Athlete stresses fitness

Olympic gold medalist Peter Vidmar did a headstand atop a wobbly podium in the gymnasium at Corona del Mar High School and reminded teens of the value of physical fitness Wednesday.

“[Fitness] makes a difference in everything you do,” Vidmar said.

The three-time Olympic medalist visited the school along with members of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports on Wednesday to present the school with a check for $1,000 for being a front runner in its 2009 fitness challenge.

Each year, the Governor’s Council challenges students across the state to increase their physical activity.

Corona del Mar is one of 29 schools across the state that has been selected to receive $1,000 for encouraging students to stay fit.

To win the money, students in seventh-grade physical education teacher Corina Hendricks’ class kept journals tracking their physical activity, which can include walking or playing sports.

“It encourages them to be outside more, and encourages parents to get outside with them as well,” Hendricks said, although the teacher noted some students were disappointed time playing Nintendo Wii did not count toward being physically fit.

The $1,000 will go toward building a rock climbing wall at the school, she said.

Corona del Mar seventh-grader Erika Lynn-Green, 13, who stays active playing soccer and swimming, as well as walking home from school, said keeping the log of her activity wasn’t hard to do.

“It really makes you more aware of what you’re doing and how much physical activity you’re getting,” she said.

The school also is in the running for one of 11 regional awards of $5,000 worth of physical activity equipment.

To win the equipment, Corona del Mar students must stay active 30 to 60 minutes a day, at least three days a week for at least four weeks.

Reporter BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.