Preparing for Competitive Swimming: A Q&A With Cullette Sommers

For families with advanced swimmers, the transition from lessons to competitive swimming can feel like a big leap. Understanding when a child is ready, what preparation looks like, and how to ease that transition matters.

That’s why we sat down with Cullette Sommers, longtime swim professional and General Manager with Emler Swim School in Oregon. Cullette has spent decades in and around competitive swimming and works closely with families whose swimmers are ready for the next level.

If your swimmer is interested in stroke refinement, endurance, or swim team preparation, this interview offers valuable insight.

Key Takeaways for Parents of Advanced Swimmers

Before diving into the full interview, here are a few highlights:

• Competitive swimming is about confidence, technique, and readiness, not rushing

• Recreational and prep-based swim teams help bridge the gap between lessons and full competition

• Not every swimmer wants or needs high-level competition, and that’s okay

• The right environment builds skills, endurance, and a love for the sport

Q&A With Cullette Sommers

How did you first get involved in swimming?

Cullette’s journey began with a simple family rule, kids had to choose an activity and stay active. After trying several sports, she committed to competitive swimming at age 10 and joined the Sandpipers in Las Vegas.

That experience shaped her love for the sport, not just the racing, but the training, teamwork, travel, and sense of community that swimming offers.

“Community is what the swimming world is all about,” she shared.

How did you find your place with Emler?

After spending more than 25 years in hospitality, Cullette found herself at a crossroads when the pandemic closed her restaurant. During that time, she kept noticing Emler Swim School, first in her daily commute, then again on LinkedIn.

She applied for a General Manager role, interviewed, and quickly felt aligned with Emler’s mission and people.

Today, swimming is a family affair. Her children work as swim instructors and team managers, and together they’ve helped grow advanced swim programming in Oregon.

How does Emler support swimmers interested in competition?

While Emler’s core focus is on swim lessons, many families don’t realize we also offer recreational and preparatory swim team pathways designed to support advanced swimmers.

Cullette describes this stage as a transition:

• Swimmers move from 30-minute lessons to longer practices

• Instruction shifts toward drills, stroke technique, endurance, and pacing

• Kids learn to share lanes, follow sets, and work as a team

Equally important, parents are supported through the process with regular check-ins and guidance on next steps.

Why consider a recreational or prep team after completing lessons?

For swimmers who have completed advanced lesson levels, programs like Emler’s swim team pathway help prepare kids for what comes next, without overwhelming them.

Swimmers learn:

• How swim meets work, including heats and lane assignments

• Basic race structure and timing

• How to practice consistently and build endurance

These programs give swimmers confidence and familiarity before trying out for larger, year-round teams.

In Oregon, Cullette has seen swimmers move from Emler’s program directly into local USA Swimming teams, with some qualifying for state meets in their first season.

What advice do you give families considering competitive swimming?

Cullette encourages parents to slow down and ask questions.

Transitioning from small-group lessons to a large competitive team can feel overwhelming for kids. Recreational prep programs allow families to test the waters while building skills and confidence.

She also reminds families that competition isn’t the goal for everyone.

“Not every kid wants to compete, and that’s okay,” she said. “If they love swimming, there’s still a place for them.”

Parents should ask about:

• Practice and attendance expectations

• Meet requirements and flexibility

• Time commitment for the family

Swimming is both an individual and team sport, and the relationships built along the way often last for years.

“Swimming is a community sport,” Cullette shared. “Be ready to be part of a really big family.”

Ready for the Next Step in Swimming?

For families with advanced swimmers, the right progression matters. Whether your child is refining strokes, building endurance, or preparing for competitive swimming, Emler offers pathways designed to support that growth at the right pace.

Next steps:

• Explore our swim team and advanced training programs

• Learn more about stroke development and competitive prep

• Talk with your local Emler team about readiness and next-level options

👉 Learn more about Emler swim team programs