Tiger Sharks Take Bite Out of Swim League

tiger sharksThe Republic Tiger Sharks swim team wrapped up its summer season with a 2nd-place finish in the SWMO Summer League Championships. Ten teams from public and residential pool facilities competed in the event.

Tiger Sharks coach Dixie Curtis says the team and its success has been seven years in the making.

“We had 15 kids the first year, 60 last year, and 75, almost 80 this year,” she says. “We’re growing by about ten kids a year, which we love.”

(See photos from the Tiger Sharks’ meet at the Republic Aquatic Center.)

The Tiger Sharks participate in a six-week season with five meets, including one at the Republic Aquatic Center. Each swimmer typically swims three events, plus one or two relayx.

“I swam on the team the first year it started, so it’s kind of nice to go from swimmer to coach,” says Curtis. “I like hanging out with all the kids, having them learn how to swim. It’s the only sport I can do, and it’s nice to teach kids what you can do. They’re just a joy to be around.”

Curtis says competitive swimming typically jumps in popularity after the Summer Olympics, but she sees children return to it, once they have a taste.

“These are kids who are trying out swimming,” she says. “Usually after a summer or two, they transfer to all year-round. We have a big increase in year-round swimmers.”

Most of all, in addition to the competitive meets, Curtis says it’s a good way for kids to pass their vacation.

During the summer, you don’t have school. They’re at the pool, they’re learning how to swim the correct way. They’re working on their endurance,” she says. “It’s a way to have healthy summers instead of watching TV.”

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