Brigantine Aquatic Center
If you build it, they will come. Though this field of dreams story is decidedly more wet, the passion and dedication behind bringing a big idea to life is the same. In 1998, local swim instructor Robin Taylor realized there was no place in the Brigantine area for kids to learn how to swim and about water safety. Robin was teaching 4,000 kids at the time at a huge program in Toms River, where her daughter Sari Carroll first took infant classes in 1977, and knew the importance of swimming year-round, especially for people living on an island surrounded by water.
"I said we should build a pool. And of course, everybody laughed," said Robin. "My husband Chuck was from Brigantine and was a realtor at the time. I said, 'Well, let's start looking for property, maybe if we do some of the work ourselves... And we did. In 1999, we started building and we opened in 2001."
Fast forward more than 20 years, and the BAC's impact on the community is stronger than ever. At Brigantine Aquatic Center, there are memberships available year-round for lap swimming and access to water exercise classes, in addition to the popular swimming lessons for babies six weeks old all the way up to adults. Since opening, over 10,000 children have been taught at the Brigantine Aquatic Center that sits a block from the bay near the entrance to the island.
"I've had people come back that I taught when they were little and are now bringing their children in. We've come full circle. It's everything I wanted it to be," said Robin.
"The best part about our little pool on the greatest island in the world is the relationships that develop. The hundreds of kids, members, special needs moms, and staff know they always have a home at our small pool in Brigantine, added Sari.
Teaching respect, safety and love for water is a top priority for Robin and Sari, who's an integral part of the business today as an experienced instructor, mentor, and businesswoman.
"(Swimming) is a lifesaving skill and it's something that they're going to take with them for the rest of their lives. Since drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children, it's important that kids are experiencing or are exposed to water are exposed to water safety because it’s their best defense.
Quickly after opening, the need to help people in the community who couldn't afford swimming lessons became apparent. And just as quick, Green Whales, Inc, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was born. Green Whales funds several programs offered at the BAC, including Whelan's Whales, the Greenheads swim team, Stanley's Special Friends, and Greenheads Special Olympics Team. They also run the Brigantine Beach Triathlon on August 5 and the annual Brigantine Open Swim on August 6. This year marks its 10th anniversary.
Whelan's Whales is a free swim lesson and water safety program for Atlantic County kids that also provides scholarships to several young swimmers as they transition out of lessons to the Greenheads Swim Team. The Greenheads age group swim team, a nonprofit team since 2002, provides year-round scholarships and financial assistance to athletes in Atlantic County. They participate in USA Swimming as well as two leagues, winter (GSJSL) and summer (SSSL). Stanley's Special Friends sponsors children in Atlantic County with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This sponsorship gives each child five free water safety and swimming lessons.
Robin credits Sari with providing the care, expertise, and vision for these programs and for helping any child who wants to learn. Sari has dedicated her life to swimming. She's an American Red Cross lifeguard instructor, a water safety instructor, a certified USA Swimming coach and official, and an open water swim coach.
"She's a godsend. She's absolutely amazing in creating new programs and finding newways to fund them. She is one of the best coaches in the county and one of the ones that cares the most," said Robin. "Because it's not about the money it's about the kids. With her, it really is. It's all about them."
