PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Swim Club celebrated its 60 anniversary on Saturday.
During its more than half a century of history, the club has trained thousands of swimmers in Olympic Peninsula, with several competing beyond the club with both Port Angeles and Sequim high schools as well as at the collegiate level.
The Port Angeles High School girls swim team has placed in the top 10 at state for 12 straight years, with most of those swimmers swimming year-round and getting their beginning at the Port Angeles Swim Club.
The club’s goal is to inspire each swimmer to pursue the best version of themselves, cultivating not only physical skill but also confidence, resilience and a lifelong passion for the sport. With the recent introduction of a master’s team, swimmers from ages 5 to 100 are welcome to improve their swimming with coaches helping them learn along the way.
Beyond training, it is also a competitive swim club that participates in swim meets sanctioned by USA Swimming. These meets are held both at the Shore Aquatic Center and throughout Washington. Some of the club’s swimmers qualify for elite meets like the Washington Age Group Championships at King County Aquatic Center in December.
During the past 60 years, the club has overcome some unique challenges — most recently, persisting despite the COVID pandemic and remaining active through a long renovation of the Shore Aquatic Center. Time and again, Port Angeles and the surrounding communities have demonstrated their support of the swim club through their support and generosity. Over the past two years, the club’s enrollment has doubled and is approaching pre-2020 numbers.
“We are focused on helping kids with self improvement, both physical and mental,” coach Jason Ridle said. “Our swimmers have opportunities to thrive in a fun and supporting environment. Swimming is a great option for kids who aren’t into ball sports or full contact activities, and want to develop a life skill that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
