Fun in the Sun: Memories of Summer Swimming
During the summer, swimming enthusiasts of all levels can enjoy the beauty of the cerulean waters as they dive into a world of aquatic adventures. From professional athletes to collegiate swimmers to swimmers of all ages, the summer campaign offers endless opportunities for creating lasting memories.
Apart from physical fitness, time spent at the pool, building camaraderie, perfecting strokes and sharing laughter can forge solid friendships and create cherished memories. With fun practices, friendly competitions and exciting challenges, the summer swim season provides an exhilarating journey that will last a lifetime. So jump in, and enjoy the following memories shared with Swimming World:
GABI ALBIERO
A rising senior at the University of Louisville and a five-time NCAA finalist, Gabi Albiero makes the most of her summer by spending time with her teammates. When asked about her favorite summer activity, she said: “My favorite thing to do with my teammates is go to the quarry. We have a quarry about 30 minutes from campus that is so much fun. After a long Saturday practice, we get breakfast and spend the whole day floating on rafts in the water.”
Along with spending quality time with her team, Albiero finds that she and her teammates tend to make exceptional progress in the pool during the summer. Her favorite summer memory since swimming for the University of Louisville was at Nationals in Irvine, Calif. last summer: “Our whole team swam so well, the sun was shining, and the vibes were just immaculate! I also accomplished several goals at that meet, which always feels incredible. Living in Kentucky, it’s always a fun and new experience to race outside.”
DAVID CURTISS
A U.S. National Team member and CSCAA All-American, North Carolina State rising junior David Curtiss appreciates the time he spends with his teammates outside the pool during the summer: “My favorite thing to do with my teammates during the summer is the little things outside the pool. My freshman year, we would go to the beach over the weekend after hard workouts, treating ourselves to some relaxation after a hard week’s worth of work.”
Undoubtedly, long course training is significantly different from short course, and Curtiss explained that this transition stands out the most when beginning his training for the summer season. “Throughout the NCAA season, we initially practice long course, but not much as we progress,” he says. “I love to see us change this mentality as we prepare for World Trials and more.”
REGAN SMITH
A 2020 Olympic medalist and the 2019 world champion in the 200-meter backstroke, Regan Smith finds that swimming in the summer enhances her training and improves her mood. Her appreciation for the summer season grows in the warm, sunny days under the sun, saying: “I appreciate swimming in the summer because that’s when it’s fun to be a swimmer. You get to enjoy swimming outside and getting funky tan lines, watching the summer sunrises at morning practices, and just enjoying swimming more in general. Summer is my favorite season, making everything better for me.”
Smith also finds that training in the summer is easier because of the weather and the ability to spend time outside: “I find that training is easier in the summertime than the winter. The practices are not easier, but I’m always in a better mood during the summer and, therefore, I have a better, more positive attitude regarding my practices. I always swim my best in the summer.”
GRANT HOUSE
Having just completed a stellar college career at Arizona State, Grant House utilizes his summer swim season to improve in the pool and enjoy the much-needed time off from school. When asked how the summer season makes him appreciate swimming, House said: “It is a bit more isolated, especially at the collegiate level, and it sets you up for success in the next collegiate season. It’s also a time when people are less stressed with school and are able to focus their time, energy and commitments on a single task for themselves. You can learn a lot about other people around you, and many of your greatest friendships are formed in these challenging times.”
House has had his fair share of international experience and says that some of his favorite summer memories with Team USA were during international trips. “Some of (those memories) would be the days before the competition,” he says. “We would go out as a group and, as a collective team, visit certain areas or parts of the city that are unique and cool to experience in a foreign country. There are lots of laughs, lots of smiles and lots of great conversations with new people along the way.”
As summer approaches, swimmers eagerly anticipate the chance to hone their skills and compete with other highly skilled athletes. The season creates the perfect ambiance for building a sense of camaraderie and forming lasting memories that will stay with them for years to come. For collegiate swimmers united by their love for the sport, the summer months offer a unique opportunity to create lasting memories through friendly competition, personal growth and unforgettable moments shared with teammates and friends.
KENNY REED
A rising sophomore at Ball State University, Kenny Reed feels that the summertime allows him to enjoy his favorite summer activities and set aside time to physically and mentally relax: “Summer helps me appreciate swimming because the warm weather allows me to do activities outside of the pool, like running and playing catch with friends, that further benefit me physically and emotionally, as swimming can take a toll on mental health.”
When training during the summer season, Reed finds motivation through the amount of hard work his teammates put into practices. “I’ll admit that spending time in the pool a couple of hours per day when it is beautiful outside is not where most people would want to be,” says Reed. “It shows that people who show up at the pool and take time out of their day to improve themselves in the water is not found in many people.”
AINSLEY BENNETT
Ainsley Bennett, a Florida Southern College commit for the 2023-24 season, believes that the change of scenery and ability to train in different areas is one aspect that sets the summer swim season apart from others. When asked about her favorite swimming-related memory from the summer, she said, “(That was) when my club team went to Florida for a training trip. During that week, we trained in an outdoor, long-course pool, did dryland, and bonded. We had fun at the ocean and a trampoline park.”
The summer swim season provides swimmers more time to spend with their teammates. Bennett adds, “I love to go to morning practice and get breakfast afterward. Also, we have more time to hang out with each other outside of swimming.”
Casey McNulty is a 2023 Munster High School graduate from Munster, Ind. She will be swimming collegiately at Florida Southern College and plans to pursue a degree in multimedia journalism.