The Oak Ridge Otters swim team has been active since the 1970s and has given children ages 4-18 a place to make friends, learn how to swim and compete against other local swim teams.

Trevor Schafer, who has served as head coach of the Oak Ridge Otters for the past seven years, said the swim team is currently made up of about 190 members from Oak Ridge North and the surrounding area.

Schafer said the season starts in mid-April and ends at the end of June. The Otters meet Tuesday through Friday at Marilyn Edgar Park in Oak Ridge North to practice for competitions held on Saturdays, he said.

Swimmers compete in a variety of races, such as the freestyle, the medley relay, the breaststroke, the backstroke and the butterfly.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” Schafer said. “I’ve really enjoyed the atmosphere as [coach].”

Rebecca Matthews, president of the Oak Ridge Otters board of directors, said when members of the swim team are not practicing they are active in the Oak Ridge North community.

“Our swimmers participate in a swimalongs to raise funds for scholarships for our senior swimmers,” Matthews said. “We also participate in the Oak Ridge North Fourth of July parade. We have several fun events for our athletes, such as a skate night and an evening where our coaches cook spaghetti for the entire team.”

Schafer said to join the Oak Ridge Otters, members pay a registration fee of $150 for the first swimmer, $100 for the second swimmer in the same family and $80 for additional family members. Registration opens in mid-March.

“I think we’re cheaper than some other swim teams in the area,” he said. “We’re unique because it’s not just a swim team; it’s very family oriented. We welcome everyone in.”

Matthews said she enjoys seeing the close bond the team makes during the season.

“The best thing about the team is the friendships you make,” she said. “I love watching the excitement in the smaller kids as they finish a race and the pride in the older kids as they help instruct and interact with the young ones.”

Marilyn Edgar Park
26531 S. Hillside Drive, Oak Ridge North
www.oakridgenorth.swimtopia.com