Swimmers Aim to Be Next Olympic Stars

Inspired by the bounty of medals won by United States’ swimmers in Atlanta, a group of about 50 San Fernando kids is spending the summer practicing in the pool with hopes of someday winning their own Olympic gold.

“My boys want to be the next Tom Dolan and the girls want to be Amanda Beard,” said Julie Gonzalez, referring to two of the United States’ gold medal winners in Atlanta.

Gonzalez’s sons, Robert, 12, and Daniel, 8, are members of the San Fernando Sharks, a team swimming program at the San Fernando Recreation Center where, for $5, the kids get a summer of lessons and a chance to compete in weekly meets.

Hamid Sabet, a lifeguard at the recreation center and one of the team’s coaches, said that the Sharks, which is open to boys and girls between 7 and 17, has become so popular this summer that it can no longer accept new swimmers.

“It’s hot and the kids want to be in the pool anyway,” said Sabet, a Woodland Hills resident and student at UC Irvine who is spending his fourth consecutive summer at the pool.

“But once they go to the meets and see that they can win ribbons, that makes them really want to practice when they get here.”

And practice they do; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for Saturday meets that take the kids to pools all around Southern California. A handful of Shark swimmers have been so successful that they have qualified for regional swimming finals next month in Irvine and at the Los Angeles Swim Stadium in Exposition Park.

“Besides swimming, being on the team teaches them discipline,” Gonzalez said. “They learn what they have to do to be their best, like eating right. My kids are really focused.”

Connie Esquibel, 12, in her second year with the Sharks said she plans to stick with swimming. “It’s fun and it’s a really good workout,” Connie said, “and otherwise I’d probably be home watching TV.”

“I like to be in the races,” said 10-year-old Eric Campos. “It’s fun getting ribbons when you go to the meets.”