A whole-person approach to coaching
Year-round swimming in Jacksonville
SwimRise Aquatics is a year-round USA Swimming and US Masters Swimming program in the Jacksonville area, swimming at the UNF Aquatic Facility, a 50 meter Olympic size pool. SwimRise provides athletes a well-rounded experience in developing and training all four strokes and caters to swimmers of all ages and abilities. SwimRise is dedicated to offer the area’s youth the opportunity to participate in the sport of swimming to build confidence in and out of the water. Our program emphasizes a whole-person approach to coaching.
Elite training, life-long skills
Our mission at SwimRise Aquatics is to encourage elite level training and life-long skills in the water and in the community. SwimRise Aquatics takes a ‘whole-person approach’ to coaching by maintaining a daily rhythm to training and mentality. Rising each morning to pursue goals, empowered by trust and resilience.
When properly supported, the power of participating in sports fosters confidence, discipline, and leadership. These strengths are then carried into the classroom, community, and their future roles in the world.
Together we rise
Our mission as an inclusive athletic program is to develop programs that foster independence and confidence for neurodiverse athletes and those with disabilities. Our goal is to provide opportunities to swim in a safe and inclusive team environment.
Our Summer League Team, The Starfish, welcomes neuro-diversity and swimmers of all abilities by tailoring the training to your child’s individual needs. We provide buddies in the water or on the pool deck and flotations to be more inclusive both at practice and at home meets.
The five pillars of SwimRise
These are not posters on a wall. They set what we ask of coaches, of athletes, and of parents at home.
Community
A social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share common rules, and often have a common cultural and historical background.
At SwimRise Aquatics it is our mission to engage the community in events that support diversity, equity, and inclusion through swimming. With an Advisory Board and parent led committees, we will enhance communication and prioritize our values through shared common goals. Transparent communication will be at the foundation of our efforts in collaboration among coaches, parents and athletes.
Resilience
The ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, adversity, or major life changes.
At SwimRise Aquatics we believe in training the "whole athlete". This means not only prioritizing physical training, but also addressing the mental well being. This is essential for competitive success and more importantly for the overall development of the swimmer. We will teach the habits necessary to avoid burnout and injury including proper nutrition, rest and recovery, and mentorship.
Trust
Belief in something as true, trustworthy.
At SwimRise Aquatics we will build trust between coach and athlete through goal setting. We will focus on the process, teaching and learning valuable lessons regardless of the outcome. Trusting the process will put our swimmers in the best position possible for positive outcomes. As parents, it is your responsibility to trust your child’s coach and act as a positive reinforcement at home. It is our goal that focusing on process will develop confident individuals both on deck and in the community.
Discipline
An activity, exercise or regimen that develops or improves a skill; training.
At SwimRise Aquatics athletes will be held to a high standard of discipline. This will include their commitment to the training schedule, recovery, nutrition, and community engagement. Trusting the coaches’ direction and being disciplined throughout quality training will allow for overall development and improved performance. The team culture will instill values in punctuality and overall consistency.
Empowerment
The giving or delegation of power or authority. The giving of an ability, enablement, or permission.
At SwimRise Aquatics, athletes will be empowered in their own development through personal goal setting, leadership opportunities, and a growth mindset mentality. At home, we expect parents to support this mission by encouraging your child to communicate with their coach to build independence, confidence, and self esteem. Supporting this self authorship will help foster your child’s love of the sport beyond high school.
UNF Aquatic Facility
SwimRise Aquatics swims year round at UNF’s athletic complex, which includes a 50-meter Olympic-size concrete pool along with an LED scoreboard and competition timing system. Along with the SwimRise coaches, there are two lifeguards on deck at all times.
Located behind the Student Wellness Complex and adjacent to the Softball Stadium and the Field House.
Where our swimmers go next
SwimRise swimmers go on to race in college. Here are some of the programs our athletes have committed to.
Caroline MacDonald
Florida State University
Elle Loehr
Florida Atlantic University
Brody Singley
Florida Atlantic University
Chase Kendall
University of Cincinnati
Merrick Vanscoy
University of Hawaiʻi
Kinsey Yarbrough
Queens University of Charlotte