The Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center (GVAC) Sea Dragons swim team was highlighted by USA Swimming as an example of a successful rural swimming club in its latest Best Practices Guide. USA Swimming is the national governing body for swimming in the United States.
The GVAC Sea Dragons Swim Team currently has over 30 members ranging in age from five to 18. Coached by Samantha Gray, they practice after school two to four days a week depending on their practice group. Children who are able to swim a full length of the pool without assistance or going vertical, are eligible to join the swim team.
As Coach Gray explains, “We are proud of meeting athletes where they are when they join the team. The team is built from the ground up. The younger kids learn different swim strokes, while older kids get lessons in how to hone competitive skills in free style, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. Our goal is to instill a love for the sport.”
This includes providing swim meet opportunities at all levels of competition. The Sea Dragons host home meets that are appropriate for beginners and also travel to invitational meets, including the WV State Championships, for swimmers interested in a higher level of competition.
The Sea Dragons will host their next home meet on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. Interested families are invited to attend or to observe swim team practice.
GVAC’s goal is that all interested children be able to participate regardless of financial constraints, and scholarship opportunities are available. For more information, call 681-484-7037 or email seadragons@gvaquaticcenter.com, or visit the team web page at gvseadragons.teampages.com, or their Facebook page.
