The Durango Swim Club started its fall season with some exciting new changes: Brand-new starting blocks and a new head coach with a stellar collegiate swimming career.
The new starting blocks at the Durango Recreation Center replaced blocks that were installed when the rec center opened in 2002. The old blocks were very slippery, somewhat wobbly and severely outdated.
The blocks posed a safety hazard every time they were used. To ensure the safety of their swimmers, DSC worked to raise money and find sponsors to replace the blocks over the course of two seasons.
The total cost of seven new starting blocks was $40,000. After multiple successful fundraising campaigns and many large donations from swim families, friends of swim families, the LPEA Round Up Grant and the City of Durango, the blocks were successfully purchased and installed.
This design allows the swimmer to place their back foot in a secure position, creating a safer stance and avoiding slipping. Additionally, the updated starting block design has handrails on each side of the platform, helping the racer stabilize and maintain balance.
The new blocks will also help provide a new beginning for new coach Darren Maxwell.
Maxwell competed as an NCAA Division I swimmer for the University of Arizona under the legendary Frank Busch. Maxwell was part of the Wildcat teams that finished in the top five nationally in swimming every year.
Later, as a member of the University of Hawaii swim team, Maxwell set team records in the 100-yard backstroke (48 seconds), 100-yard butterfly (47.76 seconds), and 200-yard butterfly (one minute and 46 seconds), and set a pool record at the 2008 Conference USA Championships in the 100-yard butterfly (47.90 seconds). Before coming to Durango, Maxwell was an accredited Grand Prix racing instructor.
Maxwell’s philosophy is to focus on proper technique at all levels of swimming. He also emphasizes making swimming fun and memorable while competing in the pool.
“Coach Maxwell has worked with all levels of the team, and our swimmers have already seen the benefits of his instruction over the course of this season, achieving new best times in multiple events,” the club said in the release. “He also has deep knowledge of the college recruiting process and collegiate swimming. Most importantly, Coach Maxwell shares DSC’s mission of teaching commitment and responsibility through swimming. His coaching philosophy is to give each swimmer the tools to build their definition of success, no matter the speed.”
The team’s season began on Aug. 28. Swimmers of all ages and skill levels meet at the Durango Rec Center six days a week to help grow the sport.
