By Tiffany Morgan, The Dominion Post
MORGANTOWN — The Morgantown United Aquatic Club (MUAC) offers more than an introduction to competitive swimming.
The 21-year-old organization builds confidence in the young swimmers and gives them opportunities to make lifelong friends.
MUAC coach, J.C. Pettit said an aquatic sport is important to provide instruction on safety around the water as well as the competition in the sport.
“Not only does it provide an exercise opportunity, it’s also a light activity and children are exposed to the water in a proper environment,” Pettit said. “We’re teaching not only a lifetime activity but also an opportunity for them to realize their limits and to be extremely cautious in and around water.”
Pettit said there are 12 teams in the north-central part of the state and they compete alongside one another. The season runs through June and July, with a seven-week season and a final league championship will take place July 20-21.
Although there are not off-season competitions, MUAC provides programs for kids to continue throughout the year and grow their skills in swimming.
According to Pettit, last year’s turn-out was over 80 members, and Pettit looks forward to exceeding those numbers.
Registration for the club will begin Monday from 6:30-8 p.m. For previous members, the only things needed are paperwork and a $120 fee. New members have to complete a test lap that will be evaluated by the coaches.
Pettit said a facility for an international and competitive swimming is planned for Mylan Park.
“It will be the premiere of aquatic facilities in the state of West Virginia, all thanks to the involvement of the community in the Morgantown area,” Pettit said.
From a coach’s perspective, Pettit said it is fulfilling to see the kids develop and react to the coaches.
“To see these youngsters respond to the instruction they have on the pool deck … it’s very rewarding to see something click in their eyes,” Pettit said.
Pettit said he looks forward to seeing the “accomplishments these youngsters will make in a very brief seven-week period of time.
“It is amazing to see the confidence, the improvement in stroke mechanics, the improvement in their speed and endurance and the development in relationships they have with their teammates,” Pettit said. “These individuals come from all over the Morgantown area — they have a chance to meet people that they might not otherwise meet until later in life with this type of community event and they’ll build relationships that will become friends throughout their developmental years.”
