Back to Archive List The Strawberry Seals Swim Team will begin a new chapter in its epic history with some very big changes. These changes involve both good and bad news. Let's get the bad news out of the way first. Our multi-talented Head Coach, Anna Tarka, has decided to resign effective December 18th. The decision for her was a tough one as she has put her heart and soul into the team over the last three years. However, Anna's commitments to her other job and musical pursuits have increased significantly during the last year. The Strawberry Seals Swim Team is very thankful to Anna for all of her efforts and we will miss seeing her around the pool. Good luck Anna in your future endeavors!

Now on to the good news!

As the Seals have grown and prospered over the years, the limited number of lanes at the Strawberry Recreation District pool has become a constraining factor for effective practices as well as leading to crowded, longer meets. With this in mind, the Seals Board has been in negotiations with Tam High for over a year for the use of their brand new, state of the art, aquatic center. On November 9th, the Seals reached an agreement with Tam High to use their pool for practices and meets. Under our agreement, the Strawberry Seals will more than double its lane capacity to eight lanes and swim at more reasonable practice times. Swim meets should move faster and be more enjoyable due to greater deck space.

So what happens to the Strawberry Recreation District pool? We are, after all, the STRAWBERRY Seals. A 40 year tradition and long ties to the community are not something to be taken lightly. With that in mind, our move to a new pool opens up new possibilities not only for the Seals, but also for the Strawberry Recreation District and Tam High.

You may have noticed the changes at the Strawberry Recreation District pool both on the deck (new chairs and tables) and behind the scenes with new management. One of the changes is Strawberry Recreation District's plan to develop a more comprehensive aquatics program - and this is where the Seals come in. Children who are not quite ready for the Seals team will have the opportunity to participate in the SRD Swim Lesson Program designed to provide the skills, instruction and assistance necessary for participants to reach their goal of becoming a Seal swim team member.

Recognizing that the younger kids will be more comfortable in a smaller, more intimate pool, the less experienced Seals swimmers will continue to practice at the Strawberry Recreation District pool. All swim meets will be at the Tam High pool and we will make sure that the younger kids have many opportunities to swim at the "big pool" so that they feel comfortable there as well.

To view construction photos of the new Tam pool please click here.

So in essence, the Seals - with the help of the Strawberry Recreation District and Tam High - hope to provide a healthy, positive swimming experience for all swimmers from the youngest pre-k child to the graduating high school senior.

Although our goal is ambitious, we believe that there has never been a better time to be a Strawberry Seal!

As to our first order of business in hiring a new head coach, the Seals Board is already hard at work at finding the right person to lead us in this new and exciting direction. Helping matters greatly is that Coach Nick Wooters has agreed to stay on as Assistant Coach. His good humor and enthusiasm is a giant first step for the Seals.

The Seals Board will strive to keep you informed of the latest developments and we ask for your patience and good wishes for the task ahead.

Go Seals!

The Strawberry Seals Board
Eric Zener
Mike Potter
Deborah Book
Ron Chan
Vivian Firmage
Doug Grant
Kathleen Mortimer
Mindy Norris
Melanie Victor-Smith