Flying Fish dive into season

The Daniel Island Flying Fish swimming program is all grown up. This summer marks the 18th year for the program, which made a splashing debut in 2004.

 

“It’s kind of cool to have kids who started when they were 5 or 6 years old and they stayed with it throughout high school,” longtime coach Rose Van Metre said. “It’s neat when the swimmers come back and help coach.”

 

The program is celebrating its milestone year with a goal of returning to normalcy after COVID-19 shut down the 2020 Coastal Carolina Aquatic season.

 

“We are getting back to normal,” Van Metre said. “This year marks the return of dual meets, and it should be awesome. The kids are excited. The parents are excited, and I’m excited for the program.”

 

The 2022 season includes six dual meets on the schedule. The first meet was scheduled for May 31 at Longpoint, and two meets were scheduled to be on tap next week. The Flying Fish travel to Hobcaw on June 7 and then have their first home meet of the season two days later when they host North Charleston.

 

Next week is the only time when the Flying Fish have two dual meets in one week.

 

“The season starts May 31 and ends the weekend of July 8, so it’s going to be a quick season,” Van Metre said. “We pretty much have a full schedule. But instead of eight (dual) meets, we have only six. We have only one week where we have two meets. The one thing is the association wanted to be flexible. This gives swimmers more opportunities and less meet pressure. I think the swimmers and parents will appreciate that.” 

 

Last summer, there were noticeable signs of the lingering effects of COVID. Last year, the Flying Fish scheduled only two dual meets before the City Swim Meet, and there were numerous restrictions, including one that kept parents from being on the pool deck. 

 

The lack of dual meets last summer caused Van Metre to be creative. She split the team into three groups and had intrasquad meets. The teams were divided into red, white and blue in a tribute to the 2020 Olympics, which were finally contested last summer in Tokyo.

 

Prior to 2020, the Flying Fish roster included about 260-270 members. In 2021, the number dropped to about 220. This year, the team’s numbers are up to about 240 swimmers.

 

“We have a lot of swimmers in the 11-12 age group and in the younger age groups,” Van Metre added. “But we also have a good number of swimmers who are 13 and older. It should be an exciting year. I know the kids are excited and so are the parents. I’m excited as well.”