Welcome to our team!

Buenaventura Swim Club has developed many high school and college All-American swimmers as well as Olympic Trials qualifiers. But the goal of Buenaventura Swim Club is not only to teach swimming skills, but also to help the youth of our community develop into responsible, mature adults. Our Mission Statement in part says that we will "provide the young people of our community with a positive training environment where they have the opportunity to reach their greatest physical, intellectual, social and emotional potential through competitive swimming."

We teach time management skills, how to prioritize, and how to set and achieve goals. These skills help our swimmers not only in swimming but also in school and in life. Our team works to build positive self-esteem and social skills. Our team is made up of all ages, races, sexes, and abilities.

Buenaventura Swim Club is unique in that Ventura County Masters (the part of our team that trains older swimmers from age 19 to age 61) often trains and competes alongside the younger kids. The older swimmers, many of whom qualified for the Olympic Trials and NCAA's when they were younger, act as mentors for the younger swimmers, both in swimming and in life. In turn the younger swimmers act as mentors to the beginning swimmers. We emphasize team camaraderie and spirit, giving the youth of our community a positive team to belong to and identify with.

We teach our swimmers to deal with adversity and success, to set goals and learn how to accomplish them even if there are setbacks. We teach personal accountability and promote a positive self image. Children often go thru turbulent times as they grow older and our team provides a safe place where they can mature and find their identity.

There are many sports teams in Ventura County, but none like ours. We are not just a swim team-our goal is to teach enduring life skills. We are a unique team playing a unique role in the development of our children.

John Derr, President