily operations — with actual lifeguard teams, swimmers, supervision challenges, training needs, and safety data.

One of the strongest messages was clear:

AI is not replacing lifeguards.

When used correctly, it supports them — helping teams improve attention, training, supervision, documentation, and earlier risk recognition.

Operators also discussed how recorded events and daily reports can support lifeguard training, incident review, accountability, and communication between management and staff.

The broader theme was the shift from emergency response toward proactive prevention — identifying risk earlier, before a situation becomes an emergency.

22-second explanation of how LifeguardEye works:
https://youtu.be/ZQ22zoNnF1E

Special thanks to Mari-Lynn Lathrop, Alicia Lumia, Andrew Meditz, and Wesley Kang for sharing their operational experience and perspectives.

Reply to this email if you would like to discuss what this could look like in your facility.

Best regards,
Mark Finas,
CEO LifeguardEye

Click here to unsubscribe from this campaign.

Fwd: Speak out against the 'Future Ready Plan'

2026-05-20T22:47:28.565-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: ppscommunityproposal <ppscommunityproposal@gmail.com>
To: <sarahzangle@gmail.com>
Cc: Michael T. Cummins Jr. <mtcummins@gmail.com>

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your continued efforts over the past year to hold the administration accountable for current and proposed actions. Over the past 6 months, the Community Proposal Team has concentrated their efforts on advocating against the 'Future Ready Plan' rather than advancing the Community Proposal.

We are writing to you now at a pivotal time in this process. PPS School Board votes on the 'Future Ready Plan' and school closures next Wednesday, May 27th.

In advance of this decision, The Community Proposal Team is urging the board to Vote No to the 'Future Ready Plan' in its current iteration. We are joining our voice with Black Women for a Better Education, Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network, 412 Justice and Equity, and many other organizations uniting and collaborating to implore the board to reject this plan.

What can you do?

- Join the Rally prior to the Public Hearing at 5 pm on Tuesday, May 26th in front of the PPS administration building.

- Speak up at the Hearing on Tuesday, May 26th and tell the board to vote against agenda item 17.01. Sign up here: https://pghboe.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3t2rKx6cJ1tqT1Y or use the QR code below.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sarah Zangle, Community Proposal Lead Coordinator

I’m putting out a quiet call to other website owners, developers, hosting admins, and WordPress people.

2026-05-20T15:10:15.286-04:00

I’m dealing with a brutal website security mess across several small WordPress sites, and I’m trying to compare notes with others who manage hosting accounts, WordPress installs, cPanel-style environments, or Google Search Console properties.

The pattern is ugly: under-the-hood malware, fake AMP pages, Google Search Console “AMP page domain mismatch” warnings, surprise ownership verification attempts, changed index.php files, rewritten robots.txt files, strange PHP loaders, and remote scripts aimed mostly at search bots rather than normal visitors.

I am not claiming I know the root cause yet. It could be compromised WordPress installs, bad plugins, stolen credentials, web shells, hosting-layer exposure, or something farther upstream. But the symptoms are repeating across enough places that I want to ask plainly:

Are other webmasters seeing this too?

Especially:

Fake AMP pages tied to domains you control
Google Search Console ownership you did not add
index.php files altered to serve different content to Googlebot
robots.txt or sitemap files rewritten
PHP files calling strange outside domains
Malware recurring after local cleanup

Security people often do not want to discuss details in public, and I respect that. But if you are seeing similar patterns, I’d like to compare notes privately.

This is the kind of thing that makes you want to scream because the public-facing site may look normal while the damage is happening underneath.

Photo from a past CodeFest event -- where we won an award. I'm on the far left.

Fwd: It's race week — and we're bringing Dual Boards to the pool 🏊‍♂️

2026-05-15T11:14:53.884-04:00

-- Forwarded message ---
From: Jose Gallagher <josegallagher@ripcurrentsports.com>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Subject: It's race week — and we're bringing Dual Boards to the pool 🏊‍♂️

RACE WEEK

It's shave and taper time — and Dual Boards training will represent.

Hi everyone,

I'll be honest with you — there's a specific kind of nervous energy that only race week brings. The taper is on. The shave is coming. And no matter how many times you've stood on that block, you still feel it.

This weekend I'm competing at a Masters Swim Meet at Somerset Hills YMCA in Basking Ridge, NJ. Six events over two days.

Here's what's on my schedule:

1650 Free Saturday · 66 lengths

400 IM Sunday · all four strokes, four lengths each

200 Back Sunday

200 IM Sunday

100 Back Sunday

100 Free Sunday

Masters swimming is something I'd recommend to any competitive swimmer who thinks their racing days are behind them. They're not. The water doesn't care how old you are — it just asks if you're willing to show up.

But before the meet, something I'm equally excited about: tomorrow afternoon, a local swim program reached out and asked if I'd come demo Dual Boards with their athletes. For free. No pitch, no pressure — just put the product in the water and let it speak for itself.

That's always been my belief about Dual Boards: when a swimmer tries it, the Boards do the selling. I'm just there to watch.

I'll share how it goes on social — and I'll be back next week with results from the meet. Until then, if you've been curious about what Dual Boards actually look like in the water, here's your chance to see it.

👉 “Watch the Demo”

Thanks for being on this list. It means more than you know.

- Jose

Founder - Rip Current Sports

Follow along: Click Images Below for our Instagram

11160 Viers Mill Rd. Ste Llh-18 #172
Wheaton, MD 20902, United States

Rip reminder

2026-05-13T09:53:54.608-04:00

Kate Lundsten’s Hall of Fame Induction: Stories of Impact, Humility, and Lifelong Swimming Family

2026-05-11T17:51:22.687-04:00

Aquajets Legacy Lives On: Kate Lundsten’s Hall of Fame Celebration and Athlete Testimonials

Kate Lundsten’s induction into the International Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame is celebrated with heartfelt tributes from athletes, fellow coaches, and friends.

Hear the stories that show why she’s a legend in the sport.

Kate’s Hall of Fame induction, walk-up video and the significance of the award.
Personal testimonials highlighting her impact on swimmers’ lives and careers.
Memorable moments from Aqua Jets training trips and competitions.
Her coaching philosophy: humility, tough love, and life‑skill development.
The lasting legacy she’s created within the swimming community and beyond.

Aquajets Home Page

Heavy Or Not — Episode #103

ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame Celebration — Kate Lundsten

Mark Rauterkus

Heavy or not, episode number 103. The ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame celebration shared this video about new inductee, Kate Lundsten from Minnesota. Greatness leaves clues. Subscribe and share with your friends.

And this is going to be the first episode that also goes out on Apple with video.

Jay Chambers

Hi, Kate. I just wanted to congratulate you on your induction into the International Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame. Your contributions have been essential to the growth and success of swimming in the United States. Thank you so much and congratulations.

I’m so lucky to have been coached by you and then later in life to coach with you.

Coach Kate, you deserve this award, not only for the way that you develop the speed and technique of your athletes, but the way that you prepare them for life with their attitude, work ethic, and as community members.

I could not think of a better person for this honor. You coached my three daughters over 12 years and gave me my first coaching job. And what we have all taken away from those experiences goes way beyond the pool: humility, integrity, perseverance, and mostly the importance of trying hard to be a good human being.

All the athletes and coaches that have worked with you, we all know that we’re better off because of you.

That whistle echo on the pool deck air.

We didn’t know how long we’d stay there.

Three lanes full and a team just starting.

Somehow she knew where.

Built something strong at our closet.

Before the banners, before the fame, she already knew every swimmer’s name.

She didn’t just teach us how to swim, she helped us become who we are. She changed our game.

I’m here on Rocky Top right now, and I just want to say congrats on being inducted to the Hall of Fame. You are the most deserving person I know, and I think it’s pretty cool that you and Matt are both being inducted in the same year, because I’ve had the privilege to work with two very amazing people in my swimming career so far.

And I just want to say you helped me become the swimmer and person I am today, and I wouldn’t be here where I am without you.

When you came up with my nickname Goose—

Well, now the whole team calls me Goose, and I just think that that is so special that you have put that in my life.

And I just, like, I remember the days when we had to swim in the terrible Brooklyn Center pool, but somehow you would always say something stupid enough to make us laugh through it all.

You’ve never once doubted me, even when I wanted to try something new like open water. And while it might have ended with me going blind for a few days, I still got so many experiences out of that. Furthermore, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity without you and your support through it all.

I remember when we were at a Pro Series here in Knoxville, and you were like, “Avery, I could see you going here. I think you should look into this when you get recruited.”

And I was like, “Kate, the colors are neon orange. What are you talking about? I’m not going to go here.”

And well, look at where I am now. I ended up here.

And you planted that seed in my head, and you supported me throughout the whole process.

Congratulations. We are so proud of you. We love you so much. We cannot think of anyone more worthy of this than you.

You and I have a lot of history, amazing history, and I can’t think of a single person in my life that has single-handedly changed the trajectory of my life and has given me so many incredible opportunities that still impact me now, almost 20 years later.

It has been an incredible honor to be coached by you and still remain very close to you and still consider you a very dear person in my life.

Your belief in me and your ability to squeeze every ounce of effort out of me at all times, even if it meant pushing my buttons just a little bit, has made such a difference in helping me become the person and the swimmer that I am today.

Your impact goes far beyond the pool.

Hi, Kate.

I wanted to thank you so much for not only making me into a great swimmer, but for also pushing me to become a great person as well.

No matter how good or bad things got during my career, you were always encouraging me to pursue what I loved and to keep working as hard as I could toward my goals, no matter how impossible they seemed.

You are the best coach that any age group, high school, or college swimmer could have ever asked for, and I’m truly grateful for everything that you’ve taught me.

My favorite memory with Coach Kate was when we went on our training trip to Sarasota and all of the seniors rode in this very old van with Coach Kate and we drove everywhere with her and it was so much fun.

Coming from someone who was coached by you and now is coaching on deck with you, I can say that there’s no one else more deserving of this than you.

You pour so much into your athletes and the coaches on Aquajets and the families and everyone that you come across on the pool deck.

You bring so much enthusiasm and fun to swimming and the sport, and you just make it a fun thing to do whether you’re swimming for you or coaching alongside you.

There’s no one that I think that is more deserving of this award than you, Kate. You are one of a kind.

And I’m very grateful for the opportunity to coach with you by your side, just learn from you. You’re an amazing person.

What an accomplishment.

I wanted to thank you for all the years at Aquajets. Your tough love and encouragement to be our best selves has truly taken me very far in my post-swimming career, so I just wanted to thank you for that.

I hope you’re doing well.

You helped me accomplish dreams and goals that I never thought would be possible in my career as a swimmer.

Just so many fond memories from my time on Aquajets, from our circles of love, to all of the meets, to crazy driving.

But one memory that I will never forget is the time when you, Van, Rachel, and I took a trip out to Colorado Springs to have a training trip at the OTC, and we ended up taking a morning off of practice so that you could drive me to a random high school in the area so that I could take my ACT test.

Who does that?

Thank you for all that you’ve done, all that you continue to do both for your athletes, but also for the sport of swimming.

I miss you, I love you, and go Aquajets.

This induction is a long time coming for sure.

I don’t know what took so long.

I’m so proud of you. We’re all so proud of you.

I think it’s just a good time to thank you for being such an amazing coach, such an amazing person to so many young swimmers.

I think one of your many gifts is seeing the best in people, seeing the best in your swimmers and forcing us, whether we like it or not, to carry out that potential.

And for that, we’re forever grateful.

There are so many stories and memories I can share from all the years. So instead, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and for Aquajets.

You have been more than a swim coach to me. You are a mentor. You’re a second mom. You’re someone I know I can come to with anything.

And you’re always going to show up, and you’re going to be there for us.

You’ve created such an incredible environment at Aquajets. It’s more than just a swim team. It’s a family. It’s a family for life.

Thank you for giving me my best friends. They’re friends I’m still in touch with today. We’re bridesmaids in each other’s weddings, and those friendships would not have been possible if it weren’t for the environment and the culture you’ve created at Aquajets.

So, thank you for all you’ve done, and congratulations again.

I joined Aquajets when I was 11, and I remember telling my mom I was going to quit when I got to Kate’s group because her loud whistle scared me so much.

Almost 13 years later, I can confidently say she’s the best coach I’ve ever had.

Under her guidance, I went from not even qualifying for state to meddling at Junior Nationals and eventually swimming Division One at a Power Four school.

But more important than becoming a successful swimmer because of her, I’ve become a better person because of her.

She leads with humility and kindness, and I try to do the same every day.

She always finds a way to keep the mood light, whether it be by getting temporary tattoos for Junior Nationals, having Chick-fil-A before a meet, taking a training trip to Sarasota, and I will never forget coaching with her.

She supported me through some of the most difficult times in my life, offering me great advice, even though I didn’t always take it.

There truly aren’t words to express my gratitude for Kate, and I wouldn’t be here without her.

Fortune Set-up

Here’s today’s fortune statement.

Fortune Reader

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand the way you behave.

Fortune Set-up

Think about it, journal it, use it from Mental Skills for Young Athletes and the companion course at SwimISCA.com.

Songs: See the Substack, or a future episode.

Check out this episode!

Coach Speaks to City Council in Buffalo, NY, - AI Moonshot in PPS Arsenal - and asking a favor with a link

2026-05-08T20:35:43.688-04:00

Join the WAFSU Movement: Simple Code Adds Support Button to Any School Website

Mike Switalski’s Swim Project Tackles Security, Not Safety, in Buffalo Communities.

In episode #102 we hear from Buffalo high‑school teacher and nonprofit founder and swim coach, Mike Switalski, then dive into a new AI‑powered swimming grant and a quick call‑to‑action for coaches.

Mike’s testimony on Buffalo’s security challenges vs. traditional safety approaches.
Impact numbers from the City Swim Project (500 kids served, $350K budget, national swimmer stats).
Introduction of the Moonshot AI grant partnership with Remake Learning & the Grable Foundation at Arsenal Middle School.
“Cannon” analogy: AI as modern power for community‑focused swimming programs.
How to add the WAFSU logo code to your website to support coaches – no cost, just a click‑through to https://wasu.org.

Check out this episode!

Pitt Swimming Coach Resigns Amid Strategic Shift. Move Brings Athlete Uncertainty. Resignation in Serbia too.

2026-05-07T18:08:02.599-04:00

It is depressing when people in power make terrible moves that make no sense.

Student‑Athletes Question Pitt Swimming Future After Leadership Meeting Yields No Answers

Two coaching shake‑ups fill episode #101 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide. One hits close to home, in my city, as Pitt lost its head swim and dive coach with an abrupt departure at graduation weekend.

Many are wondering what is going on with coaching — and what this mean for college and international aquatic sports.

Chase Kreitler’s abrupt resignation from Pitt swimming & diving and the key points from his farewell letter.
Athlete backlash, unanswered questions for AD Alan Greene, and the surge of transfers to the NCAA portal.
Jerry Chen’s perspective on funding cuts and the broader impact on non‑revenue sports at Pitt.
Serbian water polo legend Juroš Števanović’s sudden departure and the federation’s reform moves.
Announcements: Join us for the NISCA National Convention in Grand Rapids in June.
Join Coach Steve Friederang at a one-week Altitude Swim Camp at NAU.
Get the book, Mental Skills for Young Athletes at https://SwimISCA.com.

Check out this episode!

Fwd: New Aquatic Center Projects - North America - Welcome To A New Arena in Aquatics. GAME ON.

2026-05-06T16:06:05.726-04:00

New Wellington Aquatics Center Makes Cover Story of Parks & Rec Business Magazine - Featuring Florida's 1st NINJACROSS System

Williston Water World To Be Featured in World Waterpark Association Magazine

Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City Named A 2026 Capstone Award Honoree in the Hospitality Category By the Kansas City Business Journal

William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center Expansion Awarded By City of Irvine, CA City Council

The City of Fort Saskatchewan Officially Broke Ground on the New $72M Aquatics Centre at the Dow Centennial Centre On March 18, 2026

"At the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA, the Ninja Cross System has become more than just a pool attraction — it has become a powerful motivator, confidence builder, and community unifier." - Suzette Rushing, Operations Director - Wayman Palmer YMCA of Greater Toledo

Join Us - National Recreation & Parks Association - Athletic Business & YMCA General Assembly Conferences 2026

Join A Facility Tour. Revenue, Grants, Sponsorships & Naming Rights? Planning, Renovating or Expanding Your Facility? Designed for all ages & abilities, our indoor/outdoor retractable systems deploy in just 60-Seconds. Smaller Pool? Smaller Budget? Ask us about our MiniNinja!

SCHEDULE A MEETING OFF-SITE OR JOIN US ON THE EXHIBIT FLOOR-

YMCA General Assembly - September 17th - 19th
NRPA - September 29th - October 1st
Athletic Business - November 17th - 19th
Exclusivities available in certain markets - ask us about Showcase Facility Partnerships

Ask us about $250K - $1M in Grants, Sponsorships & Naming Rights. GAME ON.

RECREATION / OPEN SWIM - FITNESS CLASSES - COMPETITIONS - LIVE EVENTS - CORPORATE RENTALS - BIRTHDAY PARTIES - LIFEGUARD TRAINING - BOOT CAMPS - CHALLENGED ATHLETES - 1ST RESPONDER CONDITIONING - REHAB - LEAGUES - REC CENTERS - HEALTH CLUBS - WATERPARKS - COMPETITIVE SWIM - HOTELS/RESORTS - YMCAS - PARALYMPIC TRAINING - ATHLETICS

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

60-Seconds. On-Demand. On The Water. Timing + Entertainment System & Interchangeable Obstacle Challenges PATENT NO. US 9,889,387 B2

Request Design Consultation

NINJACROSS Systems
info@ninjacrosssystems.com
800-778-9702

NINJACROSS Systems, 13725 Metcalf Ave. Suite 352, Overland Park, KS, 66223, United States

One program in NYC - Swimming

2026-04-25T16:17:02.187-04:00

Fwd: Clarion Summer Diving Camp Opportunities

2026-04-23T15:11:52.851-04:00

We are excited to invite you to join us this summer at our Clarion Diving Camps, designed for any diver who is looking to elevate their diving and experience what it’s like to train at a top NCAA program.

Overnight Diving Camps

Dates: June 14–18 and July 5–9
Coaches: Heath Calhoun & Special Guest Coach Dave Hrovat

These camps provide an incredible opportunity to train in a high-level environment, refine your skills, and learn from some of the best coaches in the sport.

👉 Learn more and register here:
https://clariondivingcamps.totalcamps.com/About%20Us

3-Day Diving Clinic (Non-Overnight Option)

Dates: June 26–28
Coaches: Heath Calhoun & Aaron Rooney

If you're looking for a shorter, high-impact training experience without the overnight stay, this clinic is a great option. It’s perfect for fine-tuning technique and gaining valuable insights heading into your next season.

👉 Clinic details and registration:
https://www.divingpod.com/program/diving-pod-diving-clinic/8424

We also have another clinic through our club team for May 29-31 if anyone is interested

Whether you're preparing for college diving or looking to take the next step in your development, we would love to work with you this summer and help you reach your goals.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out we’d be happy to help!

Looking forward to seeing you on deck this summer!

WINGS UP!

Heath Calhoun

Diving Coach

Clarion Golden Eagles Athletics

203D Tippin Gym | Clarion, PA 16214

Office: 814-393-2472

Mobile: 724-355-3434

hcalhoun@pennwest.edu

Unconditional Love and Guidance: A Parent’s Role in Shaping Young Athletes

2026-04-22T19:10:01.959-04:00

The Power of Partnership: Parents, Coaches, and Swimmers Working Together for Success

The Power‑Play of Parenting: Why Unconditional Love Beats All the Swim Drills

“When a swimmer knows they’re loved no matter the time on the clock, the pool turns from a battlefield into a playground, and performance follows.”

In episode #100, the end of season 2 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we turn to a master, Wayne Goldsmith. His statement is the best advice ever delivered to any athletic family. He breaks down the essential partnership among athletes, coaches, and parents. This is the classic triangle. He explains why unconditional love and clear role boundaries are the foundation for a successful sports experience.

What you’ll learn:

The parent’s primary job: love, accept, and value your child unconditionally.
The three‑partner model: distinct responsibilities of swimmer, coach, and parent.
What a swimmer should focus on daily: training, nutrition, recovery, and effort.
Coach duties: technical leadership, speed/endurance development, race strategy.
Common role‑crossing pitfalls and how keeping boundaries intact fuels performance.

Building Character and Performance: The Essential Contributions Parents Make to Sporting Success

Subscribe to Wayne’s content. It is always brilliant!

Wayne Goldsmith’s Substack Link = https://substack.com/@waynegoldsmith

Join Coaches Mark Rauterkus and Ron Usher at the NISCA Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 23 to 26, 2026. Click for details and to register. https://www.niscaonline.org/index.php/conference/nisca-conference

Check out this episode!

Fwd: Applications Open for 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program: Connecting Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Youth to Paid Work Experience and Career Pathways

2026-04-20T11:03:40.405-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: District 6 Press Release <PittsburghPA@public.govdelivery.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Subject: Applications Open for 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program: Connecting Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Youth to Paid Work Experience and Career Pathways

Share / View as a webpage

Applications Open for 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program: Connecting Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Youth to Paid Work Experience and Career Pathways

Pittsburgh, PA –

County Executive Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, and Partner4Work CEO Rob Cherry joined partners at New Century Careers to announce that applications are open for the 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program. Young people ages 14–23 can apply now through June 5, 2026.

Each year, Learn & Earn connects youth across Allegheny County to meaningful summer opportunities that build skills, confidence, and pathways to future careers. Since launching in 2014, the program has supported more than 14,000 participants and invested over $15 million in wages, helping to strengthen the region’s future workforce.

"Learn & Earn is an investment in the next generation of Pittsburghers," said Mayor Corey O'Connor. "This program provides the partnerships our young people need to try something new, develop skills, build a network and work with mentors to become our region's next professionals, leaders and entrepreneurs."

Opportunities to Learn, Work, and Advance

Learn & Earn offers a structured pathway designed to meet young people where they are and support their growth over time:

Tier 1: Career Exploration (Age 14) Youth build foundational skills through interactive workshops, career exploration activities, job shadowing, and industry tours. Participants earn $10/hour for up to 100 hours.

Tier 2: Work Experience (Ages 15–19) Participants are placed at worksites where they gain hands-on experience, develop workplace skills, and build professional connections while earning $12/hour, working up to 120 hours.

Tier 3: Advancement (Ages 20–23) Young adults receive up to 150 hours of industry training, with opportunities to earn credentials and connect to full-time employment or registered apprenticeships. Tier 3 participants earn up to $15/hour

This progression allows participants to move from early career exploration to real-world experience and, ultimately, to career-focused training and employment.

“When young people are given the space to learn, try new things, and be supported along the way, you see them grow; not just in skills, but in confidence and in what they believe they can achieve,” said Rob Cherry, CEO of Partner4Work. “When we invest in that growth, we’re also investing in the future of our communities and our economy”

Businesses Encouraged to Get Involved

Businesses across the region are encouraged to get involved by hosting a Learn & Earn participant. Last year, more than 190 worksites participated, helping provide meaningful work experiences for local youth. Organizations interested in becoming a host site can contact Stephanie Bales at summer@partner4work.org to learn more.

County Executive Sara Innamorato also encouraged businesses to participate, highlighting the positive impact Learn & Earn youth have had within Allegheny County departments. She shared how participants bring fresh perspectives, energy, and new ideas to the workplace, creating meaningful benefits for both young people and employers.

“If we want to strengthen our economy, we need to invest in the talent already here," said County Executive Sara Innamorato. "By connecting young people with diverse mentors early on, we help them build professional roots and see how internships can lead to lasting, sustaining careers right here in our region.”

Apply Now

Applications are open through June 5, 2026. Youth and young adults can learn more and apply at www.jobs4summer.org, or get help applying at locations across Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh.

Businesses Encouraged to Get Involved

To learn more about becoming a worksite, contact Stephanie Bales at summer@partner4work.org.

Stay Connected

Pittsburgh City Council District 6 - Office of R. Daniel Lavelle
414 Grant St, 5th floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-255-2134
District 6 Website

From Perfection to Excellence: How Coaches Inspire Daily Improvement and Belonging

2026-04-15T13:26:07.737-04:00

Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #99

“Perfection breeds fear. Excellence is just showing up a little better than you did yesterday—because impossible isn’t a word in our world; ‘I.M. possible’ is.”

Coach Pierre Lafontaine breaks down why daily wins, energy, and purposeful environments matter more than perfect facilities. Learn how to spark real progress in swimmers, no matter the pool size.

You’ll discover:

The power of creating daily, measurable wins for every athlete.
How coach energy and presence shape a winning culture.
Why “better today, not perfect” should be your core coaching mantra.
Simple recovery and programming strategies that keep athletes improving.
Practical tips for engaging volunteers and optimizing meet day experiences.

Check out this episode!

Google and Health

2026-04-11T11:22:49.174-04:00

Goigke announced new tools and partnerships to support your health at The Check Up 2026. At our annual health event, we shared how AI can help spark medical breakthroughs and bring quality healthcare to everyone, everywhere. We’re providing $10 million in funding to help organizations reimagine clinician education in the AI era, and exploring new partnerships with rural health leaders focused on education, care delivery and research. Plus,

Fitbit is making its health tracking even better with expansions to the personal health coach in Public Preview that will give you more personalized advice about your sleep and overall health, the ability to connect your medical records to the Fitbit app, plus new features for cycle health, mental wellbeing and nutrition and water logging.

Building a Culture of Trust and Clear Accountability with Krista Hawkins, former PAWW swimmer

2026-04-09T13:31:48.529-04:00

Truth About Leadership & Why Collaboration Beats a Lone Wolf Mentality

In Heavy or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #98, we’re blessed to pick up a few flash-back comments as well as present leadership insights from a former competitive swimmer who makes us all proud.

Way to go Krista!

Scott Grates sits down with performance coach, Krista Hawkins, to cover leadership truths, accountability systems, and the importance of holistic self‑care. Her athletic background and the coaching perspectives apply to everyone — from the wee swimmers to CEOs.

Krista explains the important elements that coaches, families and humans should deploy.

Get straight‑forward, actionable insights drawn from Krista’s journey from a shy student just joining the team to a Division‑I athlete and business leader.

Why the “leader must know everything” myth is a lie and why collaboration matters.
How clear communication and a solid accountability framework drive consistent results.
The difference between training (skill‑building) and development (growth) and why both are essential.
Why physical health, mental wellness, and spiritual practices are non‑negotiable for effective leadership.
Krista’s step‑by‑step accountability process: role clarity, goal alignment, regular check‑ins, and actionable feedback.

This is part two in a sequence from another podcast, Referrals Done Right with Scott Grates. See Scott’s site, show and the original, full interview, #122

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/122-krista-hawkins-the-leader-you-are-becoming/id1738602897?i=1000758278572

Krista Hawkins' Links:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-legacy-partners
Personal FB - https://www.facebook.com/krista.hawkins.9
Business FB - https://www.facebook.com/FUTURELEGACYPARTNERS
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_kristahawkins_

Check out this episode!

From Shy Student to Swimmer to Executive Coach: How Coaches Build Unshakable Mental Resilience

2026-04-08T16:02:33.631-04:00

Krista and our PAWW Swim Team - flashback with AI

In episode #97 of the podcast, Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we rejoice in the discovery and shout out of another podcast.

Years ago, Krista’s journey to the PAWW swim team went from a terrified 12‑year‑old student, to age-group swimmer, to Division I athletes to today’s high‑level executive advisor.

Come along for the ride and enjoy the flashback with coaching tactics and a story debrief with aid from Notebook AI.

Krista’s growth to and confidence happened, in part, on the team — with Head Coach, Mark Rauterkus. The mental‑skill system translated from the pool deck to the boardroom — and appeared in a podcast episode elsewhere.

Learn:

How a competitive swim program became the catalyst for Krista’s confidence boost.
The specific mindset and accountability framework Coach Mark taught her.
Why raw physical talent alone isn’t enough for peak performance.
How Krista now applies similar principles to coach thousands of business leaders.
The broader lesson: elite youth coaching methods can be scaled into powerful executive leadership strategies.

Thanks to Scott Grates, and his Referrals Done Right podcast, episode #122 for the interview with Krista. Hear their voices in Heavy Or Not, #98.

Show link https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/122-krista-hawkins-the-leader-you-are-becoming/id1738602897?i=1000758278572

Krista’s Links:

How Early Sports Psychology Shapes Future Leaders and Influences Whole Industries

Check out this episode!

Greetings from Wilburn

2026-04-07T15:37:00.002-04:00

Greetings!

I mistaken left SI out of my original draft.

June 4. 1:00 – 3:00. (Patricia's Birthday). Memorial ServiceEast End United (EEU) Sanctuary. 310 Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON, M4K 1N6 Thursday June 4, 1-3pm. Live Zoom room stream for the service: https://bit.ly/Memorial_RevPatTrudeau PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMUNICATE THIS LINK OUT.

June 4. 3:00 - 5:00. Memorial Reception. Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation (NUUC) Sanctuary & Cappuccino Room. 310 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4K 1N6

TBA – July 5-10. Central East Region Summer Institute (CERSI) Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

https://www.cersiuu.org/

July 11. 4:00 - 6:30. PM (RSVP). Rauterkus – Palmer Reception. Pittsburgh

Wilburn and Donovan will be in Pittsburgh on July 11th and hope you will join them to celebrate Patricia's life. We will be gathering at Mark Rauterkus and Catherine Palmer's home (108 South 12th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203). Please feel free to join us anytime from 4-6:30pm. We'll have time to recount shared moments and stories of Patricia as you are moved. We ask you to RSVP so we can have a sense of the number of individuals who will be joining us. We look forward to spending time with you.

https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eWKT6aukramVlxI

July 12. 2:00 PM. 1st Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Memorial and Reception. 605 Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213

August 22. 1:00 PM. Unicamp Memorial – Luncheon, Informal Sharing and Fairy Walk after sunset. 638159 Prince of Wales Road, Mulmur ON, L9V 0C5

Take Care!

Wilburn

My hope is that one day soon we will all be free from racism.

Video

2026-04-05T08:10:00.001-04:00

https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/workspace/google-vids-updates-lyria-veo/

Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

British Olympians Reject “Pointless” Offer To Meet Swim England Chair As Resignation Calls Grow Louder

We Found a Backdoor: Lessons From a WordPress Intrusion

Website security is one of those topics that most people ignore until the moment they can't.

The First Signs

Following the Trail

The Site That Would Not Die

Containment Steps

Remove Unauthorized Administrators

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Rotate WordPress SALT Keys

Change Database Passwords

Harden .htaccess

Review Unknown Files

What the Attackers Were Doing

An Important Realization

The Human Side

The Final Lesson

Old Paper Wars

Paper Wars on Grant Street

Ethics complaints from back in the day

PDFs of the three complaints sent to the Ethics Hearing Board in its infancy:

Flashback after a trip to California for water polo

Fwd: ❇️ LifeguardEye Webinar Recording: A Rare Discussion with Aquatic Operators Using AI

Fwd: Speak out against the 'Future Ready Plan'

I’m putting out a quiet call to other website owners, developers, hosting admins, and WordPress people.

Fwd: It's race week — and we're bringing Dual Boards to the pool 🏊‍♂️

Rip reminder

Kate Lundsten’s Hall of Fame Induction: Stories of Impact, Humility, and Lifelong Swimming Family

Kate Lundsten’s induction into the International Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame is celebrated with heartfelt tributes from athletes, fellow coaches, and friends.

Hear the stories that show why she’s a legend in the sport.

Heavy Or Not — Episode #103

ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame Celebration — Kate Lundsten

Mark Rauterkus

Jay Chambers

Fortune Set-up

Fortune Reader

Fortune Set-up

Songs: See the Substack, or a future episode.

Coach Speaks to City Council in Buffalo, NY, - AI Moonshot in PPS Arsenal - and asking a favor with a link

Mike Switalski’s Swim Project Tackles Security, Not Safety, in Buffalo Communities.

Pitt Swimming Coach Resigns Amid Strategic Shift. Move Brings Athlete Uncertainty. Resignation in Serbia too.

Student‑Athletes Question Pitt Swimming Future After Leadership Meeting Yields No Answers

Fwd: New Aquatic Center Projects - North America - Welcome To A New Arena in Aquatics. GAME ON.

Ask us about $250K - $1M in Grants, Sponsorships & Naming Rights. GAME ON.

60-Seconds. On-Demand. On The Water. Timing + Entertainment System & Interchangeable Obstacle Challenges PATENT NO. US 9,889,387 B2

One program in NYC - Swimming

Fwd: Clarion Summer Diving Camp Opportunities

Unconditional Love and Guidance: A Parent’s Role in Shaping Young Athletes

The Power‑Play of Parenting: Why Unconditional Love Beats All the Swim Drills

Building Character and Performance: The Essential Contributions Parents Make to Sporting Success

Subscribe to Wayne’s content. It is always brilliant!

Wayne Goldsmith’s Substack Link = https://substack.com/@waynegoldsmith

Fwd: Applications Open for 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program: Connecting Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Youth to Paid Work Experience and Career Pathways

Applications Open for 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program: Connecting Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Youth to Paid Work Experience and Career Pathways

From Perfection to Excellence: How Coaches Inspire Daily Improvement and Belonging

“Perfection breeds fear. Excellence is just showing up a little better than you did yesterday—because impossible isn’t a word in our world; ‘I.M. possible’ is.”

Google and Health

Building a Culture of Trust and Clear Accountability with Krista Hawkins, former PAWW swimmer

Truth About Leadership & Why Collaboration Beats a Lone Wolf Mentality

Way to go Krista!

Krista Hawkins' Links:

From Shy Student to Swimmer to Executive Coach: How Coaches Build Unshakable Mental Resilience

Krista and our PAWW Swim Team - flashback with AI

Come along for the ride and enjoy the flashback with coaching tactics and a story debrief with aid from Notebook AI.

Krista’s Links:

How Early Sports Psychology Shapes Future Leaders and Influences Whole Industries

Greetings from Wilburn

Video

“Perfection breeds fear. Excellence is just showing up a little better than you did yesterday—because impossible isn’t a word in our world; ‘I.M. possible’ is.”