What group is your swimmer in?
I am lucky to have two swimmers on AC! My oldest is on Blue 2A, and my youngest just started with the team as a Jr. Otter.

How long has your child been swimming?
My daughter, Greta, was in swim lessons since the age of 4 and joined AC Swim as a Jr Otter in May 2024. She has loved being a part of the team these past two years. My son, Patrick, started swim lessons at age 5 and just joined AC a few months ago. We feel so lucky to have such a wonderful team here in Petaluma.

What inspired you to join the booster board?
AC Swim has already given so much to our family - the coaches are amazing and I see how much both of my kids have learned about swimming, hard work, and leadership already. I'm glad to contribute what I can to support the team.

What's your favorite part of being involved with the team?
I love seeing our swimmers work hard and have fun together. The family community is amazing and we've already developed so many wonderful memories cheering each other's swimmers on as they grow and develop as individuals and swimmers.

How has swimming positively affected your family?
I am so grateful to AC Swim for the many lessons it has taught our kids about teamwork, growth, and having fun. Through rainy practices, chilly mornings, challenging workouts, and exciting successes, our swimmers learn to persevere and support one another every step of the way.

My children have had an incredible experience with AC Swim. Not only have they built lasting friendships and had so much fun, but they have also developed leadership skills, grit, and dedication that will serve them throughout their lives.

Our coaches are truly exceptional. They have taught my kids to embrace a growth mindset, celebrate progress, learn from setbacks, and maintain a sense of humor through both the highs and lows. Their encouragement and guidance have made a lasting impact, and I am deeply grateful for everything they do.

What advice would you give to a new swim family?
My first exposure to competitive swimming came when my daughter joined the team, so I had a lot to learn. From understanding how swimsuits are sized and registering for meets to figuring out the best ways to support my swimmers through the inevitable highs and lows of training and competition, every aspect of the sport was new to me.

If you're new to swimming, don't hesitate to ask questions. There's no such thing as a silly question! AC Swim families, coaches, team parents, and the Booster Board are all here to support you. One of the things I love most about this community is how generously people share their knowledge, experience, and encouragement. We are all invested in helping our swimmers and their families have a positive, rewarding, and successful experience both in and out of the pool.

What's your favorite Petaluma restaurant?
While there are so many great restaurants here in town, my favorites are Della Fattoria, Street Social, Levant, and Urban Deli. Urban Deli's Baba Ghanoush is not to be missed!