Some students spend their summer lying on a couch, while others get up early in the mornings for sports practice. The Westover Waves swim team provides kids aged five to eighteen with a way to stay in shape and hang out with friends when school is out of session.
According to manager and mom Krisztina Szekely, prospective swimmers need only be able to swim once across the pool. The can check out the team’s facebook page, Westover Waves swim team, and let her know they want to register. Registration is May 9 and 10, with a fee of $60, but the team takes on new members throughout the season.
While the team practices four times a week from May 29 to July 28 swimmers don’t have to come to all the practices. In fact, they can come to whatever practices and meets they would like. Freshman Camille Cummings, who had been on the team for three years enjoys the laid back atmosphere and chance to hang out with friends.
“I get to do something I love with people I like. It’s a new opportunity to make friends,” Cummings said. Freshman and seven year swim team member Austin Bell also enjoys the social aspect of the team.
“It’s a fun way to hang out with friends and be busy during the summer,” Bell said. He says the Westover swim team is also good exercise and has helped him learn about commitment and leadership.
Since the team has such a wide age range, older swimmers sometimes help younger ones.In addition to four coaches, the team also has several junior coaches who are high school students that coach and swim on the team. All ages compete in swim meets on Tuesday evenings.
“[Meets are] really fun. A whole bunch of people are together out on the pool deck getting each other pumped up,” Cummings said. The meets can last anywhere from four to seven hours, according to Bell.
“It’s competitive, but friendly,” Szekely said. “We encourage sportsmanship within the team. It’s really being part of a team.” In addition to learning teamwork, she believes swimming is important for health and safety, as well as fun.
“It’s good fun. Children make a lot of friends,” Szekely said.