Where in the world in China, Part deux....

Last Winter, I traveled and blogged extensively about my last cultural exchange trip to the Peoples Republic of China. Well, here we are about nine months later and I am set to return to China in a few days for another exchange. This time, I will be traveling with my good friend and Senior Coach for the Comets Phil Baretela and my brother Dan (a swim coach for Monroe Community College). We will catalog our travels and what we encounter here on this blog.

Where in the world in China, Part duex

If you may -recall-, last year, my trip to China was primarily centered in Wuxi, in the Jiangsu Province, with side trips to both Hangzhou (hang-joe) and Shanghai. It was during this side trip to Hangzhou, that I struck up a friendship with 3 people that would ultimately lead to this return trip. It was there that I met up with Coach's Wei Wei, Zuo and Jiang. In March of this year, we were able to bring the three of them to the Rochester, NY area to visit several local swim programs (including the Comets). This led to our return trip invitation this August.

For this trip, me, Phil and Dan will be staying primarily in the picturesque city of Hangzhou, China. Hangzhou is the capital of the Zhejiang province and is a city of 8.7 million people. It is located on the Yangtze River Delta about 180 kilometers (110 miles) southwest of Shanghai. It is primarily known for it's historical beauty and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in all of China.

You can learn more about Hangzhou from -wikipedia-

Chen Jing Lun Sports School and Hangzhou Sport Development Program

During my last visit to Hangzhou, I was invited to the Chen Jing Lun Sports school in Hangzhou by the Aquatics director Jiang Lian and Coach Wei Wei. After spending a day or so there, I forged a lasting friendship with the both of them and we were able to learn a great deal of information from each other. This relationship was cemented in March 2012 when Coach Wei Wei and Jiang were brought to the United States to participate in a cultural exchange here.

Coach Zuo, Tim and Wei Wei in Hangzhou in Dec. 2011 

As it turns out, Hangzhou is currently the hotbed of competitive swimming in China and two of the world's best swimmers have been discovered and got their start in Hangzhou. Current world record holder in the 1500 M Free and 2-time olympic Gold medalist Sun Yang was a member of a competing sports club in Hangzhou and current 16 year old Chinese swimming sensation Ye Shiwen. Ye took the world be storm in 2012 by winning both the 200 and 400 IM and setting new world record in the 400 Fr. Ye Shiwen started her swim career with Coach Wei Wei and he was her developmental coach until she was 13 years old.

We will be spending the week as guests of the  Chen Jing Lun Sports school and the Hangzhou Sport Development Program. We will be working with Coach Wei Wei, and Jiang with their swimmers in learning the latest techniques and developmental skills that are taught to young Chinese swimmers.

Ye Shiwen, 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist (200 & 400 IM)

Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics

Also while we are there, we will be guest of the the Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics. The university swim team, which is one of the most respected in all of China, will be working with Coach Zuo as he and his swimmers prepare for the University Games in Tiajin, China. We will assist him in final preparation and meet with University officials during our stay.

We will be traveling in China from August 27, 2012 through September 5, 2012. We will primarily be staying in the Hangzhou area, but will hopefully get to spend a little time in both Shanghai and Wuxi during our stay. We will be blogging out entire experience while we are there and traveling.