Walking into the Fairhope Recreation Center Pool on a Tuesday morning during the Fairhope Area Swim Team, aka FAST practice, I am stimulated by the sights and sounds of approximately 350 kids in matching team swimsuits, swimming laps. There are eight lanes with coaches on each side, loudly giving instructions to swimmers aged 7 to 17 years. 

It is hot, steamy, and noisy, with parents sitting in portable chairs watching the 3-hour practice and lifeguards on raised chairs, making sure everyone is safe in the water. I am there because I have heard FAST is the largest swim team in the state, and Cathy Hudson, the head coach, wanted me to see it firsthand.

When I arrive, Coach Cathy is training a group of 7 to 10-year-olds, which she says is the largest age group on the team. Practicing their strokes and building endurance, she coaches their technique with enthusiasm and care. Needless to say, she has a wonderful way with children. During the school year, she teaches PE at Fairhope West Elementary School and also coaches the Fairhope High School Swim Team. For the last 20-plus years, she has been the head coach for FAST. 

“At the elementary school, I encourage kids to try this sport, just like they would try soccer, basketball, or baseball. They won’t know that they may be good at it until they try. Also, in this area with so much water, I think it's important to be a strong swimmer.”

Swim Team practices 5 days a week for 10 weeks during the summer and after observing practice, it is safe to say, all will be strong swimmers, some will win swim meets, some will get scholarships to swim at college and some will come back in the summer to be coaches, Cathy explains that most all of her 16 coaches have come through the program and return each summer to work with the kids. 

“Besides teaching swim skills, we are also training coaches. I meet with them 30 minutes before each practice to set goals and intentions for the practice, and afterward, we meet to share what is working and what isn't, so they are learning from each other as well.”

Cathy grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, and swam with the YMCA and the Jefferson Swim League. She swam at Virginia Tech, where she received her degree in Physical Education. After college, she went to Dayton, Ohio, where she coached for the Phillips Aquatic Club and grew their team from 50 participants to 180. She must have a knack for growing teams, as it is true that under her tutelage, Fairhope has the largest team in the state, with 370 members. 

“When my family came to Fairhope, one of my coworkers at school suggested I sign my son and daughter up for the swim team. I would go to the practices and sit quietly, not saying a thing. Over time, I got to know the coach, Brittany Hoover, and she figured out that I knew something about the sport and asked me to be a coach. When she left, I took over the program, and here I am, 20-plus years later.” 

I ask her what has changed since she first started. “ We used to keep time with stop watches and write the time on an index card, now we have Touch Pads, just like Olympic Swimmers use. It is an electronic system that sends the time data immediately to a computer. She credits the Board of Directors, led by Gerry Marlowe, as the guiding force behind the success of the team. It's funny, but when I talked to Gerry, he said Coach Cathy was the reason the program was so successful. Their feelings are mutual.

Gerry said, “Coach Cathy’s connection to the swim community has reached far and wide, and the support of the city has been a tremendous asset. Our board, who are all volunteers, works really hard all year round and is constantly tweaking and improving things. “ The Board funds the program by structuring fees paid by participants and soliciting sponsorships from local businesses. Imagine having to order 370 swimsuits!

Gerry goes on to say that there are only a few pools in Baldwin County, with the best being in Fairhope and Gulf Shores. “ Our swim meets are big events. Next week, we will host five teams that will bring in about 700 people. Our volunteers work concessions and make sure everything runs smoothly.” Gerry says none of this would be possible without the support of the City of Fairhope and the Recreation Board. “ The City lets us use the pool every morning from 8 to 11 am and provides lifeguards for all events and practices. Safety is our top priority.” Just like Coach Cathy, Gerry has been volunteering and leading the FAST Board since his kids started swimming 18 years ago.

Cathy Hudson and Gerry Marlowe are a great team, and with the help of the City, have facilitated an incredible recreational swim program. As part of the Gulf Coast Area Aquatic League, they compete against many other Baldwin County teams. Both emphasized that the team is very inclusive, and they invite everyone to join, not only Fairhope swimmers. 

Cathy notes,” We give a swim test at the beginning. Kids must be able to swim across the pool, hold their breath, and listen and follow directions. If they can do this, they can be on the team. “ Cathy is aware that it is Summer Vacation and doesn't expect every child to come every day.” Of course, the swimmers will get more out of it the more they come, but missing a practice isn't a problem.” 

After she finishes with her 7 - 10-year-old group, in comes the 5 and 6-year-olds. She sits them on the bleachers and gives them instructions, and because this seems to be a family affair, Gerry’s daughter, Emma, takes the little ones into the pool. They swim for 45 minutes, which Cathy says is just right for their age. Cathy’s daughter, Olivia, also a part of this swim family, helps coach the High School team with her mother. By promoting the development of the sport of swimming, this program is continually growing, improving, and giving young people a fun, healthy outlet, which will benefit them for life. Thanks to Cathy and Gerry, Fairhope has another feather in its cap. 

Check out their website Fairhopefast.org, or visit them on Facebook