By McKenna Hultgren
Jump right into the world of the Northfield Swim Club, where every swimmer has their own unique experience in the water and is chasing after their swimming dreams. What makes swimming such a fun and unique sport is that it is both an individual and team sport.
Swimmers set and accomplish their own goals while supporting and cheering on their teammates along the way. At Northfield Swim Club, the coaches are right there with you, supporting and pushing you to be the best you can be as you reach new heights in your swimming career.
Northfield Swim Club was founded in 1970 by a group of parents who recognized the need for a swim team in the community for their kids. Initially, the team trained at the local high school pool while occasionally utilizing the outdoor pool in Northfield. While the exact number of swimmers in the beginning is unclear, the club has historically had around 100 swimmers. Reed Wahlberg, who joined the coaching staff at Northfield Swim Club in the late 1970s, played a big role in providing direction and success for the program.
Before Wahlberg, the coaching staff consisted of a mix of dedicated parents and college students. The program’s atmosphere has always created an uplifting and motivating environment while consistently producing quality swimmers. Over the years, Northfield Swim Club has achieved notable accomplishments, including state championship titles, and maintaining a strong presence in the swimming community. Northfield Swim Club even had the pleasure of having the renowned singer and entertainer, Yanni, as a summer coach in the early 1970s!
What makes Northfield Swim Club truly a special place is that it is a small town club, unlike many big suburban Swim clubs. Northfield Swim Club swimmers are mostly from Northfield. The club takes pride in providing a competitive swim program right here in town while having a diverse range of skill levels in the program. The swimmers’ bonds go beyond the pool.
Many of the athletes are in other sports with other teammates that are involved in the program. Northfield Swim Club athletes are not just teammates; they are bandmates, choir members, orchestra players, scouts, and even actors. It’s such a unique thing to witness at Northfield Swim Club with the swimmers and their families in various settings, which makes the club so supportive and enjoyable to be at!
At Northfield Swim Club, the coaches strive to create a culture that embraces and values every athlete. Each of the dedicated coaches works endlessly and puts a lot of time into designing workouts that help swimmers of all levels grow.
Whether they are fresh out of swim lessons or competing in State meets, the coaches at Northfield Swim Club believe that every child deserves the opportunity to be part of a swim program that cherishes them both in and out of the water, where they are welcomed, valued, and supported in their journey.