On Aug. 9, Vashon’s Seals Swim Team will — for the first time — host world-class swimmers on the Island.

Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Josh Davis will be the guest of an Island family while he is on Vashon to lead an afternoon swim clinic at the Vashon Pool from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. The name of a second clinician will be released soon after competition schedules are worked out.

Timing of the clinic is perfect to catch area swimmers’ excitement. It will be held in the middle of the nation’s two greatest swimming events of the year, which are happening in Federal Way: The US Swimming Open Long Course Meet and the US Swimming Junior Nationals Meet.

The four-hour clinic will be packed with championship performance techniques, in-water instruction and the opportunity to race the best swimmers in the world.

Unlike many other clinics, it will be kept small so each participant gets ample attention.

Clinic participants don’t have to be competitive swimmers, but must be between the age of 8 and 18 and know how to swim the four competitive swim strokes: back, breast, butterfly and freestyle.

Participants will receive small-group personal instruction in the water. They will also learn how the body, mind and heart affect their swimming. Swimmers will have time to ask questions, get autographs and take photographs with the athletes. Each will get refreshments and take home a gift pack containing a T-shirt, poster, DVDs and other souvenirs.

Parents are invited to watch the clinic from bleachers at the pool.

Vashon Park District is co-sponsoring the event. Online registration starts in early June at the Park District’s Web site: www.vashonparkdistrict.org.

Interested swimmers and parents are encouraged to save the date and watch for updates on the Vashons Seal Swim Team Web site: swimvashon.org.

— Gary Gray is an active swim parent and former president of the Vashon Aquatic Club.

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