The Brays Oaks Management District recently honored the Swim Houston Aquatics Center (ShAC) with an award for their outstanding commitment to the community. This recognition highlights ShAC’s dedication to making Brays Oaks a better place to live, work, and invest. The award was accepted by Karen Seymour, one of ShAC’s dedicated coaches, at the June Board Meeting.

From Surprise to Success: The ShAC Story

Founded in 2016-2017 by coaches Carol and Gilbert Legaspi, ShAC was a surprise project for their three children, who all have competitive swimming and coaching backgrounds. “We had no idea that they were building a swimming facility,” Karen Seymour recalled. “When it was nearly built, they surprised us, saying, ‘We have a swimming facility, and we’re all going to work together.'”

Carol and Gilbert Legaspi have over 30 years of coaching experience each. Their extensive backgrounds in coaching and swimming have been instrumental in shaping ShAC into a premier aquatic facility. This family-owned and operated facility embodies the Legaspi family’s lifelong passion for swimming and coaching. ShAC is centrally located, chosen for its accessibility to families across the greater Houston area. It boasts a nine-lane heated outdoor competition pool with six 25-yard short course lanes and three 50-meter long course lanes. Additionally, it features an indoor teaching and aquatic therapy pool, ensuring year-round swimming opportunities regardless of weather conditions.

Making Waves in the Community

The Brays Oaks District recognized ShAC with the Community Impact Award for their unwavering dedication to the local area. “The award was for our commitment and dedication to making the Brays Oaks District a better place to invest, work, and move,” Seymour noted. The team at ShAC was pleasantly surprised by this recognition, which underscored their positive impact on the community.

Dive into ShAC’s Programs

ShAC offers a wide array of programs designed to meet the needs of the community:

  1. Affordable Swim Lessons: From six-month-old babies to 67-year-old adults, ShAC provides high-quality, affordable swim lessons tailored to different skill levels. “We want our kids to be strong swimmers, able to save themselves if they jump into a pool, and perform well in freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke,” Seymour emphasized.
  2. Competitive Swim Team: ShAC hosts a year-round competitive swim team affiliated with USA Swimming, catering to swimmers aged five to eighteen. One of their standout athletes, Gideon Swan, has nearly qualified for the Olympic trials, showcasing the high level of training and support provided at ShAC. Additionally, professional athlete Simone Manuel, an Olympic gold medalist, also began her swimming career at ShAC, further highlighting the facility’s commitment to developing elite athletes.
  3. Water Aerobics and Private Events: The center also offers invigorating water aerobics classes suitable for all fitness levels and serves as a venue for birthday parties and private events, making it a hub for community engagement and fitness.

International Recognition and Beyond

ShAC’s reputation extends beyond the local community. “We get people from all over the world that swim here,” Seymour shared. “We have an Ashna program from Hungary using our pool for practice and triathletes from around the globe training here before their events.” This international draw further cements ShAC’s status as a top-tier aquatic facility.

Looking Ahead

ShAC continues to build on its legacy of excellence and community service. The center’s programs and facilities are designed to provide a safe, welcoming, and high-quality environment for all swimmers. With the support of the Brays Oaks Management District and the dedication of the Legaspi family, ShAC is poised to make an even greater impact on the Houston community in the years to come.

This recognition by the Brays Oaks Management District is a testament to ShAC’s exceptional contribution to the community, providing high-quality swimming programs and fostering a sense of unity and pride among its members.

For more information about ShAC’s programs and to schedule a visit, please contact them at 713-785-7422 or visit their website at www.swimshac.com. Join the ShAC family today and experience the best in aquatic training and community engagement.