American Record Holder and US Paralympian Lizzi Smith, who won silver and bronze medals at the Rio Paralympics, has joined Fike Swim’s growing team of professional athletes. The 20-year-old swimmer also has a streak of World Championships going back to 2013, where she won 2 bronze medals in the 100m back (S9) and 34pt 4×100 medley relay, and a strong showing at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships, where she won 1 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
Lizzi Smith (courtesy of Lizzi’s sister)
“As a Paralympic athlete, innovative thinking is a must! I’m always looking for ways to adapt how I train in and out of the water to maximize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses. I’m excited to have this opportunity to work with Fike Swim and use products like The Brick as an everyday tool for successful training! I’m proud to bring diversity into Fike Swim’s already talented group of pros!” said Smith.
After moving to San Francisco after the Rio Games, Smith will be entering the 2017 season with a new team, seeking to return to World Championships for a third straight time, and with the support of Fike Swim. “Lizzi exemplifies the drive and determination that makes swimmers such a special breed. A person with her handicap rules out this sport, but she’s a swimmer and we’re born for the water. Fike Swim is stepping up to help swimmers like Lizzi get the support they deserve.” said Fike Swim founder James Fike.
Going forward, Fike Swim is looking to add to its team of professional athletes as it expands its product offering around the world. You can get the latest news, product updates, and videos by liking Fike Swim on Facebook and subscribing to their YouTube channel. And you can get a candid look at Fike Swim’s journey to help swimmers SWIM DIFFERENT by following them on Instagram.
About Lizzi Smith
Here’s a short Q&A with Lizzi. A longer Q&A with post-workout meals, season and practice goals, and more can be found by visiting Fike Swim’s ambassador profile page.
Q: What is your favorite event?
A: “100 fly! It’s a tough event that sometimes scares other swimmers. I take a lot of pride in being a butterflyer!”
Q: How many yards per week do you train?
A: “My events are shorter events so I train lower yardage, high intensity. Depending on the week, I put in 36,000- 48,000 yards.”
Q: Favorite set in practice?
A: “One of my favorites was a USRPT-type set:
30x25s fly holding 15.5 or faster on :30
12x50s backstroke holding 32.2 or faster on 50
The set was designed to be holding your race pace and if you missed your time, you had to sit out. It’s a great challenge because I never wanted to be the one to sit out.”
Q: How did you get into swimming?
A: “I joined my first swim team when I was 7. Fifteen minutes into my first practice, I quit. The following season my parents bribed me with pizza to give it another shot. I’ve been swimming ever since.”
About Fike Swim
“We design products exclusively for the most difficult sport in the world. We unapologetically place swimmers on a pedestal. The rigors they embrace on a daily basis can only be understood by another swimmer and they deserve a company focused 100% on helping them succeed. Whether you’re just starting out or training for Rio, we stand behind you.”
– James Fike, Founder
Fike Swim Products was born when founder James Fike put a brick on top of a kickboard and transformed just another legs-only kick set into a total body workout felt into the next day. Since then it’s been our mission to create unique swim equipment with the single-minded goal of making you faster. We don’t sell toys. We create tools to help you reach your potential.
James Fike, creator of The Brick
About the Founder
James Fike has always had a passion for swimming. He started swimming competitively at age 5, ultimately training under Eddie Reese at The University of Texas from 1999-2003 where he had the privilege of swimming alongside some of the greatest swimmers in the history of the sport. James has continued swimming through all the phases of his life- from working as an investment banker, to getting his MBA back at UT, and back to working in corporate America. Finally, his passion for the sport led him to opening The Fort Worth Swim School, which teaches students of all ages and abilities and works to foster his same lifelong love for the sport.
Now, what started with a brick on a kickboard and a drive for always finding new ways to grow in the pool has become Fike Swim Products, a company dedicated to helping you Swim Different!
FIKE SWIM – DAY 1 MATTERS
Swim News / Swim Gear featured release is courtesy of Fike Swim, a SwimSwam partner.
