Olympic Champion Josh Davis led an awesome BREAKout! Swim Clinic in Brooklyn, NY on February 2, 2008 for the swimmers of the Bay Ridge Aquatics Institute – Harbor Seals.

Check out what the coach said,

What a thrill it was for us to host a Mutual of Omaha BREAKout! clinic for our swim team, the Harbor Seals of Brooklyn, New York! Shantel and Josh Davis made it so easy for us to host our clinic; they supplied us with advertising materials and press releases, and were accommodating in every way possible.

Josh Davis and Jenny Thompson were tremendously open and approachable, staying long after the clinic ended to sign autographs, take pictures and spend time chatting with our swimmers and their parents. The fact that everyone in attendance got to hold and wear the Olympians’ medals was really cool. Parents and swimmers alike were inspired by Josh and Jenny’s oral presentations, their racing against every participant and all were especially delighted by the race with our coaches. Coach Valerie is still glowing about touching out Josh, while coach Dave is grumbling about not being mentioned for doing so as well – we haven’t told them about the size of the head start they got and I don’t think we’ll show them the video either.

The BREAKout! clinic with Josh Davis and Jenny Thompson was the greatest thing that has ever happened to our team. Both athletes explained and demonstrated not only what is important in swimming but in life as well; every aspect of being the best one can be was covered by these two extraordinary Olympians. No one can remember a time when our swimmers were so quiet and attentive as when Josh and Jenny were speaking. The parents who were privileged to host and drive them agree that they would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, host parent Joe says that Josh is welcome anytime he’s in New York to read storybooks again to his 2 year-old daughter. The fact that Josh gave up a chance to swim that morning in favor of spending time with Joe’s family is something that he and his family will treasure forever.

Thank you Mutual of Omaha for sponsoring the BREAKout! clinic with Josh Davis and for providing us with numerous “goodies” (DVD’s, posters and other neat swimming stuff). And thank you Dr. Jenny Thompson for taking the time to fly in from Boston on your day off to join Josh in instructing and racing our Harbor Seals.  On behalf of the Harbor Seals coaching staff, our swimmers and their families, and especially the Langaman, Raiola, Anderson and Spinelli families, I want to thank you, Josh Davis, for sharing your knowledge, enthusiasm, humor and humanity with us.

Fred Fritsch
Harbor Seals

Here are just a few of the comments from our team parents:

“Thank you for a once in a lifetime opportunity!  What a fantastic clinic! Truly inspiring!”

“I don’t know who the parent was provided this fantastic opportunity, but I would like to express my gratitude…. This was certainly a day we will all remember – Tara not only enjoyed it but was inspired and learned a lot.”

“Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank all those responsible for the event on Saturday. It was fantastic!!!”

“Everyone had a great time.  The experiences that the swimmers received were priceless.  Josh Davis and Jenny Thompson related to the Harbor Seals experiences and goals that will surely motivate them not only in the pool but in everyday life.  The parents, coaches as well as the swimmers were inspired by them. We could not have asked for better clinicians for the event.”