Diving into WEST Coast Aquatics: What sets them apart?

By Liz Ibsen

Edmonds, Wash.— When you enter WEST Coast Aquatics at their location off Country Club Drive in Mill Creek, Washington, you could be met with the rambunctious laughter of children at their swim lessons or the concentrated buzz of young athletes training to meet their next goal. While the atmosphere may differ, one thing remains the same and sets WEST apart from any other pool in the area; the club’s determination to better the lives of those who enter their waters through the love and passion for swimming as a sport and lifestyle.

WEST is a 501c3 non-profit organization run by a dedicated staff, all avid swimmers, and coaches who teach people of all ages how to swim. Their website states they “provide a nurturing, yet demanding environment for athletes to develop into strong and successful adults.”

“We’re trying to build a healthy sense of competition,” Brooklyn Dixon, WEST’s Lessons Manager, said when asked about how WEST facilitates the environment they strive for. “Especially in a day in age where we don’t necessarily like to put kids against kids. We want to make sure that the kids know whether you win or lose, whether it’s against yourself or somebody else, it’s fine because you tried your best.”

“There should be a constant feedback loop [between student and coach] of ‘this is going well; this is what we can improve on.’” WEST’s general manager, Tim Senholtz said. “Knowing that there is always something we can work on and be better at is huge to the goal and mission.”

Parents can sign up children between 3 and 12 years old for group swim lessons with WEST. Children spend 30 to 40 minutes per lesson for two weeks with an instructor who encourages and trains them to meet specific criteria to pass their classes. It is fulfilling for both the student and the instructor, who are dedicated to helping their students learn this critical survival skill.

Dixon describes, “Watching a kid go from being completely terrified of the water and maybe staying that way for a year, then one day it clicks is the most rewarding part of my job. And then seeing that in the instructors, and seeing the sparkle in their eyes like, ‘oh my gosh, I didn’t know if it was going to be possible, but it was possible, and I was part of that process.’”

There is an understanding amongst the staff that swimming is not just a fun activity but also that what their students are learning may one day save their lives. Senholtz said, “They’re learning a life skill that they can use when they’re an adult. They’ll be able to have some basic life-preserving skills if they ever fall in the water or end up in a situation where they might need to save themselves and save others.”

Earlier this year, WEST hosted a free event for International Water Safety Day. The community was invited to learn basic self-life-saving skills and how to help others by using a “reach and assist” method rather than jumping in to help someone. “It was really good to be able to give back to the community,” Dixon said about the event.

While WEST remains a hidden gem amongst Mill Creek's seemingly endless forest, enrolling in lessons is highly competitive. With limited space in the pool, WEST tries its best to accommodate children, their parents, and the instructors.

“Group lessons kind of died after COVID hit. Group lessons aren’t a thing anymore.” Dixon said. “They’re starting to kind of build back up, we’ve noticed, but most places are doing private lessons still. And we’re one of the only places in the surrounding area that still offers group lessons. So, it’s very competitive to get in. And we are trying to take in as many kids as we can.”

Despite how difficult it is for parents to enroll their children, people still flock to WEST. Community members understand something as unique as WEST is and will drive miles to return to it if they’ve moved away. The credit can be attributed to the staff’s passion for the sport and dedication to sharing it with everyone who enters the building.

“I’ve always been thankful for the connection to the water,” Sanholtz said, “I’m just glad to be able to share that with the community.”

WEST Coast Aquatics holds an annual fundraiser every April. For more information on the club, visit WEST Coast Aquatics (External Site).

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