Next up: Rome 2009 - FINA World Championships of Swimming!

I predict the next flurry of news will be speculation as to who will swim and who won't: Will we see Laure Manaudou, Dara Torres, or Amanda Beard swim or are they finished? Will Michael Phelps start swimming more niche events or will he try for another 8 medals? Will we see a Phelps/Cavic rematch in the 100 'fly? Will swim suit rules change due to pressure within the swimsuit industry?

I am confident that we will see explosive growth in our sport in the next couple of years due to the "Phelps/Torres effect" and more media representation by way of Universal Sports and websites like Go Swim, Floswimming, and our reliable standby, Swimming World.

I know I will be swimming faster so my advice to you is to swim throughout the Fall and Winter and enjoy every second of it. Remember, if it is raining, you can't get any wetter. If it is snowing, who can resist an 80-degree-pool? Thus, when Short course yards season coincides with World Championships you will be fast, inspired, and ready to turn-and-burn and go hydrodynamic!