Step Into Swim

Masters swimmer Jeff Commings shares with Rowdy and Sabeena how his love of swimming led to the creation of a swim school – with the goal to inspire swimmers to be better… but it's his students who have inspired him.

In this episode, U.S. Olympics Swimming Coach and International Swimming Hall of Fame inductee David Marsh speaks to Rowdy and Sabeena about his exceptional career in which he guided the 2016 U.S. Women's Olympic Team to 16 medals and the 2021 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team to 30 medals.

In this episode, National Drowning Prevention Alliance Executive Director Adam Katchmarchi speaks to us about their efforts to reduce the incidences of drowning and aquatic injuries in the US and abroad.

In this episode of the Step Into Swim podcast, our host Rowdy Gaines sits down with 5-time Paralympian Jessica Long to discuss the impact she's had on the world as the face of Paralympic swimming. The two discuss her countless successes while also delving into the struggles she experienced on her the way to the top.

In this episode of the Step Into Swim Podcast, our host Rowdy Gaines sits down and talks with Bill Kent, board chairman of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and CEO and board chairman of Team Horner. The two discuss Kent's journey to the top of the swimming pool industry and the monumental ideas that helped propel the industry forward.

In this episode of the Step into Swim Podcast, Rowdy Gaines sits down and talks with 2-time Olympian and Olympic medalist Lia Neal. The two discuss Lia's history in the sport as well as all the ups and downs of her journey to Olympic medals and an NCAA championship. They also discuss diversity in the sport and Lia's perspective on being the first African-American woman to win an Olympic swimming medal.

In this episode of the Step Into Swim podcast, Sabeena Hickman and Rowdy Gaines sit down with Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America Foundation, to discuss the sentimental aspects of pools and the sport of swimming. The three also delve into the importance of diversity in the industry and much more!

The PHTA's very own Sabeena Hickman and Rowdy Gaines sit down with Charlie Claffey of Claffey Pools to discuss the impact his business has on the pool building industry. Claffey Pools is a family owned and operated business that values the well-being of its consumers and members of the industry over anything else. The three discuss the state of the industry and how they can make the biggest positive impact moving forward.

In this episode of Step Into Swim podcast, hosts Rowdy & Sabeena introduce brother and sister act, Michael and Katie Ledecky. Sibling swimmers since childhood, Michael & Katie walk down memory lane to discuss how they fell into swimming, and how the sport has shaped and changed their lives. Katie followed Michael into the pool as a young girl at the age of six years old, and went on to win five Olympic gold medals and 15 world championship gold medals, the most in history for a female swimmer. She is the world record holder in the women's 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter freestyle. She holds the fastest-ever times in the women's 500-, 1000-, and 1650-yard freestyle events.

Franceen Gonzales is the Chief Experience Officer at Whitewater West Industries, as well as the Board Chair for the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. With over 30 years in amusement park, water park, hotel and family entertainment management. She's held positions on the board of directors for various groups, including IAAPA - International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, WWA - World Waterpark Association, and ASTM International to name a few. Franceen joins Step into Swim to chat about how she became emersed in the aquatic life at an early age, but it wasn't the original plan.