Olympic swimmers visit Vashon

Josh Davis, a veteran of the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, and Kim Vandenburg, veteran of the 2008 Olympics, came to Vashon on a near perfect, summer Sunday in August to teach, motivate and inspire young swimmers.

Josh Davis, a veteran of the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, and Kim Vandenburg, veteran of the 2008 Olympics, came to Vashon on a near perfect, summer Sunday in August to teach, motivate and inspire young swimmers.

The Olympians captivated the crowd of local and off-island swimmers and parents with their Olympic experiences, motivation talks and in-water demonstration.

Prior to the clinic, some swimmers had their pictures taken with both clinicians, holding Davis’ three well-worn gold medals.

Vandenburg took to the water to demonstrate streamlining and starting from the blocks. She wowed the crowd. It was obvious why she earned the title in 2007 as the third-fastest woman in the world in the 200-meter butterfly.

At the end, Davis and Vandenburg encouraged swimmers to set goals, make commitments and work to make those goals come true.

The clinic concluded with Davis announcing the winner of the Streamline Award: Amanda Ohmert won Davis’ Olympic swim cap for the most improved streamline position during the event.

The clinic was offered in cooperation with Mutual of Omaha. Vashon’s Seals Swim Team hosted the event with help from Vashon Park District.