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Community Corner

Swimmingly Good at De Anza Cupertino Aquatics

D.A.C.A. helps to forge lifelong friendships, and a healthy lifestyle.

The aroma of chlorine, the constant motivation of coaches and crisp, white swim caps are just a few of the usual sights and smells on the pool deck of De Anza Cupertino Aquatics.

The competitive swim team, located in the heart of Cupertino, ranges from guiding three-month old children in becoming water safe to creating Olympic medalists and national champions.

 “Swimming is a great sport that teaches kids numerous skills like time management and the importance of a good work ethic, but it is also one that encourages competition and self-improvement, says freshman Paige Gilley, a student-athlete at Brown University.  “D.A.C.A. is a program that provides all of its swimmers with the opportunities to succeed and to develop these skills.”

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 Despite the cold, wind and rain, D.A.C.A. is a year-round program committed to helping swimmers achieve their potential in the pool every day.

 Indicative of the program’s goal is the mantra posted on its website: “We are a community-based aquatics program dedicated to providing the youth of the South Bay the opportunity to be ‘the best they can be.’”

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For many regulars, swimming became a part of life, like breathing or walking. Others, usually only a select few athletes, continue to pursue the sport in college, along with the academic demands of their studies.

 “D.A.C.A. truly prepared me for my NCAA career,” says sophomore Laurence Delisle, a student-athlete at University of California Los Angeles. “Under the watchful eye of great coaches, I developed into a Division I athlete.”

 D.A.C.A has made those goals possible for a number of swimmers, not only because of the talented coaching staff, but also due to resources such as training equipment and pool facilities.

“We can offer the best facilities, the best and most full-time staff and pay for expenses like national group travel possible in our area and anywhere else,” says D.A.C.A Director Pete Raykovich.

For some swimming is strictly a physical pastime, while others get more out of the sport such as positive influence in decision making, lifestyle and behavior.

“D.A.C.A. has helped me develop so much in and out of the pool,” says Shayne Flemming, a freshman currently continuing his swimming career at University of California, Berkeley.  “It's amazing how a lot of the stuff I learned in and around the pool overlaps with the rest of my life such as the simple things of being on time, giving your all in everything, or even thriving off your companions energy.”

 “With everything I learned at D.A.C.A., I was able to approach swimming in college with ease of mind and a tool-bag full of resources,” added Delisle.

 D.A.C.A. strives to continue its reputation of excellence and talent, teaching the athletes that swimming is not only good for the body, but countless reasons like unbreakable friendships, everlasting memories and to always keep reach their goals, in and our of the pool.

 “Together, the friendships I’ve made and the coaches I’ve worked with at D.A.C.A. have created lasting memories of how much I have loved my time there and how much I have gained from it as a program,”Gilley  says.

 

 

 

 

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