Unstoppable in the Water: The SAS Aqua Eagles
At Shanghai American School, the aquatics program is more than just a series of swim lessons or competitions. It is a thriving, high-performance community that begins in early childhood and builds toward international achievement.
“Our aquatics program is comprehensive and inclusive,” said Ryan Layt, Puxi Head of Aquatics. “From elementary to high school, students participate in swim classes where they learn fundamental swimming skills, water safety, and gain exposure to lifelong aquatic activities.”
For students with a passion for competition, the Aqua Eagles swim team program begins as early as Grade 2. With more than 400 Aqua Eagles, the team trains year-round and guides athletes through a purposeful and personalized training progression.
“Our students train from August through June and compete in every major regional meet of the year,” said Alex Miladinovski, Pudong Head of Aquatics. “They develop not only as athletes but as resilient, focused individuals who learn to manage time and pressure in and out of the pool.”
“Our swimmers benefit from world-class facilities, like two indoor, climate-controlled 25-meter pools equipped with professional timing systems and digital media displays, and coaching that rivals professional training environments,” said Mr. Layt. “We also host and attend international meets in locations like Singapore, Thailand, Manila, and Hong Kong, giving our athletes the exposure and experience they need to thrive.”
This year alone, the Aqua Eagles competed in 20 meets with standout performances at every level. At the APAC Swimming Championships in Manila, both SAS campuses placed in the top three. Several swimmers even broke APAC records. At the Shanghai Swim League Championships, which featured over 800 swimmers from 24 international schools, SAS finished first and second overall.
Grade 6 Aqua Eagle Victoria D. shared, “The meets are so exciting. Walking to the blocks, hearing your teammates cheer when you flip turn - it’s those moments that made me realize swimming is a team sport, not just an individual one.”
Juniors Haohan W. and Gabrielle S. have grown up in the program, joining in Grade 2 and Grade 5 respectively. Gabrielle reflected on what makes the Aqua Eagles community so special. “It is a vibrant and competitive environment where I feel constantly challenged to grow and improve. Over the years, I have built friendships across grades and learned how to lead through both success and adversity.”
Haohan W. added, “The Aqua Eagle community is a tightly knit family. I’ve learned that a great swimmer isn’t just defined by results but by their humility, teamwork, and perseverance.”
A unique kind of grit and growth is common among Aqua Eagles. Many swimmers go on to compete at the university level, with recent graduates swimming for prestigious institutions such as Brown, Yale, and Stanford.
Every lap, every meet, and every shared moment between teammates contributes to the enduring legacy of the Aqua Eagles. And for our swimmers, there is no finish line in sight. Only the next challenge and the next opportunity to soar.
