Michael Andrew USA Olympic Swimmer

On July 28 2021, the world was introduced to a USA Olympic swimmer by the name of Michael Andrew. Although present at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo Japan, it wasn't until Wednesday night, July 28 2021, that the world saw this remarkably talented swimmer. We at EZ Pools have had the privelege to help Michael become the amazing swimmer he is ultimately destined to be.

     In the winter of 2008, EZ Pools received a call from a desperate mother in Aberdeen South Dakota. "There are only two 25 meter indoor pools in this area." Tina Andrew explained to us over the phone. "One of them is controlled by a competiting team and the other is open to the public, but every time we try to practice, some one jumps in the lane." She contiunued to explain that her and her husband, Peter, quickly recognized their oldest son was a very gifted swimmer - but they had no way to support his talent.

     Tina in her own right, was a very successful athlete and was a fixture on the UK TV show "Gladiators." Peter, her husband, had been a successful swimmer in the South African Navy. So it was in Michael's blood.

     "How can we help?" We offered. Tina went on to explain that they were looking at an old warehouse that had been used as a dance club. "If we gut the whole building and give you the measurements, can you make a pool to fit?" She asked. The answer is always of course. Every EZ Pool is made to order, which is why we offer so many different options. So they got busy gutting, we got busy making and kept busy building. In the span of two months, in the dead of winter, The Andrew family opened their very own swim club - The Aberdeen Aquaholics. And boy did Michael make it worth the investment.

     With an indoor, heated, 25 yard pool at his disposal, Michael got busy. A year later he set 12 national records in the 10-under age group. "He's a very gifted athlete, " Peter Andrew said. "Right away when we started, I could see he had talent. He's a real blessing." Even other coaches could quickly recognize true atheletic genius in the making. "He's a very gifted child," said Trevor Layden a coach for another team who later become one of Michael Adnrew's coaches. "He's got a great ethic. I saw him break a couple of national records...he's gotten just that much better as he's gone on." And EZ Pools was there to make it possible.