Jersey Shore (PA) Swim: USA Swimming Coming To Town

Andy Waeger, LHU and Haven Area Aquatic Club Head Coach (center), Joel Blesh , Associate Head Coach (left), and Kim Waeger, Team Director (right) explain their roles and vision as they bring USA Swimming to the Lock Haven area.

The sport of swimming is growing in Clinton County and the Lock Haven area in leaps and bounds. The opportunities for first time swimmers to collegiate level athletes are available in an array of experiences.

During the summer months, youth take to the Mill Hall Community Pool and compete in the Bald Eagle Swim League against other central Pennsylvania teams. As winter approaches, many of these same swimmers move into the Lock Haven Area YMCA to hone their skills and compete in the Central Pennsylvania YMCA Swim League. If passionate enough, many of these swimmers become Wildcats and swim for Central Mountain High School.

Lock Haven University competes at a higher level and draws swimmers near and far to compete at the collegiate level. This year, head coach Andy Waeger led the LHU women to a 16th place finish in the NCAA II Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving National Championships.

Waeger has had a passion for swimming since he was seven years old and his passion for the sport is still burning after his 6th year at LHU. He now wants to bring that energy to central Pennsylvania youth through USA Swimming.

This is the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States. USA Swimming promotes the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and education.
TO READ MORE ABOUT USA SWIMMING AND VIEW HANDOUTS FROM THE AUGUST 19 MEETING, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW.

An informational meeting was held on August 19 where Waeger explained the newest swimming opportunity in the area. “It won’t compete with the other youth swimming opportunities already in place but give swimmers an additional chance to compete at a different level,” said Waeger.

Agenda for August 19. Click on agenda to enlarge

The USA Swim program will be housed under the Haven Area Aquatic Club. “One of the benefits to the program is the great swimmer/coach ratio, said Waeger. “If the number of swimmers in the program increases, we will deal with it accordingly and bring in some college swimmers who want to coach in the future to help out”.

Waeger has a couple of basic philosophies that guide him through practices. He places a lot of emphasis on kicking. It is his belief that great swimmers have great kicking ability. As a result, at least a half-hour kicking drill will be incorporated to every practice. He also tries to make the practices as fun as possible. “If it is boring to watch then it is boring to do”, said Waeger. He keeps that mantra in mind as he designs the workout.

He also understands that many high school youth participate in many after school activities (other sports, clubs, etc) at certain times of the year. “I believe that this swimming program can work with any other scholastic endeavor the kids want to participate in,” said Waeger to a roomful of parents and swimmers. Understanding swimmers’ other commitments and activities, Waeger has scheduled training groups that practice anywhere from two days to five days per week.

The first official practice starts on September 15 at Zimmerli Pool at Lock Haven University. Although a tentative meet schedule was presented, a finalized version will appear starting in October.

If you or your athlete is looking to take their swimming to “the next level”, USA swimming may be the perfect fit.