How ‘Fun, Fitness and Competition’ Allowed One Virginia Summer Swim Club to Do More with Less
The nation’s tens of thousands of summer leagues continue to be an entry point for many first-time swimmers regardless of whether they advance to more competitive levels or not. In such settings, millions of kids find a summer haven and a healthy lifestyle. Many programs are well-funded and benefit from outstanding instruction. Others offer a quality experience with fewer resources. Following is the story of one successful program where more was done with less.
A little history: The Southampton Recreation Association has two 25-meter pools, two baby pools, nine tennis courts, a playground, an ice skating rink, shady grounds and a very modest clubhouse with a snack bar. Located in middle-class Stratford Hills in Richmond, Va., it is a 1950s recreation center that pretends to be nothing more.
Coach Mike Peters. Courtesy: Susie Hudgins
What it does have is an unparalleled level of aquatic success. As a member of the 19-member James River Aquatic League (JRAC), it has won 31 of 61 league championships. Under present coach, Mike Peters, the team’s dual meet record is 101-1—a mark predicated on an organizational sustainability founded in a philosophy of FUN, FITNESS and COMPETITION.
Predating the formation of JRAC in 1962, Southampton had one of Virginia’s strongest traveling recreation association aquatic teams, including state record freestyle and medley relay teams. From 1962-71, the team won JRAC’s first 10 league titles. That streak came to a screeching halt when city annexation created neighborhood flight.
In the ensuing years, remaining children continued to flock to the association, “our second home,” says former and current resident, Bob Patterson. Still, competitive swim team results suffered. However, a galvanized parent base, the appearance of two charismatic head coaches and an amped-up swimmer base resulted in championship titles in 1982, ’84 and ’85. “It comes down to swimmers, coaches and parents—always has been, always will be,” says former swimmer, club and league president, Don Farmer, whose granddaughter was the team’s 2024 high-point scorer.
WHAT CHANGED
In the mid-to-late ’80s, a variety of issues and the emergence of a well-coached, USA-based summer league opponent relegated Southampton to second—and one year, even third—at the championship meet. That helped call the focus, mostly on winning, into question…and a realization that what was needed was more attention to the fun factor. As a result, a small group of invested parents began to brainstorm.
Compounding the problem was an omnipresent, ongoing lack of resources. Truth be told, SRA ran on a shoestring budget that “only covered the salaries of the swim coaches,” says Anne Nelson Morck, former swim representative and club president. “Looking back on it, the coaches could have made more at McDonald’s. There was no money for anything extra.”
Wheels began to turn, and a small group of passionate parents and highly motivated creative coaches coalesced to form the nascence of the FUN, FITNESS and COMPETITION philosophy and the entrenchment of a remarkable and successful sustainable culture.
A BEDROCK
Former University of Florida and Olympic coach Gregg Troy posits that “to inspire swimmers and test limits successfully, you have to create a group culture looking for certain goals.”
World Swim Coach Association board member and internationally-acclaimed expert on character and culture, Don Heidary, says, “For a winning culture to work, it must be sold daily. That means setting a vision, defining it, selling it to the team/leaders/parents/board of directors.
“Culture must be the anchor of the organization. The pursuit of a positive, empowering culture will not only retain athletes, but even when they are struggling with performance, they would not consider leaving the team or sport—as both become a life anchor.”
EVOLUTION
“Southampton had the fitness and competition part down, but the fun factor needed some help,” says Morck. “Even with our success, we wanted our kids to grow up understanding that life was about more than winning, and they could have fun along the way.
The fun began in a small, ridiculous way. Borrowing a tradition from a local school, one evening some mothers instituted the first lip-sync performance. Imagine former and wannabe cheerleaders rocking “Be True to Your Pool” to the music of Brian Wilson or a 50-year-old father performing a summer league rap number. Costumes, makeup, cross-dressing, a chance to showcase your alter ego performer: What kid—or adult—wants to be left out of that? Thirty years later, lip-sync remains an institutional event.
As a way to maximize and contextualize “fun,” the coaches created seasonal themes, often borrowing from popular culture (“Burn Baby Burn,” Mission: Impossible, Survivor).
“Our kids and coaches dressed the part at each meet, and the coaches’ enthusiasm was over the top,” says Morck. “Probably one of the best was a Survivor theme. The kids gained so much awareness about the world beyond our pool deck. These coaches came up with ways to connect fun, friendships and good swimming while pretending to be stranded on an island. It was remarkable.”
Other years, laps swum were rolled into travel education (Route 66 and Passport), while still others stemmed from the adventures of fictitious characters (Bucky Wilson, Babooshka) and concepts emerged such as “Banana Power,” “Pirates,” “Don’t Mess with the S.” In the ’90s, head coach David Stott and his assistants spent untold hours off deck to bring imagination and excitement to the fore. And the energy—and winning—transferred to the pool.
And to what effect?
Says 14-year team member, Paul Ream, “The enthusiasm, unity and motivation that the theme brings to the team each year sets us apart. Especially for the younger swimmers, this part of the swim team experience is unforgettable.”
Coach Peters says present day Southampton culture focuses on three overarching tenets: the relationship between older and younger swimmers, recognition of those who do the right thing regardless of ability…and—fun! All 8-and-unders are paired with a big buddy who is charged with getting to know them well, being social with them and helping with swimming tasks and at Monday morning “buddy practices.” Especially important is cheering for them at meets.
“For our kids, the swim team has been a fun place to be who they are and to make new friends. The big buddy-little program and the teenage coaches who come up through the team are especially great for the younger swimmers,” says parent, Elizabeth Magness.
Recognition comes in the form of bulletin board pictures, social media coverage and a special-keeper rubber duck. Peters, who has been at Southampton for 22 years, has continued the theme tradition (Disney, stolen mascot, etc.) by making humorous videos and using catchphrases to advance the season-long storyline…and always a visit to a regional water park.
The activities at Southampton have not gone unnoticed. Other JRAC teams have adopted lip-sync and similar thematic approaches to fit their programs. On more than one occasion, Southampton representatives have been asked to speak to other league swim team parents on how to better run their summer league program.
Southampton does not drift into Championship Week without something for everyone. Meditation (check), swimmers swimming the gauntlet while getting splashed by teammates (check), stroke fine-tuning (check). In addition, each age group has specific activities just for them. It may be a pasta meal, pancake breakfast, bowling, an afternoon at the movies or something else. And then there’s the evening before pep rally—a true tour de force.
Courtesy: Susie Hudgins
Eating bagels hanging from clotheslines, head shaving, hair braiding and nail painting are just a prelude to the main event—Jello wrestling! The arena is a medium-sized plastic baby pool filled with Jello. (Spoiler alert: If you try this at home, use sugar-free Jello. Bees love Jello with sugar!) One athlete from each age group is matched against a coach for two minutes of all-out combat. Yes, it’s messy, but true swimmer personalities are revealed in this setting reminiscent of Roman gladiators or the pledge-versus-coed battle in Old School.
At evening’s end, Southampton is ready to compete and loudly cheer teammates on.
A NEW WRINKLE
“One may wonder why all this matters,” muses Morck. “Our proof came from the mouths of those kids for whom we made the magic. At some point along the way, we gave our graduating seniors the opportunity to speak at the post-championship awards program. It is not unusual for a swimmer to participate for more than a dozen years, never missing a meet. The first year, we expected a few graduates to say a couple of nice words about swimming, and that would be it.
“Much to our surprise, they all spoke—even some who decided ‘in the moment’ to step forward. IMMEDIATELY, it became clear how much all the swim team activities meant. The departing seniors recalled events from their very early years that cemented their love for Southampton and the team. Mention of inside jokes coupled with lessons about dedication and hard work filled the air. Feelings of pride arose from swimmers, not as successful in the pool, talked about a sense of belonging, gratitude for treasured friends, caring coaches, helpful parents and fun. They spoke heartfelt words of gratitude for a childhood caught up in the magic of SRA.
“There wasn’t a dry eye among the parents—18-year-old boys and girls had tears in their eyes as they talked about how much they would miss ‘this place.’ They were caught in that space between childhood’s end and the excitement of what came next. It was clear to all that SRA would continue to be a touchstone moving forward.”
Here are some excerpts from graduate speeches:
• “From my first years at SRA, the key to our success has been obvious—it’s the undeniable determination of every swimmer here, combined with the loving support of their parents and friends…. The power that all of you gave me on Thursday when I got on the blocks and heard the whole Southampton family yelling my name was something that could not be contained, and I was determined to win for everyone there that day…. The characteristic determination instilled in every Southampton swimmer has been a key for me throughout my life. As we seniors leave, it makes me exceptionally happy to see that the legacy continues and that our swim team family’s life-altering experience continues to forge the best people I know.” —Graduating senior
• “Southampton is the most important place in my life. Every coach has made a huge difference in my life. They have impacted me and made me the person I am today…. There is something magical about Southampton and the people involved with it.” —Virginia Young
PARENT PERSPECTIVES
• “SRA swim team has been amazing and super positive. Besides being an outlet to hang out with other kids, it’s been nurturing and useful for instilling the idea that your own hard work can be seen in time improvements. It’s a model for life.”—Team Parent
• “Confidence and positivity. My daughter was terrified to swim the 50 fly—one coach saw she was nervous/tearful, gave her a little pep talk, and she finished her event absolutely beaming. One of the most important gifts you have showered upon these children is how you set the tone that allowed these kids to learn so much, unencumbered by the sort of self-consciousness that starts to kick in all too early these days and bringing out the best in them while preserving their childhood. What a lovely blend of creativity, kindness, zaniness and recognition you created. You get these kids in ways most of their teachers fail. I saw so many of them bloom in surprising ways.” —Tina Ennulat to a coach
ONE COACH TO ANOTHER
• “David, you did everything so well. You gave everything you had. You had that indomitable spirit and youthful zest for the impossible that always triumphed. You taught me so much about the possibilities of coaching, and you enlarged my outlook and thinking on the truly important aspects of coaching kids. The championships will go down in history, but the spirit and passion and creativity that you inspired will be cherished and alive with the children for a long time.” —Dave Holland (later a college coach) to head coach David Stott
• “I asked my kids earlier this week to bring the type of energy that everyone is so used to Southampton bringing to the (championship) meet each year…. I asked them to be more like your team. And for the first time, they brought a similar level of enthusiasm. The point is you made us all better—my swimmers better swimmers, my coaches better coaches, and my team a better team. And for that, I cannot thank you enough. For the last several years, it has always been about trying to emulate the standard of excellence in our league both in the pool and out.
“Your swimmers have always been such gracious competitors. Southampton represents the truest definition of a team. You always bring enthusiasm. You always bring your best effort. You always win and lose with grace. That to me is the measure of a true champion.” —James Watson to Mike Peters after his Westwood team broke Southampton’s 12-year championship meet streak
DOING MORE WITH LESS
“The good news for Southampton was the lack of money didn’t get in the way of the fun. I strongly believe that if we’d had a budget,” says former president Morck, “the culture would have been very different. The passion we felt would not have caught fire because things would have been easy. The parents had already bonded during those late nights working the meets and were more than willing to sell popcorn and cotton candy at meets and open our wallets when necessary to make any and everything happen. I developed friendships with parents who are my closest friends today. We knew how to ‘put lipstick on a pig,’ making our aging facility a magical place for our children. The parents had as much fun as the kids.
“It has been 18 years since I last felt the magic of a summer at SRA. The friendships formed are still strong—among both parents and kids. In fact, many of the ‘kids’ are now swim team parents, doing their part on the pool deck, within the organization, and for the same reason we did: a desire for a safe, fun place for kids to grow up. The late nights and open wallets were worth it, and I often think about how very lucky I was to be a part of something so special.”
Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach, golf and swimming writer. His critically acclaimed coming-of-age golf novel, “Too Much Loft,” is in its third printing, and is available from store.Bookbaby.com, Amazon, B&N and book distributors worldwide.