In the swim

WEST MILFORD — The excitement in Matthew Kane's voice is contagious. The 24-year-old coach of the West Milford Swim Team is proud of the swimmers who represent the township in the summer swimming leagues. And, although the season is coming to an end, Kane looked back with pride on what the kids accomplished both individually and as a team.

Some historyThe West Milford Swim Team has been in existence since the 1990s. It is open to all kids, ages 5 to 18, who live in West Milford. Kane notes that participants do not have to be members of Bubbling Springs in order to participate. They practice and swim at Bubbling Springs but membership is not necessary. Swimmers do not have to be experts either. As long as you can swim a lap, you can join the team, said Kane. This is a summer team only.

Having funKane has been coaching since 2010. His goals each year include improving swimming ability for the swimmers, winning some meets and, most importantly, having fun.

"This team is a summer swim team which means there is fun involved," said Kane. "It is great for kids of all ages because it is a chance to make new friends and see friends that they go to school with over the summer."

The team competes with the Ramapo League, which has seven teams, and the Lakeland League, which has 12.

Kane said the team works hard. They win about half of their races, which include backstroke, freestyle and butterfly. For each race, a certain number of lanes are allowed for each team. Kane said there has been an increase in the number of kids participating, he believes, because of word of mouth.

"Luckily we're fortunate to have around 70 to 75 swimmers," he said, giving them a better chance of winning a meet. "The recruitment is up because the kids enjoy the program and tell their friends of the fun they are having."

Working hardThe team forms in June and practices every day for about three hours at the start of the season. When the meets begin, a few weeks into the season, they practice each day for about an hour and have two meets each week. The season ends in early August.

"It takes a team to win a swim meet and I am just lucky enough to have one that makes me feel like we have a chance every time we swim," said Kane. "All I ask is for the kids to give it their best shot in the races."

It's a group effortThe kids work hard for sure, but Kane said he is fortunate to have great support in Tim Roetman, Community Services and Recreation director, and his fellow coaches, Toni Feigel, Taylor Messler and Connor Cassidy. And the parents, who, he said, are essential in making the team work.

A member of the swim team himself as a teenager, Kane said he's honored to be part of this program.

"It has been a privilege and an honor to be a coach for the team since 2010."

For more photos, go to westmilfordmessenger.com.