Join us for S4:EP9 of the Sports Philanthropy Podcast as Mike Switalski, educator, coach, and founder of now, City Swim Project, sits down with our host, Roy Kessel, to discuss how he got involved in swimming projects and how it brings opportunities to swimmers.
Mike Switalski began the Buffalo City Swim Racers, now City Swim Project, back in 2012. His goal was to establish equality in the world of swimming. He is a former Division III swimmer and recipient of a B.A. in physical education at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. He has a diverse set of experiences, from coaching, teaching, to swimming.
City Swim Project is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012. It offers free to low-cost swim program opportunities to swimmers in Buffalo, New York. It is part of USA Swimming and Niagara Swimming, a local governing body, responsible for organizing, supporting, and governing USA Swimming’s swim clubs in the Western New York region.
HIGHLIGHTS OF MIKE’S PODCAST
- 00:00 Introductions
- 02:00 Mike as a Swimmer
- 03:40 Competitive Swimming during Covid
- 07:30 Creative Tutoring & Health Education Opportunities for Kids
- 13:00 Challenges of Starting the Project
- 17:00 How Covid Affected the Organization
- 20:30 Training Coaches & Staff
- 25:00 Future Goals of the Organization
- 26:00 Learn to Swim Program
- 30:00 Sources of Funding
- 32:00 Contribution & Diversity
- 39:00 Conclusions
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND WEBSITE
- Website: www.cityswimproject.org
- Twitter: @BuffaloRacers
- LinkedIn: Mike Switalski
