header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
May 19
1851 - San Fernando-San Francisquito-Eliz. Lake Roads become public highways [story]
wagon


Commentary by Gloria Locke
| Sunday, Oct 6, 2013

glorialockeFilled to capacity, the restaurant buzzed with commotion while camera flashes exploded in the dimly lit dining area of Buca di Beppo in Anaheim. Among the prestigious CEOs, directors, USA Swimming presidents, lifeguards, Olympic hopefuls and Olympic medalists sat a 6-year-old Santa Clarita swimmer who traveled more than 120 miles to have lunch with Olympic swimming icon Cullen Jones.

Jones is one of the fastest freestyle sprinters in the world today and holds the current American record in the 50m freestyle. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he was a member of the electrifying 400m freestyle relay team that broke the world record and won Olympic gold in one of the most memorable races in history.

With the victory, Cullen became the second African American to win an Olympic swimming gold medal. In 2012, Cullen competed in the London Olympic Games, where he secured a silver medal in the 400m freestyle relay and garnered his first individual Olympic medal in the 50m freestyle.

Philly, a first-grader at Rio Vista Elementary and a beginning swimmer at Academy Swim Club of Valencia, joined swim club owner Nikki Miller during the USA Swimming Foundation’s annual luncheon, hosted by Olympic gold medalists Rowdy Gaines and Jones.

The writer interviews Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones.

The writer interviews Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones.

“Drowning is an epidemic in our nation,” said Gaines, a three-time Olympic medalist and USA Swimming Foundation ambassador. “Since 2006 the USA Swimming Foundation, through its Make a Splash initiative, has taught more than 2.5 million children to learn to swim, and to be safer around the water.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 people drown each day in the United States.

Additionally, a national research study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and conducted by the University of Memphis found:

* 70 percent of African American children have low or no swimming ability;

* 60 percent of Latino children have low or no swimming ability;

* 40 percent of Caucasian children have low or no swimming ability;

* Ten people drown each day in the United States.

Ironically, Jones ad nearly drowned at age 5 while visiting a water park with his family.

“My dad wanted to get on the biggest ride at the amusement park. I came down the ride after my dad and hit the bottom where I was supposed to gently coast to the other side. I was so small, I flipped upside down. My mom hears my screams and then silence. She gains ‘superhuman strength’ and comes down the ride after me. She could not swim. So here we are. I’m drowning on the left. My mom is drowning on the right. After we were pulled from the water, I needed full resuscitation,” Jones said.

Jones, now 29, holds two Olympic gold medals and two silver medals.

The sport of swimming has been a part of the Olympic Games since inception in 1896 and is only one of five sports to compete in each Olympics. The United States has been the No. 1 swimming nation in the world more than 50 years.

“I want a gold medal. How can I be like you?” Philly asked as he searched Cullen for an Olympic-sized answer.

“It doesn’t happen overnight,” Cullen said. “You’ve got to train a lot and listen to your coach.”

Gaines also acknowledged the accolades of luncheon guest Debbie Meyer – the first swimmer in history to win three gold medals in three individual events: the 200m, 400m and 800m free during the 1968 Olympic Games when she was 16. She held 25 world records during her career.

Meyer is also familiar with a near-drowning experience.

“My 18-month-old daughter was sitting on the side of the spa,” she said. “I had my back to the spa and some little kid in the spa knocked her in. I did not know it. All of a sudden I hear her scream, and she is trying to hold on to somebody to come up. It is the scariest, scariest feeling.”

Miller, a former SCV diving coach, was compelled to open Academy Swim Club and establish the Aquatic Safety Awareness Program after a near double-drowning.

“My husband and I had gone out to lunch. After the babysitter left, I looked outside and there is a pile of wet clothes by the spa and vomit all over the deck of the spa. I asked my oldest son (age 3) what happened. He said the babysitter was on the phone when my 14-month-old toddler fell in. He said, ‘God just told me to go get him.’ So my 3-year-old went in to get him.”

As a USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Local Partner, Academy Swim Club has facilitated water safety events and provided year-round water safety training for infants, children and adults in Santa Clarita. Philly and his siblings began taking formal swim lessons at the Academy after Philly saw his 3-year-old brother jump into a crowded community pool unassisted, escaping the notice of the adults around the pool. After one swimming lesson at the Academy, Philly announced that he wanted to work there.

“I was 17 years old when I started swimming,” said Gaines. “It’s never too late to achieve your dream. If a child takes a swim lesson, that child’s chance of drowning is reduced by 88 percent.”

Jones agreed. “My mom was terrified of the water, but she went against the grain and got me swim lessons. You don’t see that in every family and that is what we want to change.”

“Kids have to know how to swim,” he said, “because they are going to get near water at some point. And as long as I have air in my lungs, I’m going to continue to spread this word because there is a cure to the drowning epidemic. Drowning is preventable.”

Beaming, Philly left the restaurant to return to Santa Clarita. “Cullen is the best,” he grinned, holding onto the indelible gold-medal memory of his lunch with Cullen Jones.

 

Gloria Locke is a Santa Clarita resident and producer of “SCV-Arts & Entertainment,” which airs Fridays and Sundays on SCVTV.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Aquatic Safety Awareness Progr says:

    Thank you SCVNews for an inspiring and informative report. Cullen Jones has taken his near-drowning experience to transform him into an Olympic star while saving lives through water safety awareness. Glad we have an SCV swimmer taking notes:)

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Friday, May 16, 2025
On Wednesday, May 14, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a proposal to eliminate costly red tape and litigious delays for the Delta Conveyance Project while maintaining environmental protections. 
Thursday, May 15, 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers trace their roots back to Brooklyn, New York, where they joined the National League in 1890.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Ready to embark on a global journey without leaving Santa Clarita? The city’s Celebrate event series is back with new countries to explore, featuring an immersive and exciting cultural celebration that brings the traditions, flavors and artistry of the world to the Canyon Country Community Center, at 18410 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Friday, May 2, 2025
As our city organization nears the presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget, we remain focused on fiscal responsibility, long-term stability and protecting residents’ quality of life.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
The city of Santa Clarita has long been a community that provides joy and comfort for our residents. That includes ensuring that individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to thrive, connect and reach their full potential.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
As Memorial Day approaches, nothing makes me prouder than to see the Hometown Heroes banners begin to pop up along our city streets.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1851 - San Fernando-San Francisquito-Eliz. Lake Roads become public highways [story]
wagon
1978 - Concert scene for "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" filmed at Magic Mountain [story]
KISS
The annual Santa Clarita Valley Memorial Day Ceremony will be held Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, in Newhall.
May 26: Annual Memorial Day Tribute at Eternal Valley Memorial Park
California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans and active and reserve military members by offering free admission to 142 participating state park units on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.
State Parks Offer Free Admission on Memorial Day to Members of the Military
1993 - Dale Poe, 61, developer of Stevenson Ranch, killed in car crash [story]
Stevenson Ranch fountain
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.
May 20: Saugus School Board Regular Meeting
The Los Angeles Dodgers Neighborhood Camps return to the Santa Clarita Valley Monday-Wednesday, July 14-16. These baseball and softball camps offer young athletes the opportunity to have fun, learn new skills and grow within the community.
July 14-16: Sign up Now for Dodgers Youth Baseball, Softball Camps
Get ready for an unforgettable night of cars, music, food and community spirit at WiSH Education Foundation’s Third Annual WiSH Upon A Car Showcase. This highly anticipated event will be held on Saturday, May 31 and needs volunteers for a variety of positions.
May 31: Wish Upon a Car Showcase Fundraiser Seeks Volunteers
Despite a devastating wildfire season that destroyed thousands of homes and scorched wide swaths of Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang released the May 15 Forecast for the 2025 Assessment Roll, projecting a 3.25% increase in taxable property values over 2024.
L.A. County Property Values Top $2 Trillion
On Wednesday, May 14, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a proposal to eliminate costly red tape and litigious delays for the Delta Conveyance Project while maintaining environmental protections. 
SCV Water Board | Support for Streamlined Delta Conveyance Project Approvals
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Assistant Sheriff Jason Skeen kicked off the 50th Annual Memorial Torch Relay Run on Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. on the front steps of the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.
LASD 50th Annual Memorial Torch Relay Run Honors Fallen Officers
The Castaic Union School District has announced the Castaic Middle School Spring Music Showcase will be held 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at Castaic Middle School.
May 29: Castaic Middle School Presents ‘Spring Music Showcase’
The city of Santa Clarita is rolling out the big screen once again for City Cinemas, presented by Henry Rodriguez State Farm, beginning Friday, June 27.
City Cinemas Returns in June with Blockbuster Lineup
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20, at 6 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission will hold a public hearing on the Newhall Avenue Mixed Use Project, consisting of 106 multifamily units and 4,000 square feet of commercial floor area.
May 20: Planning Commission Holds Hearing on Newhall Avenue Project
The Master's men's golf team member Jonathan Larson has been named one of five finalists for the 2025 NAIA Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Workday.
TMU’s Jonathan Larson is Finalist for Nicklaus Award
The city of Santa Clarita presents its newest art exhibition, “Beyond the Desk,” on view now through Wednesday, Aug. 20, in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall.
‘Beyond the Desk’ Art Exhibit at City Hall First Floor Gallery
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, has announced the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winners for the 27th California Congressional District.
West Ranch Student Captures First Place in District Congressional Art Competition
Mission Opera, the Santa Clarita Valley’s opera company, will close its seventh season with the timeless opera "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini.
June 13-15: Mission Opera Presents Puccini’s Iconic Tragedy ‘Tosca’
1938 - Brand-new Lockheed transport plane crashes in Agua Dulce; all 9 perish including 2 infants [story]
plane crash
The Los Angeles Dodgers trace their roots back to Brooklyn, New York, where they joined the National League in 1890.
Laurene Weste | Santa Clarita’s Decades-Long History with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Child & Family Center, in partnership with city of Santa Clarita’s Drug-Free Youth, invites local youth ages 11–17 to “Power Up” this summer with a free, high-energy event Friday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita.
June 20: Child & Family Center ‘Power Up’ Youth Event
Step back in time and experience the magic of early Hollywood at the Newhallywood Silent Film Festival Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25, at the Newhall Family Theatre and The MAIN in Old Town Newhall.
May 23-25: The Newhallywood Silent Film Festival
The Dumas-Stenson Thespians will present its production of "Connie" Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, June 15 at The MAIN.
June 12-15: ‘Connie’ at The MAIN
The community is invited to help local students in need as the 2025 Backpack Drive kicks off at the May Business After Hours Mixer, hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Backpack Drive for Students in Need Donations Accepted Through July 31
SCVNews.com