Fast like a Barracuda

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin O'Shea
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  In 1973, the Lakenheath Barracudas swim team was born and began using their fins to swim around Europe pool by pool.

The European Forces Swim League is comprised of British and American communities throughout the European region, who compete against other teams who are a part of the EFSL. One of these teams is the Lakenheath Barracudas.

"Our youngest swimmer is 7, and [they age] all the way to 19," said Sharon Yancey, Lakenheath Barracudas Swim Club president.

Head Coach Laurel Greszler volunteers and dedicates her free time to coaching the team, ensuring they perform the best they can during practice and competitions. This is her first year as head coach of the Lakenheath Barracudas, but her 10th year coaching swim.

"If we didn't have those people who were willing to step up and coach, the team would just fold," Yancey said.

The swim team's season runs from August to February, and practices are held nearby at Royal Air Force Honington's new indoor pool facility. The team is comprised of 35 American and British swimmers who attend practice weekly to prepare for competitions which are held throughout Europe.

"We are the only EFSL team here in England, so we compete against anybody in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy and Spain," Yancey said.

Not only does the swim club provide good exercise and is a healthy activity for children to partake in, but it also provides many travel opportunities.

"It's a great cultural opportunity for the kids," Yancey said. "They have to swim, but we always try to go a day ahead so we get a lot of travel and culture in."

Considering practices are held after school hours, the swimmers must be disciplined when it comes to their academics, and balance extra-curricular activities with their school work.

"It's been my experience as a school teacher, that most athletes are more dedicated in their academics," Yancey said. "To be a swimmer or to play any sport, you must be disciplined because a chunk of your time is taken up."

Parents often encourage their children to participate in sports to inspire interaction with other children and help improve their team-building and leadership skills.

"All sports enrich children's lives, socially as well as physically, but also mentally," said Greszler. "Swimming in particular is a short lesson in long-term commitment."

Due to the amount of time the team spends together during practice and traveling, they tend to become close with one another and form a family within their swim team.

"Because we are away and overseas, this swim club becomes your family," Yancey said. "This becomes your friends and your community."

The swimming facility at RAF Honington has only been open a few weeks and provides the Barracudas a free facility to practice and compete in. The pool is mainly used as a Regional Rehabilitation Unit, which provides musculoskeletal rehabilitation services for the personnel stationed there.

The Lakenheath Barracudas will host their first home meet at RAF Honington, Oct. 4, where they will be competing against four teams of approximately 100 swimmers in the EFSL. The team usually has three home meets per season and the rest of their meet schedules can be found on the Lakenheath Barracudas website, http://barracudas.moonfruit.com.