Jay Selnick (USMS Certified Official), Steve Roberts (Volunteer Coach), Lyn Moreno (“Let’s Swim” clinics) and Terese Butler (“Learn-to-Swim” program); Photo by Ann Lowry.
Karin Bivens
On Tuesday, April 16, the SaddleBrooke Swim Club held its End-of-the-Season Recognition and Awards get-together and recognized the various ways the Swim Club has been actively involved in serving the community and local area. Many swimmers from the club volunteered to help with swim lessons for underprivileged children in an event held at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center. Within SaddleBrooke, the Swim Club endeavored to get people into the water through the “Let’s Swim Clinics” (begun by Lyn Moreno) and the “Adult Learn-to-Swim” program which works with adults who do not know how to swim or are fearful of the water (sometimes due to a traumatic experience in the past). These programs were free to participants. Terese Butler, Laurie Loose and Ann Lowry certified this year through United States Master Swimming to teach the “Adult Learn-to-Swim” program. At the first clinic, there were eleven participants. In addition, a number of members certified to become USMS officials and volunteered their time officiating at area Swim Meets. Many Swim Club members volunteered to help with an Oracle School District FUNdraiser Triathlon to support the underfunded Oracle School District. Unfortunately, low athlete enrollment forced the event to be canceled this year but many members supported the Oracle School District on their own. In addition, the Swim Club sponsored a swimming event for SaddleBrooke TWO’s “Grandkids’ Days.” In the spring, the Swim Club once again organized the annual Easter Egg Hunt which is always a big hit for the children visiting here during that time. In addition, local projects have included the Swim Club purchasing pool equipment, lane lines, starting blocks, pace clocks, backstroke flags, all equipment for the “Learn-to-Swim” and “Let’s Swim” programs. In the past the SaddleBrooke Swim Club has donated to the dog park, Pickleball Club and softball here in SaddleBrooke.