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Lahaina Swim Club hopes to increase practice schedule

By BY WALTER CHIHARA - | Oct 15, 2021

There are 116 keiki ages 5-18 currently practicing with Lahaina Swim Club.

LAHAINA — Despite the limitations of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions involving state and county facilities and activities, Lahaina Swim Club strokes on as an elite youth athletic program here on Maui.

Following the community effort some 30 years ago that produced the sparkling Lahaina Aquatic Center, as well as the arrival of coach Tom Popdan, the LSC has flourished as one of the Valley Isle’s top youth swimming programs.

Since its inception in 1982, the LAC, located across the street from the Lahaina Recreation Center at the south end of town, has provided a high quality swimming and exercise facility for residents and visitors of all ages.

Coach Popdan’s arrival, bringing collegiate and Olympic leadership experience, has jettisoned the student-athlete’s efforts to the highest levels.

This includes several Maui Age Group Swimming Association (MAGSA) individual and team state championships, national titles and the creation of pathways to high school and collegiate recognition.

The program’s board of directors and coaching staff is a dedicated, veteran group, with some of them contributing to the success of LSC since the very beginning.

Jen Wiseman is a leading mentor as one of Popdan’s top assistants and vice president on the board.

President Bob Dezotell is joined by Secretary Jane Gorokhovsky, Treasurer Kari Alexander and Director Dave Wintermeyer.

The coaching staff includes Erica Gaastra, Gabby Lindblad and Kirsten Byers.

Coach Wiseman reports that the LSC has 116 registered participants ages five to 18 years of age, and the summer short course season began practice on July 1.

The first MAGSA-sanctioned event was held on Sept. 25, with the next meet scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16, at Lahaina Aquatic Center. All are hoping to be able to have spectators for the competition.

“Maui Age Group Swimming Association has really come together to provide for the kids,” Wiseman said.

“Led by Reid Yamamoto of Hawaii Swim Club, there have been Zoom meetings to organize the schedule and the competitions. It gives me chicken skin to think of all he does to run the program. Kudos to all the MAGSA teams!

“As of right now, we have close to ten hours or less of pool time a week, and this doesn’t sound that bad, but it’s detrimental for kids trying to achieve collegiate goals,” she continued.

“I’m grateful we were able to be back in the water for a modified summer season. Having demonstrated that as a club we can do so safely, I’m hopeful that we can get back to a Monday to Saturday practice schedule soon.

“This is especially critical for our high school age student-athletes, so that they can have the best chance of competing for college scholarships against swimmers from across the country who have much more access to practice time and competition opportunities,” Wiseman concluded.