Fifty excitable grade-schoolers in colorful bathing suits and matching caps and goggles huddled knee-to-knee in the bleachers at Redwood High School’s big pool.

“All right champs, great to see everybody,” said Marie McSweeney, their Marin Swim League coach. The chatter hushed as she started the team meeting discussing their latest meet.

The youngest Tidal Waves team didn’t win against Sleepy Hollow’s Sea Lions. But they beat their personal best swim times.

“And that’s what we’re all trying to do, right?” she said, to nods and cheers. “Better our times and get our best times.”

Minutes later, after ribbons were distributed, the youths split up into groups by ability and began practicing their kicks, strokes and laps under the watchful eyes of McSweeney and four teenage coaches.

The frie

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