We love our water here in Minnesota. We are home to 11,842 lakes and have more miles of shoreline than California, Hawaii and Florida combined. Many of us look back nostalgically on childhoods spent swimming in lakes, rivers and recreational pools.
With a rich swimming culture, our state has become a hotbed for nurturing swimming talent among young people. Let’s examine how swimming sets Minnesota youth up for success and the best swim club opportunities in your area.
Top-Notch Swimming Facilities
Whether you prefer the man-made Elk Creek Swim Pond in Maple Grove, Bunker Beach in Coon Rapids or the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center at the U of M, there are hundreds of great places to swim recreationally and competitively in Minnesota.
Many middle and high schools throughout the state have excellent indoor swimming pools, which allow aspiring young swimmers to train year-round. That means even during our brutal winters, kids can still find community and get great exercise in the pool.
Community Support
Minnesota is all about community, and our youth swim teams play a pivotal role in nurturing young talent. Parents, coaches and volunteers actively support young swimmers at practice, during swim meets and beyond. To foster healthy competition in kids and inspire them to dream big, you can’t go wrong with a community-based, competitive swim club.
Lifelong Physical, Mental and Emotional Health
Not only does swimming improve strength, flexibility, endurance and cardiovascular health, it also reduces stress and anxiety while boosting memory, motor skills, sleep and grades.
Additionally, a supportive swim club can help kids learn the value of discipline, perseverance, teamwork and sportsmanship. These values extend beyond the pool – nurturing your child’s talent on the swim team lays the groundwork for lifelong success.
Swim Club Opportunities in Minnesota
In addition to the local swimming opportunities through your child’s school and community, Minnesota is home to the Midwest Regional Swim Meet.
The meet takes place over one weekend at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center, and any swimmers with qualifying times are permitted to enter. All events are timed and the meet is conducted under the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations.
If your kid already participates on a swim team, this is a great chance for them to show their stuff. There are opportunities for them to win awards, but above all, the event is designed for kids to work hard and have fun.
Discover a Youth Swim Club in Your Area
Ready to help your child build character, find a supportive community and accomplish their dreams in the pool? MYAS can help you find youth swim team opportunities at your nearest school, park or camp. Contact us today to get started.
