Tigersharks make swimming fun

The Wasco Tigersharks Swim Club is enrolling swimmers for its 2023 season. The deadline to register is Friday, May 12. The club is open to youth ages 4 to 18.

The club is a nonprofit organization that promotes a fun, family-oriented, competitive swimming environment that encourages young swimmers to reach their goals while building team camaraderie.

Andrew McCuan is the club president. Hwe recently said he likes working behind the scenes to ensure his coaches and staff have everything they need to make it happen.

"It's a competitive swim team," he said. "They compete against other teams in Kern County and swim meets organized by age."

Practice begins Tuesday, May 2, with the first meet on Saturday, June 3, at the Wasco pool at Barker Park, 1280 Poplar Ave. The county championships take place on Saturday, July 15.

The cost per swimmer is $300, with a $100 credit for fundraising. Each additional swimmer in a family is $200.

The club is not limited to Wasco residents. "We have a few Shafter families that swim with us," McCuan said.

He said it's an excellent way for kids to stay in shape and gain knowledge of teamwork and collaboration.

"It's not about winning, but self-improvement and having fun," McCuan said.

Youth must know how to swim.

"We want to make sure they can swim. As long as they can do that, we help them learn the different strokes."

He said the kids enjoy themselves.

"It's hanging out with friends at practice and meets. They like being in the pool in the summertime and being able to compete and win ribbons and medals."

This year it will be Esperanza Garza's first time as head coach, although she has swimming in her blood.

"I have been a part of the swim team since I was 12 years old. My younger sister is also a coach, and my mom is on the swim board. It's a family thing for me, which is really incredible."

She was a coach for four years before stepping into the head coach role when the position became available.

Her training philosophy is to try to help the swimmers grow and become stronger at the sport. She looks for passion and commitment to goals in a swimmer.

"They come out with positive mindsets at the end and grow to be best friends. They usually end up being proud of the swimmer they've become."

She said it's amazing to see their confidence grow and how they believe in themselves.

"It's awesome to see how they change in just a couple of months."

The swimmers take away life skills.

"First of all, it's about safety because it is super important to learn how to swim. Then it is about leadership as we see these students help each other out. Swimming is great because it teaches you to have that drive, so it applies to school. It can also be a stress reliever."

To register online, go to gomotionapp.com/team/recwt/page/home. For more information, visit Facebook at Wasco Tigershark Swim Club or Instagram at Wasco_Tigersharks_Swim_Club. For more informtion, call McCuan at 661-232-8531.