By Tyler Maheu, Staff Sportswriter
The Woodstock Recreation Center is offering a new swim program this summer that aims to prepare the next generation of swimmers.
The Introduction to Swim Team will be taught by coaches Lizzie Coehlo and Sarah Reiter and will focus on kids ages 5 to 12. According to Woodstock Recreation Center Executive Director Gail Devine, the program is the center’s first-ever attempt at this type of class and aims to meet a perceived need in the community.
“It was created in direct response to families seeking a more accessible, low-pressure alternative to traditional league swimming,” she said in email correspondence. “The idea grew out of conversations with parents who wanted children to learn proper stroke technique and experience the fun and teamwork of swim meets without the significant barriers that previously limited participation, including the need for certified officials, large volunteer requirements, extensive data entry, added staffing, and rising league fees.”
The skills-based program will teach children the four competitive strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle) while displaying proper technique. The season will culminate in a “fun meet” where kids can show off their progress.
“By shifting to an in-house introduction program, we remove these obstacles while keeping the parts families value most: skill development, confidence building, teamwork, and a fun end-of-session meet,” she said. “Our goal is to provide a positive and accessible swim team experience that welcomes new swimmers, supports returning swimmers, and fits the needs of our community.”
Both coaches are local parents who stepped up to lead the program. Coehlo is a mom of four who grew up competing in swimming and water polo. In college, she coached a swim team and taught summer lessons. “She is excited to teach kids new swimming skills while helping swimmers build confidence, develop a love for the sport, and have a positive team experience this summer,” said Devine.
Reiter is another local mom who discovered her love for the sport at age 6. She then went on to compete at the Division I collegiate level and internationally. According to Devine, she has traveled the United States coaching teams and is excited to pass on her skills and love for swimming to Woodstock’s youth.
Learning to swim at a young age is not only fun but can also reduce the chance of water-based injury or harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. With drowning being the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death for ages 5 to 14, swim lessons can save a life.
“Learning to swim at a young age is vital not only for safety but also for building confidence, physical literacy, and lifelong comfort in and around the water,” said Devine, “making this introductory program an important addition to Woodstock’s youth offerings.”
The program, which runs from July 7 to July 31, will hold practices on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 5-6 p.m. Enrollment fees are $140 for residents and $160 for non-residents. Early turnout has been promising, with 26 children already signed up. According to the Woodstock Recreation Center website, the first 25 enrolled will receive a swim cap on the first day of practice, with a second order of caps now being placed since the program has surpassed 25. Families can still enroll at woodstockvt.com.
