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Hagatna, Gu. (Nov. 27, 2019) \u2013 Manukai Athletics Club is a swim\nteam that was established in 1966. Manukai trains swimmers from ages four to\n21, at varying swimming skill levels while establishing bonds between the team\nmates, coaches and the swim community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The club\npractices at the Agana Pool from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimmers\nat Manukai have the opportunity to excel in the swimming world and participate\nin various non-aquatic activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiantae\nLaguana, 26, a swim coach at Manukai, said that there are four levels in Manukai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Levels one\nand two focus on basic water safety skills and swim techniques, while levels\nthree and four focus on developing the skill acquired from the previous level,\nfor competitive swimmers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nswimmers in levels three and four have opportunities to compete in local swim\nmeets, in competitions at a national level in Saipan and Hawaii, and even have\nthe opportunity to compete at an international level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timothy\nFedenko, the president of Manukai, 53, is the secretary of the Guam Swimming\nFederation and a level-two International Swimming Federation certified coach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fedenko\nsaid swimmers engage in a variety of activities to work different muscles and\nhave a complete training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimmers\nfrom levels three and four also do other activities that differ from their\nusual routine, such as water polo, dry-land training, running and weight\ntraining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head coach\nTakamasa Diaz, 26, states that Manukai is currently trying to coordinate with\nAsahi Onogawa, 25, a top swimmer in Japan, to give the swimmers on Guam the\nopportunity to train in Japan to reach a higher caliber. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training\ncan be taken further, to an even higher level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fedenko\nexplained that if swimmers above the age of 21 want to further their swimming\ncareer, they can do a Master Class, which is offered by the Guam Swimming\nFederation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Master\nClass allows swimmers to be nominated to compete in FINA competitions, the\nOlympics, Micronesian Games, Oceania Swimming Championships, and the South\nPacific Games, if their swimming times meet the criteria set by the Guam\nSwimming Federation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cThey have the opportunity to swim under the\nGuam flag at the Olympics,\u201d Fendenko said. \u201cThat\u2019s their goal.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While one\nof Manukai\u2019s main goals is\nto help swimmers advance their athletic abilities, they also want to strengthen\nthe swimmers\u2019 bonds and friendships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diaz said\nafter Saturday practices, the kids usually go out and eat pizza together, and\nthe coaches grab something to eat together as well. During the last swim meet\nof the year, Manukai has a big party to close off the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laguana\nhighly recommends that everyone learns to swim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cSo when you go with friends or family to the\nbeach, you\u2019re safe and aware of how to be in and around the water,\u201d Laguana\nsaid.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming\nis an important skill to have, but water safety is just as important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cOur goal is to get everyone on Guam to swim,\u201d\nFedenko said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\nwould like further information on Manukai Athletics Club, you can go to the\nAgana Pool from Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and speak to any of the\ncoaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n