By Tamas Mondovics

County Celebrates “Go Skateboarding Day”

Hillsborough County’s Brandon Skate Park hosted a 2014 Go Skateboarding Day celebration last month.

Giving testimony to the sport’s continued impact on both young and old, each year since 2004 skateboarders around the globe come together on June 21 and celebrate what is considered one of the most influential outdoor activities.

The event seeks to encourage area residents to abandon televisions, video games and computers and instead put their skateboards into play.

Celebrated at the 11,000 sq.-ft. Brandon Skate Park located at 5720 Providence Rd. in Riverview, the event drew hundreds and featured free food, live music, and prizes, with focus on dozens of talented skaters that brought their best tricks and joined in competitions in categories across four age divisions (7 and younger; 8 to12-year-olds; 13 to17-year-olds; 18 and older).

The Brandon Skate Park is an obstacle street and bowl park that opened to the public in 2012. Helmets are required and a notarized waiver must be completed.

Complete Skate Park Rules and waiver form available online at www.HillsboroughCounty.org/Brandonskate.

For more information, contact Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 744-5319.

 

BSAC Draws Hundreds as an Official Host for the World’s Largest Swim Lesson

With more than 200 kids the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) was pleased to take part in the largest simultaneous swim lesson last month.

On Friday, June 20, the center joined tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the world uniting all for the fifth year in a row to set a new Guinness World Record, for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL).

“We had a fantastic turn out that led to an outstanding event promoting the participation in learning to swim and ultimately saving lives,” said BSAC Director of Marketing and Brand Development Lori Bukaweski.

Each participating aquatic faculties are now in the process of submitting their attendance figures for final count.

Team WLSL holds the current Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson, which stands at 32,450 participants representing 13 different countries across five continents.

The 2013 WLSL event generated more than 50 million media impressions, spreading the event’s important message to hundreds of thousands of families.

Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury related death for children ages 1-5, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14.

Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged 1 to 4, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

To learn more about WLSL, visit WLSL.org, or call BSAC at 689-0908.

 

East Bay Youth Athletics 8U Softball AllStars Won Florida State Title

After a successful season, the East Bay Youth Athletics 8U Softball AllStars defeated Winter Park to win the Babe Ruth Softball Florida State title.

EasSportsEast-Bay-State-Champs-photot Bay went 5-0 over the five-day state tournament in Lake City out of a field of 18 teams to capture the trophy.

According to program coaches, the East Bay AllStars out-scored its opponents 81-29 over the five days.

The numbers give clear testimony to the programs spectacular defense.

The 9-5 victory that led the team to earn their State win now gives the girls the chance to represent the State of Florida in the South Regional’s tournament scheduled for Wednesday, July 16 in Morganton, N.C.

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