While not exactly on topic--Fred Rogers (of MisterRoger's Neighborhood) was well-known, in Pittsburgh, for his love of swimming. He was seen many times at the local pools (I think U of Pitt's Trees or CMU's pool) doing his daily swim.
He did many shows related to swimming--even showing himself swimming with others. One of his early frequent guests was Coach Will Saunders who, in the 60s, was the coach for one of the local high school swim teams.
Thanks for noting the Fred Rogers-swimming connection. I have lived in Pittsburgh most of my life and somehow didn't know Mr. Rogers swam daily--or even at all. He was truly a great fellow, whose dedication to his audience was awe inspiring. I have long admired him--and it's neat to know he was a swimmer, too! I once heard him interviewed, I think on public radio, and he said that he purposely tried to take things incredibly slowly, methodically, because the kids who watch his show tend to have such hectic, hurried lives. They need something steady and calm in their lives as an antidote to the daily frenzy.
Maybe that's one of things that so good about swimming. People who don't swim look at us practice and think it's monotonous and dull; maybe Fred Rogers' choice of avocation hinted at a kind of practicing (as an adult) what he preached (for kids.)
Thanks for noting the Fred Rogers-swimming connection. I have lived in Pittsburgh most of my life and somehow didn't know Mr. Rogers swam daily--or even at all. He was truly a great fellow, whose dedication to his audience was awe inspiring. I have long admired him--and it's neat to know he was a swimmer, too! I once heard him interviewed, I think on public radio, and he said that he purposely tried to take things incredibly slowly, methodically, because the kids who watch his show tend to have such hectic, hurried lives. They need something steady and calm in their lives as an antidote to the daily frenzy.
Maybe that's one of things that so good about swimming. People who don't swim look at us practice and think it's monotonous and dull; maybe Fred Rogers' choice of avocation hinted at a kind of practicing (as an adult) what he preached (for kids.)
