Make a Splash

With summer heat upon us, there’s no better way to keep cool than taking a dip in one of the beautiful lakes in the Mountain Lakes community. Practicing and competing mostly at Birchwood Lake, the Mountain Lakes Summer Swim and Dive team showcases local talent amongst the waves. When not at Birchwood, you can find them taking the plunge at White Meadow Lake, Indian Lake or Cedar Lake.

The swim team is part of Hub Lakes Sports, which started in 1957. Athletes from Mountain Lakes, Boonton, Denville, Rockaway, and Parsippany make up the group. The chair of Hub Lakes Swimming, Michelle Cromwell, is proud to be a part of the organization. “Being the Chair of Hub Lakes Swimming is a role I treasure,” she says. “I know the impact this league has extends far beyond the lane lines. Every summer, we help create memories that swimmers and families carry with them for a lifetime.”

“What makes Hub Lakes so special is the culture of spirit, sportsmanship, and community,” says Cromwell. Our swimmers learn to cheer for one another, support their teammates, and develop a love for the sport that lasts well beyond their competitive years. It is an honor to help preserve these traditions and to be part of a league that has brought generations of families together and continues to shape not just strong swimmers, but great people.”

A Place for Connection

A unique aspect of the league is the inter-community aspect of competing against neighboring towns. From the Borough of Mountain Lakes webpage, “Each summer, Mountain Lakes residents compete with neighboring lake communities in a variety of sports as members of the Hub Lakes League. It is a wonderful opportunity for residents of all ages to participate in a chosen sport and to get acquainted with people from other communities.”

Head Coach Lauren Markowitz, a lifelong resident of Mountain Lakes, enjoys working with the swim team and has many years of experience. “I started competitive swimming at the age of five. That’s also when I joined the Mountain Lakes Summer Swim Team,” she says. “I swam for Lakeland Hills YMCA until the summer going into junior year. Before high school, I also played lacrosse and soccer. Going into junior year, I decided to stop swimming for LHY, and I started rowing for RowNewJersey. I kept swimming for my high school, Newark Academy, and I am going to continue rowing at Colgate University next year.”

Last year, Markowitz was an assistant coach. As this is her first year as head coach, she is grateful to her assistant coaches Max Hann, Serena Dickey, Zoe Wianecki, and Kathryn Walsh. “We all swam for the team over the years,” she says.

Practices begin after school ends, and this summer, the Lakers started swimming on June 22. Having won the championship last year, they’re ready to keep at it and hope to increase numbers. “The last few years, we’ve been a smaller team, but with the group we have, we’ve planned to work hard while also having fun on our fun Fridays and social events,” says Markowitz. “So far, we have about 50 kids with the swim team and PreTeam combined.”

Some of the social events include an Ice Cream Beach Party, Parent Potluck Lunch, Dive Team Awards and Party, Swim Aquathon, Team Photo and Pizza Party, Family Pasta Party for Hub Lakes Swim Championship Weekend, Laker Fun Day for all swimmers, divers and their families, Team Fun Night on Birchwood Beach, Parent Social and The Swimming Awards Ceremony following the Lakeland “A” Championship.

The Mountain Lakes Summer Swim and Dive Association competes within the Hub Lakes Swim League. “Anyone in Mountain Lakes can sign up for either swim or dive or both as long as you pass your beach test,” says Markowitz. “If you haven’t passed the beach test, we also offer PreTeam, which is an hour after swim practice when the coaches teach kids freestyle, backstroke, and tread water in order to pass the test. However, in order to do PreTeam, you have to be able to swim a 25 unassisted. Swimmers aren’t timed for this and can do any type of swim style to get there,” she says.

Markowitz has found coaching gratifying. “Seeing all the kids progress over the summer, especially seeing the swimmers from PreTeam eventually pass their swim test, is very rewarding.” She is grateful for the opportunity to carry the traditions of the team. “The Mountain Lakes Summer Swim Team is more than just a team; it’s a family with people and memories that I will never forget. Growing up on this team has been such an incredible experience, one that I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

For more information, visit the Hub Lakes section of The Borough of Mountain Lakes website: mountainlakes.gov/recreation-department/hub-lakes.

Photographs by Antonietta Henry 

Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four, and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about towns throughout her home state of New Jersey.