30 Jul 2024 Conway group dives into 60th anniversary of the Bob Courtway Swim Meet

Posted at 9:38 PMh in Features by

By Carol Rolf

Many eyes may be on Paris this month, where the 2024 Summer Olympics are underway, but the eyes of many local residents are on Aquakids as the local swimming organization prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Bob Courtway Invitational Swim Meet.

This year’s swim meet will be Oct. 19-20 at the Bob Courtway Pool in the Wellness and Athletic Center at Hendrix College in Conway. This event normally hosts 150 to 300 swimmers.

“This meet is one of the longest-running, if not the longest-running, youth swim meets in the state,” said Melissa Britt, president of Aquakids Board of Directors. “The only year we did not host this meet was in 2020, and that was because of COVID-19.”

Aquakids, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit club, is a year-round youth competitive swim team that began in the summer of 1961 when the late Bob Courtway moved to Conway and joined the faculty at Hendrix College, according to Britt. By 1965, the team had 90 swimmers. Courtway held the first invitational swim meet at Hendrix in January 1962.

The organization’s mission is “to provide a quality aquatics program that promotes physical, social and emotional well-being for all members. Guided by principles of education, training, community, safety and support, we strive to help swimmers of all abilities achieve their highest potential,” Britt said.

Aquakids is a Conway swimming organization for people ages 5 and older who want to learn to swim and compete. The organization hopes to attract new members by Aug. 31 by offering an incentive. Those who join by then will receive free practice in August. Photo by Vivlio Photography

“We are really dedicated to continuing Bob Courtway’s legacy and his belief that all kids should learn to swim,” said Britt, who has been a board member for three years. “We hope to help promote this and work with the city of Conway when it opens the new community center by encouraging members of the community to learn to swim and love it.”

Swimmers aged 5 and older may join Aquakids at any time, but the organization hopes to attract new members by Aug. 31 by offering an incentive, she said. Those who join by then will receive free practice in August. Aquakids now has 125 swimmers, ranging in age from 5 to 54.

Team registration is $100. Swimmers must also join USA Swimming, which is the national governing body for the sport of swimming, at a cost of $30 to $90 a year.

Monthly fees for Aquakids “depend on the training group,” Britt said.

“Swimmers register and then, based on age and ability, the swimmer will be placed in a training group – senior, junior, age group 3, age group 2, age group 1, masters, varsity or swim academy, which is for those who do not know how to swim,” she said. “Monthly fees range from $100 to $145. A swimmer makes a monthly commitment and can quit at any time.”

Swimmers are expected to participate in meets hosted by Aquakids and are encouraged to participate with the team at other meets the team attends. Aquakids hosts three meets a year–the Bob Courtway Memorial Invitational in October, the Winter Sprint in January and the End of School Invitational in May. Meet entry fees range from $35 to $75, depending on the type, location and level of meet. Swimmers and their families are always required to participate in the club’s fundraising efforts.

Brian Gainey, Aquakids’ head coach from 1991 to 1993, has returned as the new interim head coach.

“Swimming has been a large part of my life and has given me so much,” he said. “I started swimming at the age of 6 and swam all the way through to college at Harding University. I learned how to swim at a YMCA in Baton Rouge, La. I was the 1987 Louisiana High School State Champion in the 100 backstroke and the runner-up in the 50 freestyle. I was the 1988 AIC Conference Champion in the 100 backstroke. I hold Harding Swim Team records in the 100 and 200 backstroke and 100 and 200 freestyle. I was on Harding’s last swim team when the team was discontinued after my freshman year. I immediately started working with the Searcy Swim Team as assistant coach. I became the Aquakids head coach in 1991.

“I worked 25 years for Acxiom and took voluntary retirement when I was approached to serve as the Aquakids interim head coach,” he said. “I was approached because I was the Conway Christian School swim coach, coaching since 2019.

“I stepped back into coaching because I wanted to give back to the sport and continue the rich tradition of the Aquakids,” he said. “I think every child—not just in Conway, not just in Faulkner County, but every child—should learn how to swim.”

For more information, email [email protected] or visit aquakidsswimteam.com. Information is also available on Facebook/AquakidsSwimTeam.