The CHS Swim & Dive season is underway! One of the team’s traditions is to break into groups called swim families. A swim family is composed of two to three captains and anywhere from two to six swimmers from each grade. These families help to foster more personal connections between teammates of all grades so that everyone stays informed and engaged on the team.
It’s more than just the community that made this experience special for swimmer Kelton Bragg (‘27).
“[The captains, who draft and ‘parent’ the families,] make group chats and clean up after meets. We can also get free credit hours when they plan events which is very helpful. This makes it easier to get the hours for a Varsity letter,” said Bragg.
Madison Shields (‘28) enjoyed having swim parents who helped to mentor her last season.
“Mallory and Garrett, [my swim parents last year,] planned activities and parties to get everyone involved, which makes it a lot more enjoyable to be on the team. [Being a part of the swim family] made me feel very welcome; I had older friends that could help lead me,” said Shields.
Kazuki Wells (‘27) enjoyed forming friendships with all of the teammates in his family.
“My favorite part of swim families is the fact that I get to connect with my friends more deeply. It gives me a vessel in which I can return and encourage people alongside me,” said Wells.
The Swim & Dive coaches left it up to the captains to decide who went into each family.
“[The captains] took turns picking from each grade level so that everything was divided up evenly,” said Ella King (‘26)
While it may be done by the captains and not the coaches, Coach Lorri Reynolds shared how swim families originated.
“It was probably about 2021 — just after coming back from COVID — when one of the captains had the idea to start [swim families] as a way to corral the large numbers [of swimmers]. It was thought of to make such a large team feel connected where everyone feels like they belong,” said Coach Reynolds.
Coach Reynolds wanted to see the captains get their families more involved and active this year.
“[I would like to see the captains] get to know each and every one of the swimmers in their family so that everyone feels seen,” said Coach Reynolds. “Actually planning events would make everyone feel like part of it, too.”
Not only did the coaches find this tradition helpful in bonding the team, but the captains enjoyed all of the aspects as well. Whether it was a hike, Secret Santa, or a dinner, the captains enjoyed the leadership opportunities and the community they created.
“I really loved hosting the Christmas party last year. Doing more physical activities as a family is very fun too because it makes sure everyone is active as a member inside and outside of the pool,” said Garrett Peters (‘26).
As the CHS Bullsharks continued their season, and their families met for the first time, it seems like swimmers, captains, and coaches were hopeful for what swim families are going to bring to the pool this year!
