Swim meets are among some of the longest sporting events in the world. While cricket games can last anywhere from three to five days, a swim meet can feel like it lasts an eternity and drag on, in some cases, for six or seven hours.

The average sports fan may not fully appreciate the spectacle, but swimming undoubtedly offers one of the easiest and most effective ways at keeping youth active and a local swim club is among one of the best at doing so.

This week, East Carolina Aquatics was recognized by USA Swimming as a top swim club in the United States, becoming only one of six clubs in North Carolina history to achieve such a high rank. The award was based on the clubs ability to demonstrate “a commitment to long-term growth, development and stability.”

Based out of Greenville, East Carolina Aquatics is a club with over 400 swimmers from Washington, Greenville, Cape Carteret and Morehead City.

Washington resident Scott Pake, brother of Pam Pack head swim coach Spencer Pake, is the current president of East Carolina Aquatics, volunteering his time to organize massive swim meets. Some of Washington’s best swimmers, including junior Megan Baldwin, spend their offseasons working with the volunteers at East Carolina Aquatics, a non-profit organization.

Volunteers like Pake who have a unique passion for swimming deserve credit all around for their work at East Carolina Aquatics. They not only provide kids a fun, healthy and entertaining way to stay fit, but have built some of the top swimmers in the area, including Washington’s Emily Pfeiffer, who won a NCHSAA State Championship in 2012.