The Idea

Contra Costa County sits in the East Bay of San Francisco. It is the epicenter of summer recreational swimming.

Each summer approximately 10,000 kids between the ages of 4 and 18 participate in swimming at 56 small, local clubs. I’m told there is nothing comparable in the United States. If you know of something, I’d love to hear about it.

My kids have been part of this for the last 12 years. At the final awards ceremony for our team last year, I thought, “There is an incredible story here that spans generations. Someone should make a documentary film about it.”

I guess that’ll be me. I want to create a documentary that will explore the unique culture around “rec” swimming, what it means to the community, and the lifelong impact it has on the kids who participate.

This blog will be a journal of my experience making that film, a log of the progress and a way to reach out for support in all its forms. Want to follow along? Join the community using the form at the bottom of this page.