Lakes Region Wavemakers continue 35-year tradition of competitiveness

GILFORD — The Lakes Region Wavemakers Youth Swim Team has been swimming competitively for more than 35 years. Last fall, the team faced a huge obstacle when their home pool at the Laconia Athletic and Swim Club shut down on Thanksgiving Day. That did not stop the team. The parent board rallied for an emergency meeting and by the end of the holiday weekend, two pool locations were secured – one at the Gunstock Inn in Gilford, and the second at the Health Club of Concord.

Two pools allowed the team to continue offering five practices a week. Despite the obstacle, the team had a successful fall season and continued through the summer season with five team records being broken and a fourth-place win at the GSSA Championship Meet in July.

The Lakes Region Wavemakers is made up of swimmers between the ages of 6 and 18. The Wavemakers have an experienced coaching staff with Dave Gingrich as the head coach. The coaches focus not only on technique and building endurance, but also respect for their teammates and coaches, team building by holding events out of the water such as mini-golf and other team gatherings. Swimming at two pools has its challenges, but LRW is making it work.

The team will be making waves in the pools starting in September. The two pool locations now have a variety of swimmers coming from the Lakes Region and Concord areas and new swimmers are always welcome. For parents, both locations offer health club facilities to take advantage of while the kids are swimming. For more information on how to become a Wavemaker, and general Wavemaker questions, check out the website at www.lakesregionwavemakers.com or email Linda Verville at registrar@lakesregionwavemakers.com.

The Lakes Region Wavemakers have fielded competitive swimming teams for 35 years. (Courtesy photo)