(Photo courtesy of Quicksilver Swimming)
WATSONVILLE — To some, the sport of competitive swimming is only recognized every few years, when the Summer Olympics are broadcasted across the globe, and swimmers from the U.S. are thrown into the spotlight.
But for many, swimming is their sport. It is one that athletes dedicate themselves to year-round and strive to improve on.
“More than just a life skill, swimming can be as much of a sport as track and field, soccer and football,” said Lucas Salles-Cunha of Quicksilver Swimming. “Sometimes more. It takes discipline, strength and a whole lot of endurance.”
Quicksilver Swimming is a regional, nonprofit swim club established in 2011 in San Jose. Since then, the club has extended its reach to a number of other locations throughout the South Bay and Santa Cruz County.
Last year, a Quicksilver team was formed in Watsonville.
“At first we were just looking for available pools,” said Salles-Cunha, who is head coach of the Santa Cruz County branch. “Then we realized there was a real need in the community. There wasn’t a team for kids who wanted to get to the next level.”
Club swimming is more than just lessons. Swimmers are trained as athletes, practicing each stroke — freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly — and learning the differences between sprints, relays and long-distance events.
“These kids are fast,” said coach Darlene Friedley. “They work hard to improve every day. Not only to win races but also to best their own times.”
Friedley and her husband Mark are longtime residents of Watsonville and are excited to bring their own swimming experience to their community. Quicksilver joined the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture this year, and stays in contact with swim instructors from places such as the YMCA and Jim Booth Swim School.
“Many people in this community are unaware that swimming can be more than just learning to stay afloat,” she said. “We want to give them an option to go further in the sport.”
Quicksilver’s Watsonville branch consists of a non-competitive stroke development team and different levels of competitive teams. Swimmers practice between three and five times a week at the Watsonville High School pool.
There are currently around 40 swimmers signed up for the Watsonville team, and Friedley says she hopes that number will grow.
“People sometimes just stumble in on our practices,” she said. “They see a sport that they never considered, and that sparks interest.”
Salles-Cunha said Quicksilver recognizes that not everyone can afford the club’s fees, which is why the team is offering scholarships to swimmers. There are still five scholarships left to give out for the upcoming season. Local businesses can sign up to sponsor individual swimmers as well.
On Aug. 21, Quicksilver Swimming is having tryouts for the 2017-2018 season. That same week, on Aug. 26, it will host a free clinic to the public.
“There are so many benefits of this sport,” Salles-Cunha said. “It promotes a healthy lifestyle and teaches discipline, but is also very fun and rewarding to people of all ages. We want people to see that and give it a try.”
For information about Quicksilver Swimming and its local teams, visit quicksilversantacruz.org.
