SOUTH HADLEY — Eric Castonguay’s swimming knowledge began and ended with a single Springfield College class: Water Safety Instructor.

Yet there he was Tuesday on the Michael E. Smith Middle School pool deck, stopwatch in hand.

He’s coaching the South Hadley boys and girls swim teams and learning the sport on the job.

“He’s starting to get a hang of it,” South Hadley junior Nate McClure said.

The Tigers needed a coach after Michelle Bussiere moved to Arizona.

“A couple days before Thanksgiving break (South Hadley athletic director Tad Desautels) was like, ‘can you bail me out here?’” Castonguay said.

He coaches the Tigers boys soccer team and junior varsity baseball team and teaches physical education. It’s his 10th year coaching overall, so he’s fluent in sports. Swimming just features its own dialect.

“The swim lingo is different from most other sports,” South Hadley senior Jayde Thomas said.

Castonguay had to learn about splits, the length of the pool, how long the races are, how different increases in yardage are in practice and other innate aspects of swimming. He did his research.

“YouTube’s fantastic,” he said.

He isn’t treading water alone, though. Castonguay has what he calls his “network” of assistants. Former South Hadley coach Tara Cole and her sister Meg Haber have been volunteering, and assistant Maddie Kelleher have provided guidance while Castonguay gets his feet wet.

“I couldn’t do it without them,” Castonguay said.

Castonguay also leans on his team to fill in the gaps in his knowledge.

“The kids are awesome in the sense that they don’t laugh at me when I ask a question,” he said. “I ask so many questions. They’re quick to help me out so I’m not lost.”

He received practice plans from a youth coach in town and has been following them. Meet management hasn’t been as easy to master.

“I was not prepared for what creating a lineup would entail. It’s like a Rubik’s cube,” Castonguay said. “I did not realize how hard that was.”

The Tigers (0-2) are grateful to have a coach. They wouldn’t have a team without him.

“We know that he really cares,” Thomas said.

Castonguay also brings his own personality and coaching philosophies to the job. He’s a laid-back guy with a background in sports psychology.

“I think that’s my strength, keeping them focused on what’s next and not the overall picture right now,” he said. “I’m always trying to have fun with them. I know this year it looks like they’re having fun.”

He’s also invested in their success. Four Tigers swam at the state meet last year (McClure, Thomas, Allison Bergeron and Eilis Hellyar). He wants to get at least them back there.

“I want to make sure that I don’t mess this up for them and I keep having them push themselves in the pool and I’m not the reason they didn’t qualify for states again,” Castonguay said.

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