Beach Club Snappers are READY
The first week of the 2026 summer swim season is officially complete for the Wilson’s Beach Club Snappers, and what an exciting start it has been!
This year brings a brand-new coaching staff to the pool deck, each bringing their own experience, enthusiasm, and passion for helping young swimmers learn, grow, and have fun.
Throughout the week the team practiced their team cheer, reviewed all four competitive strokes, dove off the starting block, and began building the positive team culture that will define their season. While there were lots of new skills introduced, the coaching staff was encouraged by how swimmers embraced the opportunity to learn and grow.
One of the highlights for Head Coach Mary Bean has been watching swimmers respond to new challenges with persistence and a willingness to learn. “Even when things feel hard or don’t click right away for swimmers, they reset, and give it another go, and that’s exactly the mindset we want this season. It’s okay to struggle with something new, as long as you keep showing up and keep trying. That’s how confidence is built.” What It Means to Win The first day of practice, swimmers were told the team expectations are to be READY. More than a list of rules, READY provides a framework for how the team hopes swimmers will treat
themselves, their teammates, and the sport throughout the season.
R – Respect Others and Yourself
E – Effort Every Day
A – Arrive Prepared
D – Demonstrate Sportsmanship
Y – You Are Responsible
These expectations go beyond what the team learns about swimming and helps them create a team where everyone feels welcome, supported, and challenged to be their best.
One of the most important conversations this week focused on what it means to win. Yes, winning can mean touching the wall first at a swim meet. But for the Snappers, winning also means having fun, trying something new, and challenging yourself. Each practice ends with swimmers shoutouting out their wins, giving swimmers an opportunity to recognize their own growth while celebrating the accomplishments of their teammates.
Kicking Off the Season
Snappers wrapped up the week with their Kickoff Party on June 7. With four different practice groups throughout the day, it is especially meaningful to bring the full team together to celebrate the start of the season.
Although the weather cut the evening short and team picture plans will need to be rescheduled, it was great to see swimmers of all ages connecting and laughing over a classic summer picnic of hot dogs, sides, and sweet treats. The friendships, memories, and sense of belonging built outside the water are just as important as the skills developed in the pool.
With the first meet of the season approaching on June 10 at Country Club of Missouri, swimmers will soon have an opportunity to put their hard work into action. More importantly, they will have a chance to demonstrate what it means to be READY—showing respect, effort, responsibility, and sportsmanship while supporting their teammates every step of the way.