Every August, the atmosphere surrounding the Long Beach Island Swim Club Championships is electric. But it’s more than a big swim meet with championship ramifications and ribbons to give away.

It’s the culmination of several months of camaraderie, social development, confidence building, technical improvement and just plain fun.

“It’s a blast,” said coach Dan Dreher, the guy who’s guided Haven Beach Club’s swim team to several Island titles during the past five years.