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“SWIMMING HOLES EAST” Announces 10th Anniversary on the Web

By Anonymous

May 1 2004--the information on the web site is free and provides maps, descriptions and photos of the swimming holes, driving directions, global satellite positions, and links to online maps, where available. The content also features recommendations for “family-friendly” visits, safety tips for swimming in natural areas, and strong warnings about potentially dangerous waters. The content is catalogued by state, with 22 eastern states in detail and selected spots in many western states as well.

The site was created out of a love for the outdoors. Its founder is Tom Hillegass, a 60 year old, semi-retired engineer and occasional freelance writer from Alexandria, Virginia. The project was conceived and built in 1994 by him and his college-aged daughter, and began with only 35 listings. After ten years, there are now 750 locations listed, and the site’s usage has grown from obscurity to 300,000 visitors in 2003. More recently, David Hajdasz of Meriden, CT has joined Tom in this endeavor. Dave has contributed abundant information and photos through the years, and is now responsible for all the listings in New England. Tom and Dave add new locations from their own exploration and also post information emailed in by swimming-hole enthusiasts.

The site is entirely a hobby of the creators and generates no revenue. There are no plans to change its non-commercial status, according to Hillegass. “Maintaining this site fits with the lifestyle I want to live. I love to travel, camp, hike and explore. I get to keep up with technology, and as a freelance writer I get lots of stories and ideas from my experiences.” Hillegass continues, “I like sharing information for others to enjoy, plus I feel that in the long run, publicizing these natural sites will increase awareness of them and will motivate others to protect them.”

The site has been featured in publications such as Time Magazine, AAA World, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, and others. Download photos for publication and get further information by visiting http://www.swimmingholes.org/inpress.htm.




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Swim Spa Product Launch at UK's National Boat & Caravan Show.

By Anonymous

February 5, 2004--Now anyone can swim non-stop in their own garden without digging a pool. In the Signature Swim Spa from Coventry’s Midland Spa & Hot Tub the water flows so swimmers can swim-on-the-spot in this 4.3 x 2.3 meter ‘swimming-machine spa’. It doubles as a 6-seater spa bath. Users can exercise and then chill out for just £15,995. For the National Boat, Caravan & Outdoor Show there’s a special show price of £14,995 on Midland Spa’s stand 5786B. Show visitors can save £1000 and enjoy the fun of their luxury spa and swimming machine.

Seen for the first time in the UK at the National Boat, Caravan & Outdoor Show (NEC 14-22 February), the Signature Swim Spa holds 5800 litres of warm buswimmingpoolsreviewing, healthy, therapeutic water. It is 1.3m meters deep. Six pumps and 50 jets create a water flow to test the strongest swimmer. The flow is fingertip controlled to suit every swimmer, including the smallest child. The pool controls also fully cater for less energetic enjoyment. That includes letting the warm, buswimmingpoolsreviewing water flow past soothingly while sipping a chilled drink, relaxing with friends or having family fun. Soak or swim, the Swim Spa is always ready.

Speaking about the Swim Spa’s UK debut, Marcus Sleath, Midland Spa’s sales director said, “We have had a huge interest in our new swim spa. It is an important step for us and for our customers. They range from residential owners to leisure centres and holiday resorts. It’s a perfect way of having a pool and spa in one. It takes only a little space, needs no excavation or plumbing and it can be easily moved to a new house.”

Coventry’s Midland Spa & Hot Tub has grown in four years from a single retail sales outlet to the sole national importer and distributor for spa baths for Australian and American manufacturers. Midland Spa has a growing national dealer network and is now launching Swim Spas to the UK.

The Swim Spa comes with a 2-year warranty from Midland Spa, which also offers service and maintenance contracts for their own spas and repairs to any make of spa, UK nationwide. Midland Spa will instruct users on spa management to maintain the water at its cleanest. The company supplies all chemicals and consumables needed by spa and swimming pool owners. The company also offers a water analysis service with a printed report advising on action needed for a sparklingly healthy spa and swimming pool.



This article courtesy of http://swimmingpoolsreview.info/.
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How One Girl Is "Almost" Swimming To France For Charity.

By Anonymous

September 15, 2004 -- "Yes you can!" states 24 year old Katherine Griffin, who reveals that instead of indulging herself in the run up to Christmas, she intends to swim to France - well almost.

Katherine is going to swim 21 miles (the equivalent distance of an English Channel swim) in her local swimming pool to raise money for the charity ASPIRE.

"I thought it was a long way to swim, until I shocked myself working out that I would have to swim 1,680 lengths of the pool!"

Katherine remains undaunted though, saying "I'm not doing this for my benefit, I'm raising money for a charity called ASPIRE. They work towards the rehabilitation of people with spinal chord injuries."

"I'm not very fit at the moment" admits Miss Griffin, however she feels that with enough support she will be able to get through the 1,680 lengths before Christmas. "I'll swim in the evenings after work, while my friends are out enjoying themselves, but it is a fantastic cause so I don't really mind"

When asked whether others were considering joining in, Katherine says, "This is backed by some of our Olympic swimmers and I would really appreciate it if people would help sponsor me. My target is £750, however it would be the best Christmas present ever, if I could raise well over 4 figures."

If you'd like to Help Katherine please visit her page at:-
http://www.newsletteroptins.com/MyChannelSwim

All donations are secure and sent electronically to ASPIRE. If you are a UK taxpayer and feel you'd like to give a little to this much needed cause, the government will add an automatic 28% bonus to your donation at no cost to you.

When asked whether she wanted others to emulate her she replied, "Yes! Please join me by going to your pool to support ASPIRE and a fabulous cause, and if you don't want to swim 1,680 lengths then please consider giving ASPIRE a small donation instead."

You can visit Katherine's web page now by going to:-
http://www.newsletteroptins.com/MyChannelSwim



This article courtesy of http://swimmingpoolsreview.info/.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
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