Robert Butker is the new coach of the Haines Dolphins Swim Team.
Butker has five years’ experience team coaching at Twin Lakes Swim Club in Atlanta. He also gave private lessons in Atlanta for two years, and has helped teach infants swimming.
“I love being with kids, swimming and being on the water,” Butker said.. About 38 youths signed up at a team pool party Tuesday, and registration remains open.
Youths ages 5 and up are eligible to participate and the season continues to April. secretary James Alborough.
Butker moved to Haines in November and works in marketing and operational planning for Community Waste Solutions. He told swimmers and parents his two goals are advancing the sport and tailoring it to each swimmer’s ability and needs.
Butker said he would make assessments of swimmers’ abilities in the first few days of the season, then create a practice schedule accordingly. He said he hoped parents would take an active role in the squad. “Parental involvement is key to a successful swimming program.”
Meets in 2012 include Whitehorse Oct. 19-20, Petersburg Nov. 9-11 and Southeast Champs (in Juneau) Dec. 7-9. The Haines Winter Games is Jan. 19-20. For more information, go to http://www.hainesdolphins.org or stop by the pool at 3:30 p.m. weekdays.
“If they show up, that’s the best thing they can do. If they show up in a bathing suit, they can swim a practice and we can get them all set up with paperwork and what they need to do,” Butker said.