Information meeting July 25 in Burnet for Tex’s Waves youth swim team
The Tex’s Waves Swim Team celebrated a successful Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Region 3 swim meet July 15 at Landa Park Aquatic Complex in New Braunfels. Tex’s Waves swimmer are Brynlie Tappe (left), who earned two fourth-place finishes; Hayden Brown, who earned one first-, one third-, one fourth-, and one sixth-place finish; Katelyn LaJoie, who earned two firsts, one second, and one third; and Julianna LaJoie, who earned one fifth and one eighth. Hayden Brown and Kately LaJoie earned a berth in the 2017 TAAF Summer Games of Texas on July 27-30 at the Edinburg Water Park in Edinburg. Courtesy photo
EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON
BURNET — Coach James Cole is well aware of the Tex’s Waves swim team’s history and background, and that’s one reason he’s working to drum up attention and enthusiasm for the program, which is based out of the YMCA of the Highland Lakes at Galloway-Hammond.
“This is a team that’s named after Tex Robertson, who did some great things for swimming here in the Highland Lakes, and we want to continue to build on that background,” Cole said. “Our goal is growth, and to grow it significantly.”
The Tex’s Waves team gives ages 6-18 a chance to compete in swimming. But Cole isn’t just looking for kids with a background in competitive swimming; he’s developing a program that gets them interested in the sport early and helps them grow.
Cole is hosting a informational meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at the YMCA, 1601 S. Water St. (U.S. 281) in Burnet, for kids and parents interested in the Tex’s Waves swim team.
The only requirement for kids to join the team is they must be able to swim 25 yards using the freestyle stroke and be able to do “some backstroke.” If a child doesn’t meet these two requirements, the YMCA offers a number of programs that can help them reach those markers.
For youths, swimming can open an number of opportunities, Cole said.
“It’s a lifetime sport, one they can do well into their older years,” he said. “And compared to many other sports, it doesn’t cause near the knee injuries and shoulder injuries.”
Swimming also can augment or support other sports in which a youth participates.
“It really helps them in their other sports,” said Erica Melton, YMCA of the Highland Lake program coordinator. “It’s a good activity that will give them advantages in just about every other sport out there.”
The Tex’s Waves team is also a year-round program thanks to the YMCA of the Highland Lakes’ indoor Tex Robertson Aquatic Center.
As for Cole’s background, he began swimming when he was 12 in the Boy Scouts, but two years later, he was breaking national records. He’s a former national record holder, collegiate swimmer, and longtime coach.
“Just come out and hear what we have to say,” he urged parents and their children.
There are no obligations. The swim team is open to YMCA members and non-members alike.
Call Cole at (512) 756-6180 for more information.