Print
E-mail
Comment
From the WAC to the Nat
  
|
By SUSAN VREELAND-WENDT
The Woodlands Swim Team, The Woodlands Masters Swim Team and the Marlins summer league swim teams will soon be transitioning their home base from the Woodlands Athletic Club to the new CISD Natatorium.
The teams will share the facility with the five Conroe Independent School District high school swim, dive and water polo teams, as well as other aquatic programs. Located behind the Portofino Shopping Center in Shenandoah, the new state-of-the-art aquatics center was completed just in time for the 2008-2009 school year.
“Conroe ISD is excited that the TWST and WMST programs have a new home in the CISD Natatorium,” said Don Stockton, superintendent of CISD. “We are thrilled to form a partnership that will continue to support swimming and diving in Montgomery County.”
“TWST and WMST have a great working relationship, which benefits all aquatics in our area,” said Tom Boak, who is the founder of WMST. “This same spirit of cooperation exists with Conroe ISD and the City of Shenandoah. All of this bodes well for the future of aquatics in south Montgomery County.”
The Natatorium’s many amenities include a 67-meter by 25-yard pool that accommodates up to 25 swimming lanes across its width for short-course training or eight lanes length-wise for long-course, along with a diving well featuring four one-meter and two three-meter diving boards.
With a consistent seven-foot depth, the pool contains almost a million gallons of what is considered “fast water.”
The Natatorium has two digital scoreboards: the main 15-foot by 26-foot full-color board with instant replay capabilities, and a second scoreboard with four flat screen televisions that can also show instant replays.
The Natatorium will seat 1,100 spectators and 900 swimmers can fit on the pool deck. Proposed future plans include the addition of a 50-meter outdoor pool adjacent to the Natatorium. The addition will provide room for future growth, exceeding the maximum of 25 swimming lanes afforded by the Natatorium’s main pool.
There is also wireless Internet connectivity throughout the facility.
“This swimming facility far exceeds what is required for high school competitions and will be larger than most college facilities,” TWST board of directors President Pat Norris said. “Dr. Don Stockton and Conroe ISD had the vision to combine two complementary venues that share parking and locker facilities: the Natatorium and Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah. Natatorium Coordinator for Conroe ISD Sam Fruia has done an excellent job of marketing the use of the facility to all aquatic sports in the community.”
To launch the Natatorium for major competition, Fruia submitted bids with the University Interscholastic League to host a regional swim meet for 2009-2010, and there are 15 invitational meets scheduled.
“The great advantage of hosting these large meets is the business it will bring to local hotels, restaurants, stores and gas stations,” Fruia said. “An added bonus is the fact that the Natatorium is opening in an Olympic year when the sport of swimming is infused with excitement because of feats like Michael Phelps’ unprecedented eight gold medals. Expectations are for the sport of swimming to become increasingly more popular, growing our local area swim team memberships and maximizing the use of our new natatorium.”
About TWST — A Winning Tradition Continues
The Woodlands Swim Team, recognized for its rich tradition of swimming excellence, is transitioning to a new era in its 33-year history.
Since 1975, the Woodlands Athletic Club, owned and operated by The Woodlands Development Company, has been the swim club’s only home and training center with its heated indoor 25-yard pool and heated outdoor 50-meter pool.
During this period, the WAC and TWST have had a tremendously successful partnership. A top quality swimming program at the WAC was part of George Mitchell’s original vision for The Woodlands community. Realizing the benefits of an association with a top flight swim team, TWDC and its predecessors provided the facilities, coaches, and initial support of $50,000 annually in the first few years of operation. The club employed the coaches, lifeguards and maintenance crew for all its aquatic needs.
Now, the end of an era approaches, the WAC will be closing its doors at the end of this year. Over its three-decade history, many swim meets have been hosted at the WAC that benefited the community. For instance, the 2007 USMS National Long Course Championship Meet (co-hosted by WMST and TWST) had an economic benefit of $2.5 million for The Woodlands area over a period of four days.
TWST, a nationally ranked age group team with members ranging in age from 3-18 years, is the major feeder program for the surrounding area high school swim teams, which have all been very successful. When swimming families are moving to the Houston area, TWST directly attracts those families to The Woodlands.
Since 1983, TWST has achieved the following:
Not only does TWST provide a healthy workout for children and students with trained coaches and a competitive swimming program, but it also provides many social opportunities in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Woodlands Swimming — Future is Brighter than Ever
TWST has signed the Conroe ISD Natatorium usage agreement, which confirms its role as a charter member of the new facility. This allows TWST preferential rates, better terms, and choice pool schedules.
Many TWST swimmers will begin swimming at the new pool this month. TWST already has a busy schedule for next season, hosting seven meets at its new home. The swim team is looking forward to operating in a climate-controlled environment where coaches and swimmers do not have to worry about weather conditions.
“We are positioning our team for growth,” said Norris, TWST’s president. “Our parent organization, USA Swimming, has seen a 25 percent increase in the number of swimmers in club programs each Olympic year. This year, with high profile swimmers and a lot of prime time television coverage, the increase could be even greater.”
“The Woodlands Swim Team’s future is brighter than ever before,” said Tim Bauer, TWST’s head coach. “Our mission is to continue our winning tradition, both in and out of the water. We want to develop our swimmers to their fullest potential and make an impact on our community.”
If you think your child could be the next Michael Phelps or Katie Hoff and you would like to know more about TWST, visit http://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=twstgs.
The Woodlands Swim Team is incorporated in the state of Texas as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Founded in 1987, The Woodlands Masters program was painstakingly built through hard work, a love for swimming and a few stubborn streaks among its members.
The story behind the success of the team starts with Tom and Carolyn Boak, long-time residents of The Woodlands, who swim, compete and coach together.
Tom Boak, a home builder by trade but a team builder by nature, credits swimming with changing his life. “Not only did I meet Carolyn at a U.S. Masters Swimming convention back in the late 1980’s, I also found a healthier and more positive way to live through swimming.”
The team has come a long way since its rough and tumble start, when Boak and a handful of other local swimmers founded the team at the WAC. Until 1987, the swimmers were part of Lone Star Masters, a team made up of competitors from across the State of Texas.
“That was fine, but the people in The Woodlands thought it would be fun to have their own team made up of the people they saw everyday,” Carolyn Boak said.
As recently as 2001, WMST was struggling with a dwindling membership, conducting only four workouts a week, and maintaining a revolving door for coaches. In 2002, the team went through a dramatic makeover when the Boaks and some other dedicated members decided to become their own coaches, adding more workouts and forging a closer relationship with TWST. They also started competing in national and international meets.
Since 2002, the membership has climbed to more than 250, and the number of weekly workouts has gone from a handful to more than 14. In 2006, more than 40 members competed in the FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) World Championship at Stanford University.
Moving from the WAC to the Nat is somewhat bittersweet for Boak and WMST members, because of all the fond memories they have of their long history there.
But the real strength of the program lies in the camaraderie between swimmers, who describe the team as family. In fact, the team’s membership includes 20 couples, two sets of brothers and sisters, six sets of mothers and daughters, one set of in-laws, one father and son, one father and daughter and three families (one with three generations).
“For Tom and me, we’re both close to our regular families, but this is like a third family,” said Carolyn Boak, who is known to fellow members as the “Sergeant” because of her no-nonsense attitude.
The team has come a long way since Tom Boak met Dick Smith, an Olympic coach and consultant to the WAC back in 1973. Boak was intimately involved in the planning and programming of the WAC, and he and Smith became fast friends.
“Dick was the one who urged me to swim laps to get in shape back in the 70’s,” Boak said. “I haven’t stopped since.”
Achievements of The Woodlands Masters Swim Team:
For more information about WMST, visit www.wmst.net.
Woodlands Aquatic Community, Inc., Established
TWST and WMST came together to organize Woodlands Aquatic Community, Inc., to combine their talents and common interests to seek viable solutions for pool space knowing that the WAC would be closing in 2008.
The WACI board has begun discussions with the City of Shenandoah and CISD to explore a partnership to add more pool space to the new natatorium complex. One of the main tasks of this WACI board is to develop a productive relationship with the City of Shenandoah and CISD to provide reliable and experienced aquatic program resources to call upon for assistance in the planning meetings, and to ensure that the Natatorium expansion project proceeds as expected.
The teams will share the facility with the five Conroe Independent School District high school swim, dive and water polo teams, as well as other aquatic programs. Located behind the Portofino Shopping Center in Shenandoah, the new state-of-the-art aquatics center was completed just in time for the 2008-2009 school year.
“Conroe ISD is excited that the TWST and WMST programs have a new home in the CISD Natatorium,” said Don Stockton, superintendent of CISD. “We are thrilled to form a partnership that will continue to support swimming and diving in Montgomery County.”
“TWST and WMST have a great working relationship, which benefits all aquatics in our area,” said Tom Boak, who is the founder of WMST. “This same spirit of cooperation exists with Conroe ISD and the City of Shenandoah. All of this bodes well for the future of aquatics in south Montgomery County.”
The Natatorium’s many amenities include a 67-meter by 25-yard pool that accommodates up to 25 swimming lanes across its width for short-course training or eight lanes length-wise for long-course, along with a diving well featuring four one-meter and two three-meter diving boards.
With a consistent seven-foot depth, the pool contains almost a million gallons of what is considered “fast water.”
The Natatorium has two digital scoreboards: the main 15-foot by 26-foot full-color board with instant replay capabilities, and a second scoreboard with four flat screen televisions that can also show instant replays.
The Natatorium will seat 1,100 spectators and 900 swimmers can fit on the pool deck. Proposed future plans include the addition of a 50-meter outdoor pool adjacent to the Natatorium. The addition will provide room for future growth, exceeding the maximum of 25 swimming lanes afforded by the Natatorium’s main pool.
There is also wireless Internet connectivity throughout the facility.
“This swimming facility far exceeds what is required for high school competitions and will be larger than most college facilities,” TWST board of directors President Pat Norris said. “Dr. Don Stockton and Conroe ISD had the vision to combine two complementary venues that share parking and locker facilities: the Natatorium and Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah. Natatorium Coordinator for Conroe ISD Sam Fruia has done an excellent job of marketing the use of the facility to all aquatic sports in the community.”
To launch the Natatorium for major competition, Fruia submitted bids with the University Interscholastic League to host a regional swim meet for 2009-2010, and there are 15 invitational meets scheduled.
“The great advantage of hosting these large meets is the business it will bring to local hotels, restaurants, stores and gas stations,” Fruia said. “An added bonus is the fact that the Natatorium is opening in an Olympic year when the sport of swimming is infused with excitement because of feats like Michael Phelps’ unprecedented eight gold medals. Expectations are for the sport of swimming to become increasingly more popular, growing our local area swim team memberships and maximizing the use of our new natatorium.”
About TWST — A Winning Tradition Continues
The Woodlands Swim Team, recognized for its rich tradition of swimming excellence, is transitioning to a new era in its 33-year history.
Since 1975, the Woodlands Athletic Club, owned and operated by The Woodlands Development Company, has been the swim club’s only home and training center with its heated indoor 25-yard pool and heated outdoor 50-meter pool.
During this period, the WAC and TWST have had a tremendously successful partnership. A top quality swimming program at the WAC was part of George Mitchell’s original vision for The Woodlands community. Realizing the benefits of an association with a top flight swim team, TWDC and its predecessors provided the facilities, coaches, and initial support of $50,000 annually in the first few years of operation. The club employed the coaches, lifeguards and maintenance crew for all its aquatic needs.
Now, the end of an era approaches, the WAC will be closing its doors at the end of this year. Over its three-decade history, many swim meets have been hosted at the WAC that benefited the community. For instance, the 2007 USMS National Long Course Championship Meet (co-hosted by WMST and TWST) had an economic benefit of $2.5 million for The Woodlands area over a period of four days.
TWST, a nationally ranked age group team with members ranging in age from 3-18 years, is the major feeder program for the surrounding area high school swim teams, which have all been very successful. When swimming families are moving to the Houston area, TWST directly attracts those families to The Woodlands.
Since 1983, TWST has achieved the following:
- won 46 of 50 golf championships
- won 39 of 50 TAGS State Championships
- holds 81 TAGS record times (including 22 of 56 relays)
- put swimmers on 13 high school state and six national championship teams
- qualified more Junior and Senior Nationals swimmers than any other Texas team
- sent 25 athletes to U.S. Olympic Trials (since 1984)
- swimmers earned over $4 million in college scholarship money
Not only does TWST provide a healthy workout for children and students with trained coaches and a competitive swimming program, but it also provides many social opportunities in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Woodlands Swimming — Future is Brighter than Ever
TWST has signed the Conroe ISD Natatorium usage agreement, which confirms its role as a charter member of the new facility. This allows TWST preferential rates, better terms, and choice pool schedules.
Many TWST swimmers will begin swimming at the new pool this month. TWST already has a busy schedule for next season, hosting seven meets at its new home. The swim team is looking forward to operating in a climate-controlled environment where coaches and swimmers do not have to worry about weather conditions.
“We are positioning our team for growth,” said Norris, TWST’s president. “Our parent organization, USA Swimming, has seen a 25 percent increase in the number of swimmers in club programs each Olympic year. This year, with high profile swimmers and a lot of prime time television coverage, the increase could be even greater.”
“The Woodlands Swim Team’s future is brighter than ever before,” said Tim Bauer, TWST’s head coach. “Our mission is to continue our winning tradition, both in and out of the water. We want to develop our swimmers to their fullest potential and make an impact on our community.”
If you think your child could be the next Michael Phelps or Katie Hoff and you would like to know more about TWST, visit http://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=twstgs.
The Woodlands Swim Team is incorporated in the state of Texas as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Founded in 1987, The Woodlands Masters program was painstakingly built through hard work, a love for swimming and a few stubborn streaks among its members.
The story behind the success of the team starts with Tom and Carolyn Boak, long-time residents of The Woodlands, who swim, compete and coach together.
Tom Boak, a home builder by trade but a team builder by nature, credits swimming with changing his life. “Not only did I meet Carolyn at a U.S. Masters Swimming convention back in the late 1980’s, I also found a healthier and more positive way to live through swimming.”
The team has come a long way since its rough and tumble start, when Boak and a handful of other local swimmers founded the team at the WAC. Until 1987, the swimmers were part of Lone Star Masters, a team made up of competitors from across the State of Texas.
“That was fine, but the people in The Woodlands thought it would be fun to have their own team made up of the people they saw everyday,” Carolyn Boak said.
As recently as 2001, WMST was struggling with a dwindling membership, conducting only four workouts a week, and maintaining a revolving door for coaches. In 2002, the team went through a dramatic makeover when the Boaks and some other dedicated members decided to become their own coaches, adding more workouts and forging a closer relationship with TWST. They also started competing in national and international meets.
Since 2002, the membership has climbed to more than 250, and the number of weekly workouts has gone from a handful to more than 14. In 2006, more than 40 members competed in the FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) World Championship at Stanford University.
Moving from the WAC to the Nat is somewhat bittersweet for Boak and WMST members, because of all the fond memories they have of their long history there.
But the real strength of the program lies in the camaraderie between swimmers, who describe the team as family. In fact, the team’s membership includes 20 couples, two sets of brothers and sisters, six sets of mothers and daughters, one set of in-laws, one father and son, one father and daughter and three families (one with three generations).
“For Tom and me, we’re both close to our regular families, but this is like a third family,” said Carolyn Boak, who is known to fellow members as the “Sergeant” because of her no-nonsense attitude.
The team has come a long way since Tom Boak met Dick Smith, an Olympic coach and consultant to the WAC back in 1973. Boak was intimately involved in the planning and programming of the WAC, and he and Smith became fast friends.
“Dick was the one who urged me to swim laps to get in shape back in the 70’s,” Boak said. “I haven’t stopped since.”
Achievements of The Woodlands Masters Swim Team:
- In partnership with the WAC and TWST, WMST hosted four U.S. Masters Swimming National Championships in 1982, 1987, 1990 and 2007.
- In 2007, WMST placed first in Team Women, Team Men and Team Combined at the U.S. Masters Long Course Nationals.
- In 2007, WMST had 11 individual All-Americans, 34 relay All-Americans, and one All-Star (top woman in her age group in the U.S. — Carolyn Boak).
- In 2008, at the Short Course National Championships, WMST placed fourth in Team Men, second in Team Women and third in Team Combined.
- Started The Woodlands Relay Meet to encourage new swimmers to take part in competition. This meet is held on Super Bowl Saturday and combines competition with fun.
For more information about WMST, visit www.wmst.net.
Woodlands Aquatic Community, Inc., Established
TWST and WMST came together to organize Woodlands Aquatic Community, Inc., to combine their talents and common interests to seek viable solutions for pool space knowing that the WAC would be closing in 2008.
The WACI board has begun discussions with the City of Shenandoah and CISD to explore a partnership to add more pool space to the new natatorium complex. One of the main tasks of this WACI board is to develop a productive relationship with the City of Shenandoah and CISD to provide reliable and experienced aquatic program resources to call upon for assistance in the planning meetings, and to ensure that the Natatorium expansion project proceeds as expected.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. Comments to stories and articles on the Web site are not edited or pre-approved before appearing online. Readers posting comments are solely responsible for those comments. Comments must be germane to the story to which they apply. Online comments that are libelous, profane or personally attack another site participant can be reported as abuse using the link provided on each comment. Comments reported as abusive will be reviewed and may be removed from view, as will off-topic comments. BE CIVIL. Individuals continually posting abusive comments to the site may have their registrations revoked. |
Foz wrote on Sep 29, 2008 7:02 PM: