Regan Smith puts her young swim club on the map The Lakeville swimmer is the first Olympian to come out of Riptide Swim Club since it opened in 2012. She's created quite a fan club. July 24, 2021 — 5:29pm Text size Copy shortlink:
At the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha last month, it wasn't difficult to pick out the group from Riptide Swim Club in Apple Valley. They were the gaggle of giggling kids clad in pink T-shirts with bright pink Crocs and covered head-to-toe in temporary tattoos. They were the ones there to watch their hometown hero, Regan Smith.
A group of about 40 people, grown-ups and young ones alike, from Riptide traveled to watch Smith in the trials. The 19-year-old Smith, who joined Riptide at age 13, is known for wearing pink Crocs, swim caps and nail polish at competitions, and young fans from the club wanted to emulate their idol.They decorated signs to show their support for Smith and enjoyed red, white and blue Ring Pops after she qualified for the Tokyo Games.