SAVANNAH, Ga. — The city’s Aquatic Center was filled with the sound of splashes and cheering the weekend of July 11–12 as Savannah hosted the 2026 Peach State Championships, a two-day long-course meet that drew age-group swimmers from across the region.
Local programs and visiting teams converge
The competition featured swimmers across age brackets — including under-10 participants — representing a mix of Savannah-area squads and visiting teams. Several local clubs that use the Aquatic Center were on deck alongside programs from across Georgia and neighboring South Carolina.
- Local representation included three Savannah-area teams that regularly train at the Aquatic Center.
- Visiting teams came from Macon and Augusta, among other Georgia cities.
- A team from Beaufort, South Carolina, also competed, reflecting the meet’s regional draw.
- Additional entrants included Kings Bay’s Boomers and Coming Waves from north of Atlanta.
For many athletes, the meet was a late chance to secure qualifying times ahead of statewide age-group championships. The meet’s organizers described this Peach State stop as the long-course edition of the championship held in Savannah for the first time, offering swimmers a new competitive opportunity on a 50-meter course.
Coaching perspective and competitive stakes
"Peach State is kind of a pre-meet right before age group state. A lot of kids are making their final state qualifying times,"
said Head Coach Bill Forrester, who noted the meet’s role in finalizing entries for the upcoming state tournament. Forrester also highlighted the geographic mix of teams that traveled to Savannah to compete.
| Team | Home City/Area |
|---|---|
| Three local Aquatic Center teams | Savannah |
| Macon team | Macon, Ga. |
| Augusta team | Augusta, Ga. |
| Beaufort team | Beaufort, S.C. |
| Kings Bay Boomers | Kings Bay area |
| Coming Waves | North of Atlanta |
Community impact and next steps
Bringing the long-course Peach State Championships to Savannah offered local swimmers exposure to a higher-level meet format without traveling far from home. That convenience matters to families balancing school and summer training schedules and helps solidify Savannah’s role as a regional host for youth aquatic sport. Athletes who achieved qualifying times at the meet will move forward to their respective state-age championships, keeping the city connected to the broader pipeline of Georgia competitive swimming.
The event also provided an opportunity for local coaches and program staff to evaluate talent ahead of the state tournament and to strengthen competitive ties with clubs across the region. For Savannah parents and supporters, the weekend was a concentrated showcase of emerging swimmers and a reminder of the city’s facilities and capacity to host meets that draw visitors from neighboring communities.
