Nantucket Community Pool Unveils New Starting Blocks

The Nantucket Community School revealed on Monday that new starting blocks have been installed at the Nantucket Community Pool, marking a significant upgrade to the facility's competitive swimming equipment.

“I am very grateful to the school facilities department for helping to get this project completed,” Isabelle Roberts, Aquatics Coordinator at the Nantucket Community Pool, said. “It has been a long time coming, and to see the physical blocks in place makes me feel beyond excited for the future of fast swimming at our pool.”

The six new Kiefer Riptide starting blocks will replace blocks that had been in place for over 25 years and will feature modern technology designed to improve swimmer performance and safety while providing athletes with a training experience comparable to competitive swimming facilities across the country.

The blocks feature adjustable wedges for more powerful starts, grab rails for improved control, and non-slip textured platforms for added safety and stability. These enhancements will help swimmers develop their skills and better prepare for competition.

“I’m so happy to finally see new starting blocks installed at our pool,” Grant Beebe, Nantucket Aquatics Head Swim Coach, said. “This renovation means the world to our current swimmers and will play a huge role in the development of Nantucket swimmers for generations to come.”

Customized to reflect Nantucket's swimming community, the blocks feature a navy and gray color scheme and incorporate both the Whalers and Nantucket Aquatics Swim Team logos. The design celebrates the pool's local swimming programs while emphasizing durability and functionality.

The Community School said in a release that the installation represents an investment in the future of competitive swimming on Nantucket, providing local athletes with modern equipment to support their training and continued development.