Ryan Lochte and Rowdy Gaines return to Volusia County to participate in a charity swim event
Volusia County – The Ormond Beach Family YMCA Aquatics Center will host The Rematch After Rio charity swim Event on Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30PM. This event will benefit the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA and the Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation.
The swim event will include relays in the under 10 group, high school swimmers from Daytona Beach Speed and Masters Swimmers from the YMCA ALL swimming against hometown Olympian Ryan Lochte. The swim event will culminate with a race between Charlie Lydecker and Ryan Lochte – reminiscent of a match up in 2009. Color commentary of all of the races will be delivered by three time gold medalist and NBC commentator Rowdy Gaines.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this exciting event featuring three of the most notable figures in swimming history, including two local legends,” said Teresa Rand, President & CEO of the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA. “The proceeds of this event will be an invaluable support to the work of the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA. “We are certain, with the support of our local community, this event will be a huge success and will greatly help the Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation in its mission to build the resources to complement the programs of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare, conduct behavioral healthcare research and community education” said Melissa Murphy, chairman of the Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation.
More about the participants:
RYAN LOCHTE
◆ THREE-TIME OLYMPIAN (ATHENS, BEIJING, LONDON)
◆ 11-TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST (FIVE GOLD, THREE SILVER, THREE BRONZE)
◆ TEAM SPEEDO STAR SINCE 2006
Ryan Lochte is known as “The Pride of Port Orange” and grew up swimming at the Port Orange Family YMCA. Lochte attended Spruce Creek High School and as a Florida Gator, was a two-time NCAA Swimmer of the Year, 24-time NCAA All-American, and 7-time NCAA Champion. He has become a transcendent figure in the Olympic world and an 11-time Olympic medalist. His seven individual Olympic medals are second all-time in Men’s Swimming. Ryan is the current world record holder in the 200 and 400 individual medley. He has been named both American and World Swimmer of the Year twice in his career (2010 & 2011) and has a total of 70 medals in major international competition including 45 first place finishes.
CHARLIE LYDECKER
◆HOLDS 3 U.S. MASTERS SWIMMING WORLD RECORDS
◆ INDUCTEE OF SMITH POINT NATIONAL LIFEGUARD CHAMPIONS HALL OF FAME
◆ WON OVERALL SWIM PORTION OF THE “ALCATRAZ SHARK FEST” IN 2007
Charlie Lydecker attended American University on a full athletic scholarship as a member of the American University Swim Team and holds degrees in Political Science and Business Administration. Charlie is Chairman of The Florida Birth Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), a Director of Gateway Banks of Florida, a board member of the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA, and he is a member of the Board of Trustees of American University in Washington D.C. He is a past Chairman of Futures Public Education Foundation, the United Way of Volusia/Flagler Counties, and the Boy Scouts of America in Daytona Beach. And has twice served as Chairman of the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce.
ROWDY GAINES
◆ 3-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST
◆ NBC’S OLYMPIC’S COMMENTATOR
◆ ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST ACCOMPLISHED OLYMPIANS
Rowdy Gaines is often referred to as “Swimming’s Greatest Ambassador.” He leads a busy schedule as the Director of Outreach for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and family man to four daughters. He travels the world passionately sharing his love for the sport of swimming with youth, parents, and coaches. Rowdy Gaines serves as a national spokesperson for the Children’s Miracle Network, HealthSouth, Disney, Rayban, Speedo, and John Hancock. He is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and is a sought after motivational speaker by companies world-wide. He’s a regular TV commentator for swimming and sporting events.
Tickets for the event will be available for purchase at the Ormond Beach and Port Orange Family YMCA starting on Friday, August 26th. Ticket price of $100 includes beer, wine and heavy appetizers.
Sponsorships for this event are available. For more information, please contact Deana Gammero at DGammero@vfymca.org or Cyndi Wysong at cwysong@smabehavioral.org