Triangle Aquatic Center News

June 14, 2010 - TAC Welcomes 1,000,000th Guest!
Cute, smiling, four year old Anya Jain walked through the doors at the Curran Aquatic Center on Sunday and quickly became a celebrity as TAC's 1,000,000th guest! Anya arrived for a swim lesson, and as she walked through the door was presented with a special plaque and a fluffy new commemorative towel by TAC Chief Operating Officer, Randy Roberts and the TAC management team. "Anya's been coming here for two years now, and she absolutely loves it!" said her proud parents. "Recognizing the 1 millionth guest visit is a testament to the time and hard work put in by TAC volunteers and staff, and to the loyalty and support of all the organizations and community citizens who use TAC on a regular basis" says Roberts. During the same 26 month timeframe, TAC events have generated over $10M in direct visitor spending as the facility has become a significant asset to the community at large.

June 2, 2010 - Senior Swimmers Select Colleges!
Heartiest congratulations to the following high school swimmers who have recently selected their colleges for the fall. At the top of the class is George Ramsay, current WAVE swimmer, who has accepted the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, the nation's oldest and most prestigious merit scholarship program. George is very much looking forward to attending UNC Chapel Hill in the fall! Other swimmers are equally pleased with their selections, including Kenny Yacynych (WAVE) who has agreed to swim at the US Military Academy at West Point, Jordan Denmark (WAVE) – swimming scholarship at Gardner-Webb; Robertson Williams – swim scholarship at College of Charleston; Abby Vance – Old Dominion swim scholarship; Dylan Kab who will swim at Eastern Michigan; Trey Jackson and Deniz Gurel, Appalachian State; and Chris Barfield - East Carolina University. These seniors join many of their teammates who accepted scholarships in the fall and were the subject of an earlier story. WAVE Head Coach John Roy states that "This is the largest class of graduating seniors from WAVE, and definitely a class with an impressive amount of scholarship funding. I am extremely proud of these seniors, it's been a blast!"

May 23, 2010 - Black Heritage This Weekend
TAC is host to the 8th Annual National Black Heritage Championship Swim Meet and welcomes over 730 swimmers to Cary May 29–30. 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and 2004 Olympian Maritza Correia are featured at the event which includes competition, activities that focus on drowning prevention, and serves as a stop on the Cullen Jones National Diversity Tour. For attendees, this event feels more like a family reunion than a swim meet, and brings together a growing number of black swimmers and their families for a weekend of fun, fast swimming and great food. The event adds over $500k each year to the local economy in direct visitor spending. See blackheritageswimming.org for more.

March 28, 2010 - Top Honors for Synchro Swimmers
Congratulations to Raleigh Auroras' synchronized swimmers Julia and Nathalie Gaylard, recently named the "Top Duo" performers in TX at the Senior South Zone Championships! The twins have been synchro swimmers for 12 years, beginning in Canada and now coached at TAC by Auroras coach, Rebecca Williams. Seniors at Wakefield, and heavily recruited by schools in OH, TX and NY, the girls will attend Ohio State in the fall and compete with the Buckeyes as part of their strong team. They are currently preparing for the Senior National meet in April, where they will join the top 200 athletes in their sport for a National title. Daily practice is certainly part of their training regimen, but what's their secret to that famously slicked-back hair during competitions? You apply several coats of a Knox Gelatin solution! The Raleigh Auroras are the area's only competitive synchronized swim team, and the TAC Angelfish is the perfect program for learning and recreational synchronized swimming. Both programs are run out of the Curran Aquatic Center. Contact Rebecca Williams, 919.459.4045 X223 for more information on either program. "We absolutely love Coach Rebecca!", says Nathalie. "She’s been a competitive synchronized swimmer herself and just knows EVERYTHING about the sport!".

February 20, 2010 - Join TAC Torpedoes!
TAC has recently joined Wake County's Tarheel Swimming Association (TSA), the summer swim league with over 10,000 kids who get together six Tuesday nights during the summer months for fun and friendly competition. Our new team, the "TAC Torpedoes" will emphasize the social aspects of swimming during the meets, but swimmers will also develop their skills in the water with our excellent coaching staff. Stop by the front desk for all the details and to register. Team practice begins on May 3, with daily practices beginning each weekday starting June 7. $300 for the first child, less for each subsequent child. Family passes are also available for use during all TAC rec swim times. See flyer for more info or call 459-4045 for questions.

January 14, 2010 - Evening with Ryan Lochte, Jan 22!
Two-time Olympian Ryan Lochte invites all local swim fans to join him at Triangle Aquatic Center, courtesy of All American Swim Supply and Speedo, on Friday, January 22nd from 5-7pm. At 5pm, Lochte will talk with those in the stands about his storied success as a world-class swimmer and conclude with an autograph signing. Attendees will be limited to one autograph, so as to conclude the event at 7. This event is free and open to the public. Best known for his amazing backstroke, Ryan is the 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 200 Backstroke, and reigning world champion in the 200 & 400 Individual Medley. Most recently, USA Swimming honored Ryan as swimming's Male Athlete of the Year at the 2009 Golden Goggle Awards. Donations will also be accepted at the door in support of USA Swimming's "Make A Splash" initiative, which provides free or reduced-cost swim lessons for children who would otherwise not have an opportunity to learn to swim. For every $100 raised through "Make A Splash", a child can learn to be safe in, on and around the water, and will attend lessons at the Triangle Aquatic Center, a non-profit public aquatic facility, and the largest indoor aquatic facility in NC. All American Swim Supply is a full-service swim supplier and team dealer located in TAC, and will have autograph merchandise available for sale. A percentage of all sales at this event will also be donated to the Make a Splash Program. For more information about this event please call 919-459-4045 ext 234 for the All American Swim Supply Store.

November 12, 2009 - TAC Swimmers Choose Schools!
Congratulations to the outstanding HS seniors who swim at TAC and who have accepted early and received scholarships to study and swim at the following schools. KB Burnette-Campbell; Torrey Bussey-LSU; Sarah Henry-Texas A&M; Alicia Huther-Old Dominion; Caroline Mills-Lenoir Rhyne; and Michael Saunders-Limestone College. Each of these swimmers receives significant, if not full athletic and/or academic scholarships. Yep, swimming makes you smart too! Sarah Henry is clearly the swimming "star" of this year's class. In fact, she is one of only 4 "6 STAR" seniors in the US, as ranked by Swimming World Magazine. NC has produced lots of great female swimmers over the years, but Sarah's name floats prominently to the top of that class. She is an Olympic Trial Qualifier in multiple events and a breaststroke semifinalist. She holds exactly, and astoundingly, half of NC's all-time swimming short course records for women, and 8 of the 14 all-time records for girls aged 15 – 18. Sarah obviously had her pick of schools, but chose A&M over full scholarship offers from both Stanford & Texas. Her own universe is about to expand, as Sarah plans to study astro-physics, with a focus on dark matter and dark energy. Read more about Sarah in the Swimming World article. Torrey Bussey joins former local breaststroke standout Jessica Botzum, now an assistant coach in Baton Rouge. Asked why she chose LSU, Torrey unhesitatingly points to the moment it hit her – at one of those wild LSU football games with her new friends and future teammates. Read more about Cary High's Torrey Bussey in the N&O this weekend. We wish her all the best! After years of swimming with the area's best coaches, Alicia, KB, Caroline, and Michael each received incredible offers from their chosen schools and will make a huge impact to their new teams, as they move on to pursue their dreams in college. Each swimmer has their own favorite swim moment, and their own personal reason for loving the sport, including meeting new people, blowing off stress, making lifelong friendships or "getting free stuff when you go fast!". Believe me, these kids are more than ready to take that next plunge! Additional senior swimmers will make their selections in the spring and will be the subject of a future announcement.

July 25, 2009 - Register for Water Polo!
Triangle Water Polo Club is hosting a series of 3 introductory water polo clinics at TAC on Aug 1, 8 and 15. The clinics, each held from 12-2pm, are designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of water polo. Upon completion, participants are eligible to join the Club for weekly games with great fun, great people and great exercise! Click here for additional info on the classes and to register. Drop-ins also welcome. $10 each class, or register in person at TAC for a discount on all three classes. All gear is provided. For more about the club, please visit the Triangle Water Polo Club website or contact Rob Dickens at robstuff@yahoo.com.

June 25, 2009 - NEW! Triathlete Development Clinics!
Each month, one of the area's top triathlon coaches will share their insight and offer materials to help you develop your own triathlon savvy here at TAC as part of our new Triathlete Development Series. This month, Coach Vicky Yeingst will host the session on July 10th, “Secrets of Race Day”, with tips and strategies to keep your race day smooth, enjoyable and successful. Register now for the 6:30pm clinic. Vicky has 9 years of multisport coaching experience, and is USAT Level II Triathlon Certified. Check out her website for more, then get ready for Splash N Dash at TAC on July 12th!

February 6, 2009 - Senior Sectionals at TAC
Come watch the fastest swimmers in the southeast as New Wave Swim Team hosts USA Swimmings Southern Sectional Championship, March 5 - 8 here at the super-fast Curran Aquatic Center pool! Records are sure to be broken with over 700 athletes from NC, SC, WV, KY, GA, MS, AL and TN joining our local athletes and Olympic Gold Medalist, Cullen Jones. Admission is free, and guests can grab a bite at the cafe while waiting for the next big swim!

January 22, 2009 - Premier Swim Meets Select TAC
The North Carolina Aquablazers Swim Team will host the 7th Annual National Black Heritage Championship Swim Meet at the Curran Aquatic Center on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-24. Thirty teams from as far away as California are expected to attend the meet with over 600 swimmers, bringing an estimated economic impact of $500,000 in direct visitor spending to the Triangle area. Details for the meet, including information about Olympian Maritza Corriea's swim clinics, can be found at www.blackheritageswimming.org TAC in Cary has also been selected as host site for several other prominent statewide and US regional events including: NC Senior (age 15+) Championships (500 swimmers)    NC Private School State 3A Champs    US Southeastern Age Group Sectionals (700 swimmers)    US YMCA Regionals (900 swimmers)    Tarheel State Champs (500 swimmers)    NC Long Course Junior Olympics (400 swimmers)    NC Special Olympics Summer Games    VA Senior Championships (500 swimmers)    Additional fall and winter 2009 events at TAC will be awarded this summer. The Curran Aquatic Center's great location, quality pool environment, guest-friendly amenities and professional staff continue to draw an increasing number guests to the Cary facility, both travelers to our large events and our daily, local swimmers.

October 25, 2008 - Celebrating Our First Year
As Stephanie Calleja dove in and made the first splash into the new Curran Aquatic Center on October 28th last year, few would have guessed that in only our first year of operations, TAC would achieve these impressive milestones: Enrolled over 2000 children in swim lessons    Conducted ˜50 high school and USA swim meets, hosting >250,000 swimmers    250,000 swimmer-hours spent training in TAC pools    Hosted 32,000 lap / fitness swimmers    Averaged 25,000 visitors per month    Awarded 181 lifeguard certifications    We're tremendously proud of these accomplishments! We've also worked hard to develop all levels of youth and adult swim lessons, fitness classes, certification classes, several recreational activities, and a Masters swim program as part of a wide spectrum of program offerings. Surveys from our guests continue to be extremely positive, and we have learned much from your feedback. Our staff is continually improving their service to our guests. We now offer online registration. Most of all however, we're proud to be part of such a vibrant and active community and look forward to serving your needs even more in the years ahead.

August 24, 2008 - TAC Participates in "Make A Splash" Initiative
Did you know that minorities are nearly three times as likely to drown as their Caucasian counterparts? TAC is working to combat this sad statistic and has partnered with USA Swimming's "Make A Splash" learn-to-swim initiative. Through "Make A Splash", we are able to offer free or reduced swim lessons to many eligible children in our community. Thanks in part to a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, fall classes are now being formed and TAC is accepting registrations for group learn-to-swim classes for minority school aged children, ages 5 - 18. Julia Herman, TAC Aquatics Manager, will be working with area schools, churches and youth groups to register eligible children and ensure that these children are given every opportunity to learn to be safe in, on and around the water. Here are a few key facts: 46% of parents of at-risk swimmers said they are afraid that their child will drown or become injured by swimming    91% of African-American children will not learn to swim if their parents do not know how    56% Hispanic or Latino children and six out of 10 African-American children are unable to swim    Please contact Julia Herman, TAC Program manager if you or your youth-based organization would like to participate in swim classes, or if you would like to contribute to this important effort. You can also download the Make A Splash Flyer or the Make A Splash Student Application for more information on the program.

September 24, 2008 - RSA Seniors Host Charity Meet for Leukemia & Lymphoma
This time exercising their generosity and organizational skills, the RSA Senior swimmers are set to host the "September Shootout" on Saturday, September 27 at 11 AM at TAC. Over 700 youth and adult swimmers are entered in the meet, and spectators are invited to join in the fun and donate to the cause. 100% of the proceeds taken at the door at this fun-filled western-themed sprint meet will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. All are invited to attend! If you'd like to participate, please contact RSA at 919.859.4881.

May 29, 2008 - Olympic Hopefuls from TAC Partners
With one local swimmer already packing his bags for Beijing, how many other swimmers from TAC's USA Swimming Club Team partners will join him for this summer's Olympics? Only the top two finishers from each event (top 6 for 100 and 200 freestyles) during the US Olympic Trials held in Omaha NE will go to Beijing as part of the US Olympic Team. Raleigh Swimming Association and New Wave Swim Team have a whopping TEN current swimmers or former graduates who now swim collegiately, who will compete at Trials on June 29th for a coveted spot on the US team. RSA congratulates their Olympic Trial (OT) qualifying alumni now excelling in the college ranks: Stephanie Glover (UVA), Will Dove (Auburn), Melanie Roberts (Auburn), Jon Roberts (Minnesota), and Matt McGinnis (Texas) who swam for current Wave Coach Ed Lower while with RSA and YOTA. Matt recently swam on a new American Record (!) setting relay and will swim 2 events in Omaha. The college senior is seeded 10th in the 200 freestyle. Jon, a junior, is seeded 3rd in the 100 Breast behind the current world record holder, Brendan Hansen, resulting from an eye-popping swim in Japan last year. Melanie Roberts, a former Cardinal Gibbons standout, is the Triangle's highest seed (fastest) female at OT's. She is seeded 13th in the 100 breaststroke and will swim 4 different events. Will is a freestyle specialist qualified in the 200 and 400 free, but looks forward to making additional OT cuts in the 200 fly and the 1500 free in upcoming meets. These outstanding swimmers will be joined by current RSA swimmers Torrey Bussey, Sarah Henry and Hannah Caron, each of whom has left their mark by setting team records with RSA this past season. Torrey is a 16 yr. old sophomore from Cary who swam an Olympic Trial qualifying time of 1:11.95 in the 100M breaststroke at this spring's Junior National swim meet in Orlando, Florida. Sarah Henry, a 16 yr. old junior from West Johnston High and US National Junior Team member, is qualified to compete in the 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 200 IM. And she's close - only .02 away - from a fourth swim in the 400IM. *Update: Sarah has in fact qualified as well in the 400IM! She gives her family lots of credit for "getting up in the morning at 4:15 to get her to practice at TAC". They'll be joined by Hannah Caron, a tremendous butterflyer qualified in the 100M fly (1:02.03) and the 200IM. Hannah recently set the NC all-time record for 15-16 yr. olds in the 100 yard fly with a sizzling 54.74, complimenting her 200y 15-16 NC fly record of 1:59.96. The athletes all give lots of credit to their RSA coach Kit Raulerson, recently selected by his coaching peers as the NC Senior Coach of the Year. The girls clearly work and train well together at RSA. While they each have other interests - Hannah is also a gymnast, Torrey a pole-vaulter and Sarah has a passion for astronomy, they're good friends that push each other at practice every day. They'll travel together with Coach Raulerson and look forward to 2 weeks of festivities and excitement at Olympic Trials. New Wave Swim Team is also well represented by their former graduate and current University of Tennessee swimmer Geoffrey Sanders. Geoffrey is a serious freestyler, qualified 37th in the 1500 and 400 meter events. Rob Yeager, a former WAVE swimmer now in Colorado, is qualified in the 200 breast with a time of 2:20.30. We congratulate all these swimmers who make the Triangle one of the strongest areas represented at Trials. All these local athletes hope to join RSA's Tucker Dupree who has already qualified as a member of the US Paralympic Team headed to Beijing. Tucker set three American paralympic records in qualifying for the team! Way to go, Tucker!

May 8, 2008 - Learn and Play at TAC!
New for May, National Aquatic Safety Month, TAC is offering a healthy alternative activity for groups of children ages 5-11. It's called "Learn and Play", and consists of 30 minutes of water safety instruction followed by an hour of open swim / play time. The safety component of the session is structured around the American Red Cross "Whale's Tales" program and provides children with important information and direction for safe behavior in, around or on the water. Each lesson is reinforced with color posters, worksheets, activities and a video featuring "Longfellow" the animated whale. Talk to our Aquatics Manager, Rebecca Williams to help plan the hour long playtime component for your group! Each session can be tailored depending on the age range and aquatic abilities present in the group. Up to 20 swimmers can be accommodated. These sessions serve as a great alternative to or as a compliment to other summer activities for your neighborhood friends, classmates, or other organized groups. All TAC pools can be made available to accommodate your needs. Cost is $5 per child, with a minimum of 10 per group. Contact Rebecca for more information or to arrange your gathering at 919.459.4045 X223. Please call at least two weeks in advance of your desired date.

March 4, 2008 - Water Polo: Now Every Tuesday Night at TAC!
Get your group of friends together, or just stop by the pool on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 for our increasingly popular water polo scrimmages! Due to tremendous response, we now offer water polo EVERY Tuesday through May. All the equipment is here at the pool, making for an easy way for you to get started in this exciting sport. Evenings start with a few drills and practice... then let the games begin! Open to men and women 16 and older. Come and see why water polo is definitely growing here in the Triangle. Each Tuesday more and more folks stop by and join the fun - don't be left out! We've seen a big surge in the number of adults who are once again getting back into playing water polo at the Triangle Aquatic Center. It's a ton of fun and great exercise! Pre-registration is not required, and the cost is $8 for adults, $4 for students with student ID. Additional details can be found in our Programs section.

October 28, 2007 - Triangle Aquatic Center Grand Opening
Over 1000 community swimmers and well-wishers attended TAC's new Michael G. Curran Aquatic Center for the Grand Opening celebration on Sunday, October 28th. After a ceremonial pouring of water, TAC officially welcomed its very first swimmer, 13 year old Stephanie Calleja, who won a free raffle to kick things off. "It felt really, really good", smiled Calleja. "I was just excited I got to go in there!" For TAC organizers and supporters, the swarm of people piling into the pool was the culmination of six years worth of planning. "It's a great day for Cary and Wake County, to have a facility like this open after all these years," said Mike Curran, TAC's volunteer President. "As you can see behind me there's an awful lot of excitement from both children and adults." Guest Speaker, UNC's Sue Walsh, holder of six current world records in Master's Swimming, charmed the audience with stories of her own swimming adventures, and gave a big thumb's up to the pool's location. "How great it is to have the pool so conveniently located next to Cary Towne Center. It's a fantastic location and a beautiful facility!" Other honored guests Tony Gurley, Wake Commissioner, Cary Mayor Ernie McAllister and several Cary Town Council members. "There are tremendous things that can be accomplished when government stays out of the way. And I think this is a case where we certainly saw that happen," said McAllister. All funding for the TAC facility has come from private and corporate donations. With ongoing support from the community, TAC intends to continue its mission to provide additional healthy, aquatic opportunities in other Wake County communities. Guests enjoyed a well-organized day of festivities including music by the Cardinal Gibbons Stage Band, refreshments from the new TAC concession area, giveaways from several vendors who work within the facility, and free swimming in the sparkling new pools. There were lots of oohs and ahhs as families and friends filled the seating area and caught their first glimpse of the three pools. TAC Aquatcs Manager Rebecca Williams reports that programming in the facility has already taken off, and TAC already has several major competitions lined up for the coming swim season. "We'll be busy, but we're looking forward to this much excitement and this many smiling faces every day."

September 16, 2007 - Volunteer Landscape Day
Over 75 shovel and rake wielding members of the local swimming community came out to the TAC site on a cool, sunny Saturday afternoon, September 16th, to plant bushes and trees around the new TAC facility. The large energized group made quick work of the donated topsoil, greenery and pinestraw as they contributed their efforts to one of the final tasks to get the site ready for the Grand Opening on October 28th at 1pm. After the work was done, several folks toured the interior. "Wow" was the word as the group moved from the entry, past the food service area and then finally into the spectator seating area. The interior is always a surprise to first-time visitors, given that the view of the top floor from the outside belies the sizable lower pool level first floor that is tucked nicely into the hillside. Thanks to this type of strong support from our community, the pool is right on schedule to open on October 29th!