Coach Mark Rauterkus breaks down the I‑League, a new plan to bring swimming to every high school in Western Pennsylvania. He explains why it matters, how it works, and how you can get involved.

• The current gap: Half of WPIAL schools have no swim teams or aquatic programs.
• I‑League solution: Year‑round swimming, lifeguard training, water polo, triathlon and open‑water options for all students.
• Dual benefit: Provides competition for schools without teams while keeping elite swimmers in scholastic programs with all‑star meets and NIL opportunities.
• Tech edge: AI tools and new resources to train the next generation of swim coaches and instructors.
• How to join: Download the free PDF of Coach Mark's Public Policy Playbook via Crew Lab, grab the paperback for $26, and help push rule changes for more frequent scrimmages.

https://Read.SwimISCA.com to get the book.

Most communities already have more aquatic capacity than they realize. They have pools, schools, coaches, instructors, recreation departments, and community organizations. The opportunity is to connect these assets and put them to work.

In Episode #116 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, Coach Mark Rauterkus introduces The Community Aquatics Directive, a practical playbook co-authored with Coach Ron Usher, inventor of OtterBall.

The book presents ten pillars for transforming underused swimming pools into thriving community assets. The episode explores drowning prevention, learn-to-swim instruction, vertical swimming and aquatic fitness, youth retention programs, school partnerships, competitive pathways, lifeguard development, smarter scheduling, and sustainable funding.

Discover how better programming can expand participation, develop local employment opportunities, strengthen public health, generate revenue, and make existing aquatic facilities more valuable to the communities they serve.

GET THE BOOK FREE: Visit https://SwimISCA.com and join the International Swim Coaches Association team on CrewLAB to access the free PDF edition of The Community Aquatics Directive.

AN INVITATION: Coach Mark is also seeking foreword contributors for future editions of the book, with opportunities to feature the contributor's name on the cover.

A pool is a major community asset. Strong programming is what makes that asset come alive.

Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide | Episode #116

Coach Mark Rauterkus announces the launch of the new book's arrival: "Public Policy Playbook for Pittsburgh Aquatics & Recreation – Yinzer Edition."

Co-author is Ron Usher.

Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, episode #115 hits current events and then a view into the first book of 2026, Mental Skills for Young Athletes and how that can fit into your sports programs and teams. See the reveal on how to get a free PDF, and let's discuss key strategies to improve city recreation, arts, and youth mental health.

You'll also hear Mayor Corey O'Connor weigh in on new rec‑center partnerships and community initiatives, just before the book gets handed to him.

Mayor is in full agreement. Time will tell.

Overview of the Playbook: 10 pillars, strategic principles, meta plays, and actionable "plays." How to download the free PDF via CREWLAB (crewlab.io) and purchase the printed copy at SWIMISCA.com. Mayor Corey O'Connor's plans for expanding rec‑center hours, school‑facility partnerships, and arts programming. The three‑tier mental‑resilience action plan for youth athletes, based on Dr. John Hoog's research. Next steps: community involvement, feedback opportunities, and upcoming expansions of city sports camps and cultural events.

"The ball's in your court—action is the kicker that will transform our rec centers into life‑saving community hubs."

Barry is pushing for a group to form to consider local recreational needs in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada and has called for a meeting on October 1 at the local university.

In a similar front, but different setting, Mark Rauterkus, is pushing the reformation of the Athletic Reform Task Force in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Follow along as these stories unfold. None of us know what to expect and what happens next.

In episode #114 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we launch a new Substack too, 1Shuswap.Substack.com and give a boost to Barry Healey's efforts in BC, Canada. We discuss building an athletic reform task force, navigating government roadblocks, and a clever way to fund a new public park. We also take a quick look at the VASA trainer's retirement and its impact on swim training.

Learn:

• How to design and launch a city‑wide athletic reform task force from scratch.
• Strategies for getting provincial and federal sport funding when councils push back.
• The "case of beer" pitch that secured a $13‑per‑household‑per‑month park funding plan.
• Engaging schools and universities in community sports development.
• Updates on the VASA trainer's retirement and alternatives for swim‑ERG training.

ISCA Coaches Hall of Fame honored Ray Looze, Indiana University, in the class of 2026. Episode #113 show the tribute video.

The episode, #112, is a ISCA Hall of Fame tribute built around Matt Kredich, Tennessee swimming, team culture and an ISCA interview segment.

In episode #111 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, we do a video refresh with an interview conducted with Doug Cornish. His ground-breaking survey exposes many of the hidden cracks threatening swim coaches today. We begin to unpack and reveal why the sport's "passion‑first" model is no longer sustainable. Doug comes to the discussion with hard data that shine a light on the underlying causes, and he has concrete steps clubs must take to keep good coaches on the deck.

• Survey results: 38% of coaches lack a current contract, 38% have no health insurance, and 70% are on single‑year agreements.

• Why it's happening: a clash between the old "grind" culture and modern coaches/parents, plus boards that misuse nonprofit status and ignore reserve building.

• The financial fallout: no retirement plans, zero COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustments) adjustments, and coaches paying out‑of‑pocket for travel and basic expenses.

• Real‑world impact: personal stories like Doug Cornish's breakdown, career switches, and the growing exodus from the profession.

• Actionable blueprint: 3‑5‑year contracts, 2‑3% annual COLA, full health/retirement benefits, paid parental leave, meet‑day compensation, protected supplemental income, and dual‑purpose life insurance.

This episode presents an invite to the course, C.Y.A. as part of the Learning Management System of the International Swim Coaches Association. Check out all the results of the survey in the PDF in that lesson.

https://Read.SwimISCA.org/courses/cya

"What if a 6‑year‑old could upload a quick clip of a 10‑meter freestyle, and an AI instantly replies, 'You passed!'—issuing a shiny, blockchain‑ready certificate that parents, coaches, and sponsors can see in real time? Welcome to Zlix, the free‑forever swim‑passport that's turning splash‑offs into badge‑holders."

In episode #110 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide, Valentin Milkov shares the story behind Zlix, an AI‑powered verification tool for beginner swimmers. Hear how it works. He also discusses the platform's free‑forever model, certification monetization, and future growth plans.

Learn:

• The origins of ZLiX and Valentin's swimming and tech background.
• How the AI assesses video uploads to confirm skill progression with ~90% accuracy.
• The free‑forever user model and the certificate‑based revenue strategy.
• Customizable school branding and curriculum flexibility for swim programs.
• Upcoming features, potential partnerships, and steps to drive user adoption.

This exploration helps to shape efforts within the project of Coach Mark within the new book, Chapter Zero, Our AI Coaching Wizard, just published. Get it at https://SwimISCA.com.

Also see the AI tool discussed in episode #104 of Heavy Or Not to hear from Ali, founder of OrcaVision.computer.

Subscribe for more insights on AI, Coaching, Leadership and Sports Reform. Also follow at https://Substack.com/@rauterkus.

Full posting at https://WAFSU.org in the course for Season 3 of Heavy Or Not.

Val was a fast swimmer and was coached by at Indiana University by Kris Kirchner and later, while redshirted due to a shoulder injury, he assisted Ray Looze as a coach.