ABOUT US
Sunrise Swimming is a year round full-service aquatics program, offering a competitive swim team, both private and group lessons for all ages and ability levels, and a master's program for adults. We provide high quality professional instruction for all ages and abilities.
We are proud to be members of USA Swimming and its local governing body, the Florida Gold Coast. We are located in Sunrise, Florida. Our competitive swim team excels at developing young athletes in reaching their utmost potential through quality instruction. Our coaching staff focuses on all aspects of the individual, not just the athlete. Loyalty, commitment, and a solid work ethic are just a few characteristics that Sunrise Swimming instills in all swimmers, allowing for a quality program.
All of our coaches, as members of USA Swimming, have access to the most comprehensive training and certification program for youth coaches of any sport in the United States. Many of our coaches are also members of the American Swim Coaches Association, and work to provide quality instruction and training to their students.
Mission Statement: Sunrise Swimming is a team that aims to teach and motivate young people to achieve their highest potential both in and out of the pool. We are a family-run program that promotes strong character development and to strive for excellence in swimming and life, all in a safe, healthy, and positive environment.
HISTORY
Sunrise Swimming began in 1998 as the Sunrise Seahawk Swim Team. Coach Garry Nelson founded the team after moving from Broward Community College. In 2001, Coach Dave Wathen became the Head Coach and renamed the team Sunrise Swimming. Under his direction we produced several nationally ranked age-groupers and a Top 10 finish at the Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics.
Since 2001, Sunrise has also been a provider of swim lessons through SwimAmerica and SwimCentral, two of the foremost water safety organizations in the United States. Christi Wathen (Coach Christi) has been heading up the lesson program since it's inception.
In 2003, Coach Dave became the National Team coach for the Plantation Swim Team (PST). Sunrise Swimming became a satellite of PST at that time.
In 2013, Coach Dave retired from the City of Plantation, and Sunrise returned to being an independent program: Sunrise Swimming. Coach Dave continued to be the head coach of Sunrise Swimming until he retired in 2016.
In the spring of 2016, Coach Alec graduated from Florida Southern College and came home to Sunrise to take over Head Coach responsibilities. One year later, Coach Matt finished at the University of Florida and came home to Sunrise to take over as the Head Age Group Coach. Under Coach Alec and Coach Matt's leadership, Sunrise has seen it's best placing at the Junior Olympic Championships in years as well as incredible growth within the team.
We are constantly growing and training young swimmers in order to maintain a well-rounded aquatics program and competitive swim team. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to getting to meet new faces to the program!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Our pool is located at the Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33351. Our office phone is 954-747-4635.
