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New Pool, New Look, New Teacher for FLOW Aquatics

New Pool, New Look, New Teacher for FLOW Aquatics

You’ve probably noticed that we’ve been making some big changes here at FLOW Aquatics. Not only have we made improvements to our programs and curriculum, we’ve consolidated our two locations (Meridian and Boise Watersports) to one pool at Wings Center in Boise.

With so many changes in the works, we felt it was time to update our look. In fact, in honor of our ten-year anniversary (eleven, come March), we decided this would be the perfect way to say goodbye to our first ten wonderful years and to usher in the next ten.

That said, not only have we built a brand new website and blog, our new logo incorporates our new mascot, a sea creature known for several unique characteristics: We’d like you to meet Toda the Turtle (whom we like to think of as our very own Turtle Yoda).

Toda has traveled a great distance across the depths of the sea to join FLOW Aquatics. He is a great master who has influenced generations of FLOW coaches. He has an extensive knowledge of the FLOW way, and is skilled at teaching us how to let go of our human mindset so we can become one with the water and be at peace with it.

Unlike some swimming journeys, which can be energy-draining and combative, Toda teaches the turtle way. This involves a slower, more fluid series of steps with potentially longer cycles of transformation. The result: becoming calmer and more harmonious with the water, which is more enduring over time.

Sea turtleSince ancient times, the turtle has represented wisdom, peace, and determination. Even by its technique, the turtle embodies our philosophy and demonstrates the skills we teach our students: how to gain control and become one with the water, rather than struggling.

Just observe how a turtle swims; it creates little resistance, yet this creature is one of the strongest and most effective ocean swimmers. (The green sea turtle can swim up to 20 miles per hour!)

Here are some additional interesting facts about the sea turtle:

  • While giant sea turtles may be clumsy and almost helpless on land, they are fast migrators in the sea and can reach speeds of ten knots and are very agile.
  • Turtles are the oldest living group of reptiles, dating back to the time of the earliest dinosaurs.
  • The sea turtle’s shell, or “carapace” is streamlined for swimming through the water.
  • Green sea turtles can stay under water for as long as five hours, even though the length of a feeding dive is usually five minutes or less. Their heart rate slows to conserve oxygen: nine minutes may elapse between heartbeats.
  • The largest sea turtle is the leatherback. An adult can reach over six and a half feet long.
  • Sea turtles migrate hundreds of miles between nesting and feeding grounds. Most sea turtles undergo long migrations, some as far as 1400 miles, between their feeding grounds and the beaches where they nest.
  • The marine green turtle has been known to swim 480 km (300 miles) in 10 days.
  • The fastest speed claimed and proven by any reptile is 22 mph by a frightened Pacific leatherback.

We’re excited to have a capable teacher like Toda on the FLOW team. You will be hearing a lot more from him, as he will be sharing water wisdom and pool news via the FLOW blog. Stay tuned!

Also, don’t forget to join us at Wings Center (1875 Century Way, Boise ID across from Costco on Cole Road) for an open house this Friday, January 9th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you!