South Florida’s Dara Torres, a swimming legend who at the age of 41 won silver medals in the 2008 Olympics, has become celebrity spokesperson for a local muscle recovery product.

Torres is now promoting Gold Medal Aminos, produced by Sunrise-based Fitness Nutrition. According to a statement from the company, Torres calls the amino acid complex, “The best product I’ve ever used.”

Torres recently had major knee surgery but is now training with the hope of qualifying for the 2012 summer games. Two years ago, at the age of 41, she already became the oldest female swimmer in Olympic history.

“Fitness Nutrition’s Amino Acid Complex helps me maintain my top ranking, gain lean muscle, aid in my speedy recovery, and helps keep my competitive edge,” Torres said.

Gold Medal Aminos are billed as providing “easy access to safe, pharmaceutical-grade amino acids to enhance (athletes’) normal diet and ensure that they get the most out of their training.”

But amateur endurance athletes and “busy individuals burning on all cylinders” can also use the product to sustain energy and burn fat.

The powder is mixed with water or other liquid such as juice. It’s available in three flavors: tropical punch, lemon-lime and orange sunrise.

These lionfish were captured in Biscayne National Park off Miami.

One year after the first Indo-Pacific lionfish was discovered and removed from Biscayne National Park, almost 50 additional ones have been removed. Lionfish are invasive, exotic animals with few natural predators in the waters off Miami. The animal feeds voraciously on native fish, especially members of the snapper and grouper families.

Local predators do include human beings who find lionfish tasty when prepared properly.

Government biologists believe the discovery of new lionfish, all of which were small at under six inches in length, indicates a new wave of invasion that is in its early stages. Young lionfish are being swept in with currents from the south, where populations are more established.

“It is unlikely that we will be able to completely eliminate lionfish from Biscayne National Park,” said Vanessa McDonough, the park’s fishery and wildlife biologist. “We do hope, though, that we can keep on top of this invasion and circumvent the issues associated with other South Florida exotic species invasions like pythons and iguanas.”

After the initial lionfish sighting in June, 2009, new reports were rare and sporadic. The recent sightings have occurred in many parts of the park, such as reefs, wrecks, seagrass beds, hardbottom communities and around dock pilings. Seventeen lionfish were removed from a single site.

The park is calling on visitors to capture and report lionfish, which are generally unafraid of divers.

But be careful. The mane-like assemblage of spines that give the fish its leonine appearance are tipped in poison that can cause severe pain, swelling, nausea, headaches and convulsions. If visitors cannot safely remove a fish themselves then they should note its location with GPS coordinates. Sightings can be reported at 305-230-1144.

For further information about lionfish in Biscayne National Park, including photographs, click here.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backpacking and Hiking ($17) is now on sale. Idiots of Florida’s trails, rejoice!

Written by Jason Stevenson, the former skills editor at Backpacker magazine, the book offers advice to people ranging from hardcore trekkers to strolling honeymooners and seniors.

Specific subjects include how to choose a trip and location; ways to train for a hike; what gear is necessary; how to live, sleep and cook meals on trails; tips for female hikers; and first aid.

Click here to learn where to purchase the book.

A South Florida company has manufactured a ball that bounces on water for use in games.

Greenacres-based Waboba, short for “water bouncing ball,” was created to provide new options in water activities. Only a few inches of water—on the ocean, a lake or a pond—are needed to play handball, tennis and other sports.

The popular “Extreme” model is lightweight, speedy and small. The “Blast” was developed for durability against pool decks and edges. The “Pro,” with extra weight, size and “bounce factor,” will be used in a league named the International Waboba Federation.

The ball retails for $10.

“One of the important things for us is to maintain the quality of the brand and protect our core constituents in the specialty surf, sports, beach and toy segments,” reports Jeff Newkirk, president of Waboba USA, “We’ve been internationally patented and we know that our product will outlast any competitor.”

On July 10 South Florida’s Ark Paddleboards and Board Sports Productions hosted the first annual Cast for Kids Stand-Up Paddleboard Fishing Tournament. The event was held in the waters off Ocean Point Beach Resort in Pompano Beach.

On a flat sea with calm winds, 18 anglers turned their paddleboards and surfboards into human-powered platforms for casting their fishing rods.

Roray Kam caught the biggest fish, a 10.9-pound king mackerel. The team netting the biggest fish was comprised of John Hartsock and Mike Hanstein who caught a 15.5-pound bonita. The team of Guy DeJohn and Eric Carter captured the most fish.

To view photos of the tournament click here.

Organizers said that final proceeds will go to Broward Children’s Center, which each year helps thousands of kids with special healthcare needs.

“This year our community’s support is more important than ever because every cent raised will help fund our efforts to provide early education, therapy and support services to children having special needs,” Broward Children’s Center CEO Marjorie Evans said.

The next SUP fishing tournament is being planned for the fall. For more information, contact Alexis Shaw at 561-276-2112 or boardsportsproductions@gmail.com.

South Florida’s Ark Paddleboards and Board Sports Productions are hosting the first annual Cast for Kids Stand-Up Paddleboard Fishing Tournament. The event starts at 6 a.m. on July 10 at Ocean Point Beach Resort in Pompano Beach.

Participants will turn their paddleboards and surfboards into human-powered fishing platforms in a competition to capture the largest fish.

There will be a final weigh-in of fish and an after party at the resort, including cash prizes and awards. A 14-foot Ark Paddleboard will be raffled. Spectators and participants can test out boards and listen to music.

Organizers said that final proceeds will go to Broward Children’s Center, which each year helps thousands of kids with special healthcare needs.

“This year our community’s support is more important than ever because every cent raised will help fund our efforts to provide early education, therapy and support services to children having special needs,” Broward Children’s Center CEO Marjorie Evans said in a statement.

Participants can preregister at Ocean Point Beach Resort on July 7 at 6 p.m. and save $10 off the registration fee of $60.

For more information, contact Alexis Shaw at 561-276-2112 or boardsportsproductions@gmail.com. Rules and regulations are available here.

The Spiegel Grove Off Key Largo.

A Wreck Trek Passport Program spotlighting the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail now awaits divers visiting the Keys.

Certified divers can explore the destination’s most appealing feature—a string of sunken vessels and artificial reefs—and be awarded for logging back-to-back wreck dives or dives on subsequent visits through Jan. 1, 2012.

Divers taking up the challenge receive an Official Florida Keys Wreck Trek logbook upon reserving trips with participating dive shops. The passport highlights nine shipwrecks from Key Largo to Key West including Spiegel Grove, Duane, Bibb, Eagle, Thunderbolt, Adolphus Busch Sr., Cayman Salvager, Joe’s Tug and Vandenberg, the Shipwreck Trail’s southernmost addition.

After one wreck dive in each district of the Keys is accomplished, divers receive a personalized collage of wrecks suitable for framing. Upon completing all nine wreck dives, qualifying divers are entered into a drawing for one of several grand prizes including dive equipment and dive-and-stay lodging packages.

Each wreck dive varies in skill level. Shops may ask divers to present a logbook or dive computer to be reviewed for air management skills and depth profiles from previous dives. Refresher courses are offered.

For more information about the Wreck Trek Passport Program, visit here.

Thrillers: 100 Must-Reads (Oceanview Publishing; $28) hit bookstores and e-tailers on July 5. The volume was co-edited by critic Hank Wagner and David Morrell, the author of First Blood (“Rambo”) as well as a co-founder of the International Thriller Writers organization.

Essays cover the “top” 100 thrillers dating from Beowulf to The Da Vinci Code.

Some of the novels were written by South Florida residents such as John D. MacDonald (The Green Ripper), Thomas Harris (Red Dragon), James Patterson (Along Came a Spider) and others who have spent time here.

Writers currently working the genre summarize and give insight into masterpieces such as The Bourne Identity, Dracula, Heart of Darkness and The Hunt for Red October.

Local thriller and mystery novelists Heather Graham, P.J. Parrish, James O. Born, Christine Kling and Brad Meltzer penned some of the essays.

To order a copy visit here.

Christ of the Abyss stands in the water off Key Largo.

Divers who want to merge their faith with their passion for scuba diving now have an opportunity. The Reef Ministries Scuba & Scripture Liveaboard Cruise is a liveaboard dive adventure.

Divers enjoy Christian fellowship, scuba diving and worshiping God on a weeklong adventure aboard the Aqua Cat off islands of the Bahamas. Activities include snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, star gazing, and island exploration.

“What makes Reef Ministries trips so unique is the Christian environment we provide through pre-dive devotionals, worship music and great fellowship,” said Tec Clark, founder and director of the organization. “Our dive trips are great for couples and families who would like to have fun with others who share their same values, without worrying about how ‘crazy’ the atmosphere can get.”

Reef Ministries is enhancing the liveaboard mantra of “dive, eat, sleep and dive again” by adding devotions and presentations to the daily activities. Leading these presentations are Frank Sherwin and Tec Clark. Frank Sherwin is science editor for the Institute for Creation Research and an avid scuba diver. Tec Clark is former national director of the YMCA Scuba Program and is a master’s of divinity student. He is a long-time Fort Lauderdale resident.

To learn more visit here.

Diveheart, a national nonprofit that assists disabled scuba divers, is seeking nominations for its hall of fame. The mission of the hall is “to recognize and salute individuals both disabled and able-bodied who have displayed an exceptional commitment to the support, promotion and furtherance of scuba diving for children, adults and veterans with disabilities.”

 The inductees announced at the hall of fame’s inception in 2009 were Jacques Cousteau, Jim Gatacre, Matt Johnston and Cody Unser.

“We felt that there needed to be a way to recognize the outstanding individuals responsible for promoting, fostering and helping to facilitate scuba programs for individuals with disabilities,” said Diveheart president Jim Elliott. “Their impact is tremendous as they help to change peoples’ lives. We are hoping that people will take a moment to nominate the individuals they know who are deserving of this honor.”

Inductees will be announced at the 2010 DEMA convention in November.

The hall of fame is also seeking members. Elliott stated that 100 percent of the funds raised through membership provide scholarships for disabled individuals who wish to pursue educational or career opportunities in scuba diving or related fields.

Nomination forms are found here.