HELLO EVERYONE !!!! Here we go the 2023 swim season! First and foremost, welcome back to all our returning swimmers, swim parents, AND, a very big welcome to all the new swimmers and their parents. My name is Pete Hubert and have been part of the Belvidere Barracuda Family for over 12 years and part of the parent board for 8. Now, while I hold the title of president this year, the season would not be a go with out my Vice President Danya Bloch who has done all of her job and most of mine this year!! With out Danya and the parent board; Josh Gallagher – Statistician and Marcia Duryea – Treasurer, this season would probably not happen. I would also like to thank Michelle Pinto and husband Joe for all their work and commitment to the Belvidere Barracudas. Michelle was our secretary, Joe was one of our judges during meets and all their children were Cuda Swimmers for the last few years. They will be missed!

I would like to introduce our Head Coach, Corrine Hill. Corrine was a Cuda swimmer, an experienced competitive swimmer and an assistant coach for the past few seasons. The Barracudas are very excited to have her onboard with us this year! Corrine’s Asst. Coach, Chris Stanski is also a past Cuda swimmer. Our Junior Asst. Coaches, Andrew Durr and Adalyn Bloch, both of whom swim for our team, the Belvidere Barracudas. The parent board is very excited to have these talented swimmers as our Cuda coaches and know the season will be fun and amazing for the swim team.

This season and next season are going to be very exciting. Why? Because next year the Belvidere Barracudas are in line to host the 52nd PJSL Swim Championship Meet! Why this season? Because the Belvidere Barracudas will be Co-Hosting the 51st PJSL Swim Championship Meet with the Bethlehem Blue Sharks at our pool! This is a great opportunity. One it helps the team raise money and two it allows new families to take part and learn from the seasoned families. So, with that being said, we will have a little work ahead of us. 

Now, reminders for the 2023 season. Swimming is unlike any other recreational sport! It CANNOT happen or succeed without every parent’s participation! There are many volunteer positions and jobs to make the season run smooth. Swim Meets alone require 15-20 volunteers. Timers, stroke and turn judges, runners, set up, swim marshal, etc. are all jobs that must be filled in order to hold a regular meet. For the new parents this may feel overwhelming. No worries, after 4 or 5 seasons you will get the hang of it!! Truth be told, swim has been one of the greatest experiences to be part of. The families we have met and friends we have made are amazing! Unfortunately, for my family, this is our last year. My youngest daughter is a senior at Belvidere and attending college next year, so we are going to enjoy every moment possible of this season! Please take part in everything swim has to offer and consider being part of the parent board or volunteer coordinator positions. The most important part of swimming is seeing how excited the swimmers are at the end of a race. They may come in first, maybe they beat their own time, or maybe they were part of the winning team! The accomplishments and their bonds with other swimmers is awesome. 

As the season starts and practices begin next week, more information will be handed out and there will also be a few parent meetings to help go over all the information for the season.  Please register ASAP if you haven't already! 

SWIM FAST!

Pete Hubert

Barracuda President