Diamond Bar Swim Clubs Provide Summer Recreation

When most kids get out of school for summer, they spend their time with friends, shopping at the malls or going to see the latest blockbuster movie. Not so for the Diamond Point Acquatics staff.

The team spends most of June preparing for the busy summer swimming pool session by brushing up on their CPR, first aid skills, and water safety drills in anticipation of the hot months ahead.

All that preparation paid off Saturday as the Diamond Point Swim Club squared off in a meet against the rival Deane Homes swim team. 

Sandy Morris, president of the visiting Deane Homes swim club said the swimmers work hard at both clubs to develop their skills and understand what a team sport is all about.

"We had a team for many years back in the 70s and 80s and then they took a little break," Morris said. "And now we have this team going for almost 15 years."

Morris said the team competes against others in the area, but the overall goal of both clubs is to provide support to children who want to learn how to swim and perhaps go on to competitive teams.

"(The kids) get to understand what a team sport is all about and also to realize that swimming is not just as a team," Morris said. "You're swimming and competing to do your personal best." 

Evan Meza, Diamond Point recreation and aquatics supervisor, said that the swim teams are also a chance to build community and friendships.

"It really builds a sense of community, they get to meet each other and hang out," Meza said. "Parents also meet each other and start to recognize each other." 

And the summmer programs are growing, Meza said.

"We started with 10 kids and now we have 60 registered kids."

Meza said even though Diamond Point was without a swim team for four years as a result of changing membership in the board of directors, the program now requires the help of 13 lifeguards each week. 

Melissa Wilson, a swim coach at Diamond Point, said some of the advantages to kids from participating in the team is it affords them a more active lifestlye. 

"The fun part of it is they get to play games, it's not just drills," Wilson said. "We have fun events like pancake breakfasts, barbecues, and end of the year banquets to recognize specific swimmers."

Age groups at the relays included swimmers from 8 to 15 years old and up.

Meredith Ramirez, a 10-year Diamond Bar resident with two children on the Diamond Point team, said she has seen the program do a lot of good over the last year.

"The kids running the program are really awesome and dedicated," Ramirez said. 

The non-profit homeowner's association and its Aquatics Club has been around more than 40 years.

Find more information on the Diamond Point Homeowners Association and swim club at their website.