Students of Havasu Stingrays Swim team at an early morning practice at the Aquatic Center. From left to right, Scott, Aubrey, Luke, Zach, Lily, CJ, Mary, Carson, Brooklyn, Faith, Avery, Layla, Anna, Kadey, Adrie, Zoey and Andrew. Photo by Phaedra Veronique
LAKE HAVASU CITY – Summer activities for the youths of Lake Havasu are now in full swing and it’s the perfect time to join the Havasu Stingrays Swim Team. The Havasu Stingrays Swim Team has been around for more than 30 years and is still going strong. In 2022, the team broke two school records with their very first meet of the season.
Currently, the team is being led by professional swim coach Rick Wheeler, who has more than 10 years of experience training national-level swimmers in Vietnam, certified coaches, as well as private lessons for all ages. Wheeler’s diverse range of accomplishments is combined with serving as the aquatics director of the British International School in Ho Chi Minh City and was also the head coach for the H20 Sharks team. The dedicated coach launched a peak performance swim camp to Ho Minh City, which was a first for the Vietnam City.
The group consists of six teams based on skill level. The Havasu Stingrays began in 2013 with their first ‘Coach Mike Memorial Lake Swim’, the three-mile swimming event that begins at Rotary Park. Entry fees for the swim day go to Coach Mike Taylor HSST Scholarship which benefits graduates of the team who wish to pursue a college education. The nonprofit swim club also has a junior coaching program for those who 18 with competitive swimming backgrounds. The purpose of this opportunity is to obtain safety training, leadership, and continued education. Registration to join opened this month for new and returning members through November. Participants must be ages five to 18 to join.
Coach Wheeler has big aspirations for the organization including extra swimming pools at the aquatic center, creating swim lessons for all age groups, and more community involvement with other local nonprofits. He also wants to attract residents and visitors of the Lake Havasu area with a movie night, which would be a unique opportunity for families to have nightly swims that end in viewing films at the Aquatic Center. The Havasu Stingrays Team as an ongoing fundraiser that can be accessed on their website to make these dreams for the club a reality someday.
The competitive swimmers are committed to ongoing practices Monday through Friday with early morning times ranging from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Aquatic Center. Havasu Stingrays was created for youths to discover their passion for swimming, and develop friendships that could last a lifetime.
Phaedra Veronique
