Wigo to talk to Channel League swimmers about shallow water blackout

The swim season begins Friday for local schools Dos Pueblos, San Marcos and Santa Barbara with the Channel League Relays at the SBHS pool.

Prior to the 2:30 p.m. start, swimmers from all five league schools will attend a 1:15 seminar on shallow water blackout at the school’s gym. The swimmers will watch video clips and listen to speakers talk about the dangers of doing laps underwater.

Wolf Wigo, UCSB men’s water polo coach, four-time USA Water Polo team captain and three-time Olympian, will be one of the speakers.

Former Dons star Nick Johnson played water polo for Wigo at UCSB. A year ago this month, Johnson died while doing off-season training at the SBHS pool. He was 19. Shallow water blackout is believed to have contributed to his death.

Wigo experienced shallow water blackout as a child and was saved by his father, Bruce.

The Wigos are working to spread awareness of shallow water blackout.