Winn Aung for the Win

Redding Swim Team’s Swimmer Wins National Awards

Winn Aung has spent his sophomore year earning top grades at University Preparatory School in Redding, CA, participating in Science Club, and volunteering at Turtle Bay Museum on the weekends. But Winn really comes to life when he hits the water. Mark Wagner, who has coached the Redding Swim Team since 1996, has seen Winn mature into an incredible swimmer since he had his first swim lessons as a four-year-old.

Awards and Recognitions

Winn won high-point trophies at the Junior Olympics when he was 8, 9, 10 and 12. He picked up high-point trophies at the Far Western swim meet between 2012-2014, and broke six national records in both the 2012-2013 and 2014-2015 seasons. In the past year, out of all 14-year-old boys who swim competitively in the United States, Winn placed 13th for the 50-yard freestyle, 12th for the 200-meter freestyle and 7th for the 100-yard butterfly. Sierra Nevada Swimming named Winn a scholar-athlete, and he was recently selected to attend Diversity Camp in San Diego, an opportunity only offered to one male and one female high-school swimmer in the North State.

With such impressive achievements, Winn could easily let his accomplishments go to his head. But, Mark says, Winn remains humble. Based only on Winn’s attitude, Mark says, “You wouldn’t guess there’s someone this fast from our little swim team in Redding. He’s approachable even for the younger kids.”

Overcoming Obstacles

On July 30, 2016, one day before his 14th birthday, Winn dislocated his shoulder. The injury cost him seven months of recovery and a major surgery to repair his tendons. But for Winn, the injury was simply an opponent to push past. He continued swimming with his good arm and kept participating in drills to maintain the strength in his legs. “We have Distance Camp, where the kids swim tens of thousands of yards a day,” says Mark. “They call it hell week because it’s so hard. It’s hard enough when you can use both your arms and legs. When Winn came, he used only his legs. It’s amazing he won these national awards with only half a year of swimming.”

According to his mother, Mimi Aung, Winn’s competitive spirit drives him to the finish line. Mimi says she and her husband put their children in swim lessons because the many lakes and rivers around Redding make swimming a practical skill and safety precaution. But as soon as Winn started swimming, he began competing against his older brother Alex.

Frustrated at repeatedly losing, Winn decided to try soccer. When the soccer year ended, all the children received a trophy. “This is nice,” Mimi told her son, “But you didn’t earn this. All the parents gave money to the coach, and he bought it for each of you. If you really want your own trophy, you have to earn it.” Winn returned to the water and began living up to his name, winning trophies he could truly call his own.

Practice, Practice, Practice

In practice time alone, Winn spends about 15 hours a week in the pool. His morning practice starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at 7 a.m. At 3:15 p.m., he heads back for another practice before coming home to finish his homework. “It really teaches kids time management,” Mimi says. “They have to be wise with their time and do a lot of work ahead of time.” Mark agrees, noting the discipline kids learn in swimming translates well to the discipline they will need to hold jobs in the future. Mark describes swimming as both a “cognitive” and a “social” sport. Kids learn about nutrition, muscle anatomy, physiology, and to keep count of strokes while also keeping an eye on the clock. They also learn to support each other through struggles and successes, creating a tight-knit social community.

Mark says he does not like to put pressure on his swim students, but he believes Winn could have a shot at the Olympics, especially considering Winn’s stellar performance after missing months of training due to his injury. Whether or not Winn dives into global competition, he plans to continue swimming through high school and college, making waves in the North State and across the country.

Consider These Special Swim Programs

Butte County

Chico AquaJets & Mini Jets
In Motion Fitness
1293 East 1st Avenue, Chico
(530) 475-2272
Ages: 5 & up
Cost: $36-$105
Year-round swim team, all levels welcome. Instruction & competitive opportunities locally & nationally, plus a fun non-competitive swim program during the summer.

Chico Area Swims
Sycamore Pool at One-Mile Recreation Area
Bidwell Park – Vallombrosa Way
(530) 895-4711
May 26-Sep 3
Pleasant Valley Pool
2320 North Ave.
(530) 895-4703
Jun 9–Aug 12
Seasonal swim lessons, lap swim, family open swim.
General Admission $3, $2 for seniors.

Durham Dolphins
Dwight Brinson Pool
9445 Midway, Durham
(530) 321-5543
Ages: 6-18 Competitive
Cost: varies
Session: May-Aug
Mini Dolphins program for ages out-of-diapers to 6 yrs & a competitive swim team for ages 6-18 yrs. The program provides a challenging & fun environment while promoting goal setting, life skills & sportsmanship through the sport of competitive swimming.

Durham Recreation & Park District Swim Lessons
Dwight Brinson Pool
9445 Midway, Durham
Ages: 6 months & up
Cost: $41-$75
Sessions: Jun-Aug
DRPD Aquatics program offers a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate swim lesson program that teaches you, your child, or other family members to swim skillfully and safely.

Gridley Gators
Gridley Pool
199 E Hazel St., Gridley
(530) 713-4975
Ages: 4-18
Cost: $85.75-$660
Session: May-Aug
Seasonal swim team with the purpose of developing strong competitive swimmers & instilling a strong sense of team unity & sportsmanship while providing a fun learning environment.

Oroville Orcas Swim Team
Nelson Pool
2280 6th St., Oroville
(530) 990-6071
Ages: 4-18
Cost: $150 & up
Session: May-Aug
An organization whose mission is to provide swimmers with coaching & training for competitive swimming. Encourages self-esteem, sportsmanship & health/wellness.

Paradise Piranhas
Fit One
6854 Pentz Rd., Paradise
(530) 877-3764
Ages: 5-18
Cost: $25 registration + $55 & up
Session: Seasonal competitive swim team offering high-quality professional coaching & technique instruction to all ages & abilities with the goal of providing every member an opportunity to improve their skills & achieve success.

North Valley Swim School
In Motion Fitness
1293 East 1st Ave., Chico
(530) 343-5678
Ages: 6 months-Adult
Cost: $40-$100
Sessions: May-Aug
Year-round swim program, all levels welcome. Chico’s only comprehensive swim school, encompassing your child’s swim experience from infant/toddler lessons to the pre-swim team. Children can focus better, learn new skills, and relax more easily in warm water. Our pool is kept at 92˚- 96˚.

Swim Pool Program
Terry Ashe Recreation Center
6626 Skyway, Paradise.
(530) 872-6393
All ages
Cost: Starting at $3
Open Daily: Jun- Aug
(except July 6-8)
Recreational swim, swim instruction, private rentals & a variety of classes. Swim instruction scholarship for kids 3-5.

Water Sprites Swim School
2280 Ivy St., Chico
(530) 342-2999
Ages: 2 months & up
Cost: $58 + $25 Registration
Sessions: Year-round
Our curriculum is carefully crafted to incorporate child development principals with proven classroom strategies. We won’t introduce skills until a child is physically and emotionally ready. We believe in achievement awards (ribbons) as a motivator for success. Our ribbon levels are arranged to mimic a child’s natural physical progression in the pool.

Shasta County

Anderson Aquagators Swim Club
West Valley High School Pool
3805 Happy Valley Rd., Cottonwood
(530) 515-6414
Ages: 5-18
Cost: Contact for more info
Session: May-Aug
A non-profit club that works to develop, promote, foster & improve amateur competitive swimming.

Redding Aquatic Center
44 Quartz Hill Rd
(530) 245-7248
All ages
Cost: Swim lessons begin at $30 & up
Open: Weekends May 26-Sep 2; Daily beginning June 11
Spring & summer swim lessons, public swim, party rentals, special events. Waterama special event, May 25, 5-7 pm, free.

Redding Summer Ducks Swim Team
Redding Aquatic Center, Shasta High School, and Enterprise High School
(530) 246-2666
Ages: 4-18
Cost: $129-$189
Session: May-Aug
Year-round competitive swim program that values sportsmanship & friends, integrity, commitment & developing skills for each swimmer. Offers adult programs & summer fun.

Sun Oaks Aquatic Racing (SOAR)
Redding
(530) 221-4405
Ages: 7-18
Cost: $175-$200
Session: Year-round
USA registered year-round competitive swim team offering high-quality professional coaching & technique instruction for all ages & abilities. The goal of our team is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills & achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor.

Sun Oaks Swim Lessons
Redding
(530) 221-4405
Ages: 6 months & up
Cost: $25 & up
Sessions: June-Aug
We offer Parent-Tot Classes starting at 6 months, Toddler Classes for 2-year-olds & Small Group Classes for ages 3 & up. Private & Semi-Private lessons are available upon request.

Swim America
Redding Aquatic Center, Shasta High School, and Enterprise High School
(530) 246-2666
Ages: 6 months & up
Cost: $35-$150
Session: May-July
Sessions include 4 days of instruction, 30 minutes per day Mon–Thurs.

Siskiyou County

South Siskiyou Swim Team
Weed Community Pool,
450 College Ave, Weed
SSSTClub@gmail.com
(530) 925-2949
Ages: Youth-18 yrs.
Cost: $50 registration + $75
Session: Jun-Aug
This new team offers competitive & recreational swim instruction for youth to 18 yrs.

Weed Recreation & Parks District
Weed Community Pool
450 College Ave., Weed
(530) 938-4701
Ages: Whole Family
Cost: Varies
Sessions: June-August
The Weed Recreation District’s Learn-to-Swim program offers instruction in a variety of group classes (ages 3 & up) as well as private lessons. Lessons are taught at the Weed Community Pool, located in Bel-Air Park-College Avenue. The objective of our swim lesson program is to equip students with basic water safety skills & knowledge in order to make them safe in, on, and about the water.

Dunsmuir Recreation & Parks District
4841 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir
(530) 235-4740
Ages: Whole Family
Cost: Varies
Sessions: June-August
The renovated, naturally heated, Dunsmuir Community Pool is the largest swimming pool in Siskiyou County. In addition, the pool hosts swim lessons, adult water aerobis classes, and adult lap swim during periods when it is closed for regular swim activities. The pool may also be rented out for private parties and events for a moderate fee.

Private Swim Lessons with Kelly McRee
The Wellness Center, Lake Siskiyou,and Castle Lake in Mount Shasta
inspiregratitude@gmail.com
Ages: Kids or Adults
Cost: $40 1/2 hour lesson
Sessions: June-Sept.
In the summer months of June-Sept. I offer swimming lessons in Lake Siskiyou or Castle Lake in Mount Shasta. During fall and spring I offer group and private lessons at the Wellness Center in Mt. Shasta.

Tehama County

Red Bluff Tritons
Email
(530) 529-2661
Age: 5-18
Cost: $145.75 & up
Session: May-Aug
Provides a fun & safe environment for swimmers to better their skills in competitive swimming.

McGlynn Pool
Red Bluff Community Center
1500 South Jackson St., Red Bluff
(530) 527-7211
Age: Whole Family
Cost: $1-$100
Session: June-Aug
Swim lesson classes are taught by Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructors at the McGlynn Pool. Each class must have a minimum of 3 participants.

Glenn County

Orland Otters Swim Team
Orland Community Pool
Roosevelt Ave, Orland
(530) 624-7594
Ages: 5-18
Cost: $150/swimmer
Session: May-Aug
A non-profit, parent-led, multi-age competitive swim team, providing a family-friendly and fun environment that encourages team unity and sportsmanship. Our experienced coaches train youth ages 5-18 in achieving swim success. The season runs May-August with opportunities for an extended season and year-round competition.

Orland City Pool
Roosevelt Ave.
(530) 865-1631
All ages
Cost: Daily swim fee $2; swim lessons $45 & up
Day swim, family swim, swim lessons & private parties.

Willows Hydro Jets
Willows High School Pool
203 N. Murdock Ave., Willows
(530) 934-7956
Ages: 5-18
Cost: $225 +
Session: May-August
The Willows Hydrojets organization, partnering with Nor-Cal Aquatics, provides comprehensive aquatics programs for swimmers of all ages. We welcome your interest in our programs!