Right in his own stomping grounds, recently signed HEAT forward Udonis Haslem, Miami native and University of Florida standout, stepped away from the practice court and weight room to talk to kids at Marva Bannerman pool in Miami about the importance of learning to swim.

Wrapping up its six-part series of “Learn To Swim” pool programs at various locations all throughout South Florida, the Miami HEAT closed their overwhelmingly successful summer long community outreach initiative by treating the young swimmers with a special visit from a community-oriented Udonis, as well as an appearance from Burnie the HEAT mascot and performances by the high-flying HEAT Xtreme Team.

Throughout the past summer months, HEAT players Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Malik Allen and Vladimir Stepania, who was a top-ranked junior swimmer in his native Republic of Georgia, and Jerome Beasley, the HEAT’s second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2003 NBA Draft, have come out to support the cause and encourage hundreds of children to learn to swim. During a HEAT ‘Learn To Swim’ event in July, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe Martinez presented a proclamation to Miami-Dade Park & Recreation Director, Vivian Donnell-Rodriguez, in recognition of National Aquatic Week.

All Miami-Dade and Broward county graduates of the swimming program will receive a HEAT single-game ticket voucher, which provides free admittance to a HEAT home game during the 2003-04 season, as well as enjoy a celebration in their honor on Aug. 14, when a HEAT player and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz congratulates the new swimmers on their hard work.