By Dillon Stambaugh
Young swimmers from eight Monmouth County beach clubs are hitting the pools in preparation for another competitive swim season.
The North Shore Club League includes Little Monmouth, Big Monmouth of Monmouth Beach; Seashore of Long Branch; and Ship Ahoy, Sands, Chapel, Sea Bright Beach Club and Surfrider of Sea Bright.
The meets begin on July 7, and are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. through July 28.
There is an age group for children ages six and under, and the oldest swimmers can be up to 17 years old. The league is comprised of beach club members.
“We have about 225 kids on the team this year,” said Sur frider Swim Team Head Coach Sherrie Cole, 45, of Atlantic Highlands. “That’s why I come back. I love the kids so much.”
Surfrider was the 2014 undefeated champions, and the home club of Olympian Connor Jaeger.
Young swimmers from eight Monmouth County beach clubs are hitting the pools in preparation for another competitive swim season.
The North Shore Club League includes Little Monmouth, Big Monmouth of Monmouth Beach; Seashore of Long Branch; and Ship Ahoy, Sands, Chapel, Sea Bright Beach Club and Surfrider of Sea Bright.
The meets begin on July 7, and are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. through July 28.
There is an age group for children ages six and under, and the oldest swimmers can be up to 17 years old. The league is comprised of beach club members.
“We have about 225 kids on the team this year,” said Sur frider Swim Team Head Coach Sherrie Cole, 45, of Atlantic Highlands. “That’s why I come back. I love the kids so much.”
Surfrider was the 2014 undefeated champions, and the home club of Olympian Connor Jaeger.
Like many clubs, they’ve bounced back from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.
“We almost didn’t have a season after Sandy. Luckily things got worked out and clubs got rebuilt and ever yone competed.”
Although the league is ver y competitive, clubs do have their priorities. Cole explained that each beach club swim team usually does one major fundraiser per year.
Sur frider holds an ALS Swim-A-Thon because owner Denise Lobiondo passed away from the disease. It is run by the high school seniors. Last year they contributed to the Joan Dancy & PALS (People with ALS) organization.
Despite the competitive nature of the league, teams still find a way to give back to their community and help a good cause.
“We do a lot of stuff as a team. Win or lose, we have an awesome time,” said Cole.
“We almost didn’t have a season after Sandy. Luckily things got worked out and clubs got rebuilt and ever yone competed.”
Although the league is ver y competitive, clubs do have their priorities. Cole explained that each beach club swim team usually does one major fundraiser per year.
Sur frider holds an ALS Swim-A-Thon because owner Denise Lobiondo passed away from the disease. It is run by the high school seniors. Last year they contributed to the Joan Dancy & PALS (People with ALS) organization.
Despite the competitive nature of the league, teams still find a way to give back to their community and help a good cause.
“We do a lot of stuff as a team. Win or lose, we have an awesome time,” said Cole.
