ISHOF ANNOUNCES TORILL HINDMARCH OF NORWAY AS 2014 VIRGINA HUNT NEWMAN AWARD RECIPIENT


FORT LAUDERDALE – The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) today announced that Torill Hindmarch will be the 2014 recipient of the Virginia Hunt Newman International Award.  The award will be presented on Friday evening, June 13th during the Paragon Awards Night during the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s 50th Enshrinement weekend. This award is sponsored by Kiefer, the “Keep em Swimming” Company founded in 1947 by Hall of Fame swimming great, Adolph Kiefer.  This award annually recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of infant and young child swimming instruction in the name of the “Mother of Infant Swimming,” Virginia Hunt Newman.

Torill Hindmarch is a consultant to the Norwegian Life Saving Society with responsibility for water safety and drowning prevention education, curriculum development instructor qualifications and teacher support for families and children.  An early years education expert, Torill has been teaching baby swimming since 1975 and has developed a child centered approach by combining her passion for swimming with her education and knowledge of the advantages of movement in water to develop aquatic programs for both pre-schoolers and children that are developmentally challenged. Her pedagogical approach has proven to be effective for enhancing speech development, social skills and motor development in young children and is central to the development of teaching philosophy in aquatics for young children in Norway.

Since presenting at the 1st international conference in baby swimming in Strasbourg, France in 1988, she has been asked to make presentations about her methods and philosophy around the globe. Her main message is to use the gentle methods pioneered by Virginia Hunt Newman and and encouraging the babies and toddlers to take initiative in their aquatic learning. Her perspective is on drowning prevention, promoting self-rescue techniques together with water safety education for parents.  She feels strongly about ensuring a child-centered education both in and out of the water.

The Kiefer Company is extremely proud to support the International Swimming Hall of Fame and this award,” said Greg Kadens, Kiefer’s President. “Associating our founder’s name with Virginia Hunt Newman and Torill Hindmarch is another way for our company to support swimming and share our company’s legacy with future generations.”

For tickets or more information, call 954-462-6536 or visit www.ishof.org

About Virginia Hunt Newman
Virginia Hunt Newman, who passed away in 2009, pioneered and focused worldwide attention on the non-forceful, non-traumatic method of teaching infants and preschool-age children to swim. In 1962, she gained international attention when her star student, Bing Crosby’s daughter Mary Frances, passed the Red Cross Beginner Test at age two – the youngest ever to be awarded the certificate. Her first book, Teaching an Infant to Swim, published in 1967 was an international bestseller, published in England, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Japan. Her method of teaching swimming by distracting children from normal fears associated with learning has been emulated by thousands of instructors around the world. For more information about the award and past recipients, visithttp://ishof.org/awards/virginia_hunt_newman_intl_award.html

About the Kiefer Company
Gold medalist Olympic swimmer Adolph Kiefer founded Kiefer in 1947.  As the official aquatics supplier to the 1948 U.S. Olympic Swim Team, the company introduced the first nylon swimsuit as a lightweight alternative to wool and cotton suits and a low cost alternative to the silk suits of the time. Since then, Kiefer has provided the swim community with many innovative aquatic performance and safety products including the original Wave Eater racing lane, fully customizable starting blocks, lifeguard equipment and apparel, and a complete line of national brand and Kiefer brand competitive swimsuits, swim goggles and training aids.   Although now retired, Adolph Kiefer continues to dedicate his life to helping swimmers of all ages and abilities. Visit www.kiefer.com for more information.

About ISHOF
The International Hall of Fame, established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its mission is to promote the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, quality of life, and the water safety of all adults and children.  It accomplishes this through operation of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, a dynamic shrine dedicated to the history, memory, and recognition of the famous swimmers, divers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers and people involved in life saving activities and education whose lives and accomplishments inspire, educate, and provide role models for people around the world.

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