Federal Way-based Blue Wave Aquatics Masters Swim Team was recently named the Local Club of the Year by United States Masters Swimming (USMS).

“Great clubs provide strength to United States Masters Swimming,” according to a USMS press release. “The Club of the Year Award seeks to recognize clubs that exemplify the core objectives of USMS — to serve, educate, and build the membership. A Local Club is comprised of swimmers who represent their club at all levels of competition. The Club of the Year Award honors a club for more than a single year’s accomplishments.”

Blue Wave Aquatic’s history dates back to 1984 when 15 swimmers banded together to form Federal Way Masters. Membership bumped up in 1990 with the opening of the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

By 2010, the team had grown to 150 members with practice venues in five cities. The expansion meant that Federal Way Masters no longer seemed a good fit, so the name was changed to Blue Wave Aquatics.

Today, the club’s membership has swelled to 290 swimmers, ranging in age from 18 to 65-plus. The club offers free swimming lessons to adults during the year and its members volunteer at local triathlons and other swim events. It welcomes swimmers of all abilities, from world-class to fitness enthusiasts to novices.

Wendy Neely is the head coach of the swim team and Mike Murphy is the club’s president. Other coaches include Rachel Turley, Ann Bettencourt, Hailey MacConaghy, Sharon Wright, Jenn Mesler, Kate Allen and Malcolm Neely.

Swimming venues include KCAC, Federal Way Community Center, Evergreen Community Aquatic Center, Fife Swim Center, Covington Aquatic Center and Sumner/Bonney Lake Aquatics Pool.

U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) is a national organization that provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics and workshops for adults aged 18 and over. Programs are open to all adult swimmers (fitness, triathlete, competitive, non-competitive) who are dedicated to improving their fitness through swimming.

Founded in 1970, the non-profit corporation is organized with over 500 clubs in 52 regions throughout the United States. Membership numbers more than 50,000, with individual members ranging in age from 18 to over 100.

For more information about Blue Wave Aquatics, visit bluewave-aquatics.com.