To learn more
SwimAtlanta will be at 5059 Post Road, next to the Midway Park. For more information, contact (770) 888-0010 or go online at www.swimatlanta.com.
Will the next Olympic swimming phenom come from Forsyth County?
It’s possible, according to Landon Harris.
The long-time instructor will serve as head coach of SwimAtlanta’s newest facility, scheduled to open Aug. 31 in the Midway Kids Village.
“What I’m hearing from a lot of parents out there is that they’ve been waiting for us to come up that way, so we’re hoping we can fill a void of what’s been missing,” said Harris, who’s been a SwimAtlanta coach for about a decade.
“Hopefully, we can create some national-level kids out of that area.”
As the sport continues to grow in popularity, Harris said the new facility will be home to swimmers of all skill levels.
The facility also will have an adult swim club, water aerobics for senior citizens and will provide practice space for local high school swim teams.
Harris has reached out to local home school programs and high school swim teams, including nearby West Forsyth High School.
Asheley Croy, West Forsyth head coach, said she is thrilled about the local SwimAtlanta facility.
Croy said she has encouraged her group of about 50 swimmers to travel to the nearby locations to train during the school’s offseason.
“They’re phenomenal, and the coaching staff they have coming in is top of the line,” she said.
“They are definitely coming in at an opportune time because the sport of swimming in Forsyth County is so large, and there’s just not enough facilities close enough ... for the kids to really press forward.”
Between six locations, including Alpharetta and Johns Creek, SwimAtlanta works with about 1,800 kids from beginner to professional levels, Harris said.
The company has trained five Olympians, including 2004 silver medalist Amanda Weir and most recently Kathleen Hersey and Eric Shanteau.
Not every student is Olympics bound, but Croy said one superstar swimmer has made the dream much more desirable.
“It’s been one of those sports that people haven’t given much attention to, but now there’s a definite interest,” she said. "I think everyone wants to be Michael Phelps.”
The need for more swimming venues has become a focus in Forsyth.
The city of Cumming is building an aquatic center on Pilgrim Mill Road. The design calls for multiple pools and could attract future events.
SwimAtlanta’s new facility will feature a training pool and lesson pool. The center may also have a swim or scuba shop.
Harris said the need for more swim opportunities is so great, the city’s aquatic center and other future facilities will serve as partners, not competitors.
“What our program provides will be quite different than what’s already there or what may be coming,” he said. “We’re looking to work with everyone in the area.”
E-mail Jennifer Sami at jennifersami@forsythnews.com.
It’s possible, according to Landon Harris.
The long-time instructor will serve as head coach of SwimAtlanta’s newest facility, scheduled to open Aug. 31 in the Midway Kids Village.
“What I’m hearing from a lot of parents out there is that they’ve been waiting for us to come up that way, so we’re hoping we can fill a void of what’s been missing,” said Harris, who’s been a SwimAtlanta coach for about a decade.
“Hopefully, we can create some national-level kids out of that area.”
As the sport continues to grow in popularity, Harris said the new facility will be home to swimmers of all skill levels.
The facility also will have an adult swim club, water aerobics for senior citizens and will provide practice space for local high school swim teams.
Harris has reached out to local home school programs and high school swim teams, including nearby West Forsyth High School.
Asheley Croy, West Forsyth head coach, said she is thrilled about the local SwimAtlanta facility.
Croy said she has encouraged her group of about 50 swimmers to travel to the nearby locations to train during the school’s offseason.
“They’re phenomenal, and the coaching staff they have coming in is top of the line,” she said.
“They are definitely coming in at an opportune time because the sport of swimming in Forsyth County is so large, and there’s just not enough facilities close enough ... for the kids to really press forward.”
Between six locations, including Alpharetta and Johns Creek, SwimAtlanta works with about 1,800 kids from beginner to professional levels, Harris said.
The company has trained five Olympians, including 2004 silver medalist Amanda Weir and most recently Kathleen Hersey and Eric Shanteau.
Not every student is Olympics bound, but Croy said one superstar swimmer has made the dream much more desirable.
“It’s been one of those sports that people haven’t given much attention to, but now there’s a definite interest,” she said. "I think everyone wants to be Michael Phelps.”
The need for more swimming venues has become a focus in Forsyth.
The city of Cumming is building an aquatic center on Pilgrim Mill Road. The design calls for multiple pools and could attract future events.
SwimAtlanta’s new facility will feature a training pool and lesson pool. The center may also have a swim or scuba shop.
Harris said the need for more swim opportunities is so great, the city’s aquatic center and other future facilities will serve as partners, not competitors.
“What our program provides will be quite different than what’s already there or what may be coming,” he said. “We’re looking to work with everyone in the area.”
E-mail Jennifer Sami at jennifersami@forsythnews.com.