Emerging Swim Team Moves into Fast Lane

3/2/2006 - Gilpin County, Colo. - For some swimmers, starting a youth swim team can’t happen fast enough.  The notion of hosting a local swim team is older than the blue prints for the Gilpin County Community Center. Fortunately it looks like it’s really happening.

  A group of parents with young swimmers are working with Gilpin County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) to put the plans in motion for a Colorado Association of Recreational Athletics (CARA) youth swim team. They recently decided to start the team as a parent-run group rather than a GCPR program, but that decision still requires the two groups to work collectively on planning. So matters like coaching, funding, naming the team and swimmer registration are currently being researched and overseen by parent group officers John Dunham, Brian Repp, Kam Boenig and David Boenig.

  While the officers are busy working on how to attract a qualified coach and funding the operating budget, they are ready to start registering swimmers. The team, currently called the Peak-to-Peak Swim Team, will soon start signing up young swimmers ages 5 years and older, and are able to swim the length of the lap pool. They will hold a swim team registration party on Saturday, March 11, 9 am – noon at the Gilpin County Community Center. Swimmers of all abilities are welcome to take their place on the team. Registration fees have been set at $25 per swimmer if paid in full at or before the registration party, or $40 per swimmer if paid thereafter.

  Plans for an April fundraising event will be unveiled at the swim team registration party, as will team practice schedules, swim meet dates and locations, and hopefully the introduction of their new head coach. The summer swimming schedule runs June through August.

  Community members with any interest in swimming, coaching, volunteering, funding or organizing the new swim team can contact Kam Boenig, 303-582-5822, or email kdboenig@gmail.com.