International Swim Center in Santa Clara, CA
USA Swim Facility Center is an Affordable Family Vacation Idea
Jul 21, 2009
This USA Swim Facility Center is a familiar place in the swimming world with their famous swimming champions over the years, excellent Olympic swimming and diving pool facilities, and top notch coaches like George F. Haines, three times Head Coach of the United States Olympic Swimming Team.
After visiting the Intel Museum, people should find their way to the George F. Haines International Swim Center at 2625 Patricia Drive. This attraction is open for leisure swims during the summer months to individuals, either corporate professionals staying in town for work or families on vacation. Admission is less than $5 per person (children and seniors rates are available). People may also access the Masters Swim Club, Lap Swimming, and swimming lessons of all age groups (different prices).
The general public may attend engaging swim club meets and synchronized swimming shows. Information about these events may be obtained by calling Santa Clara Swim Club (408) 246-5050 or Santa Clara Aquamaids (408) 988-9936. Swimming lessons are available for all levels of swimmers in each category.
This venue is where nineteen Olympic gold medal swimmers have either trained and competed for Santa Clara Swim Team or called Santa Clara home; a few to mention are Mark Spitz, Donna de Varona, Don Schollander, Chris Von Saltza, and Pablo Morales.
The International Swim Center was even graced with the presence of the famous movie star, Esther Williams, a few years ago, when she was invited to watch a synchronized swim show tribute for the Olympic swimmers after the Summer Olympics where many of the swimmers took medals. Williams introduced synchronized swimming as a sport.
History of the International Swim Center
Diane Krieger writes in July/August 2005 Splash, "Author P.H. Mullen who wrote the book, Gold in the Water, about the International Swim Center in Santa Clara, mentioned this center as one of the oldest, most historic and most venerable venues in American Sports.” Mullen has been contracted to write for a documentary to be released.
George F. Haines started this Swim Center facility in 1951. All Santa Clara coaches and swimmers speak highly of Haines as a great teacher who took an interest in the individuals he coached and simply made swimming fun.
Schollander said in the Splash article, “He knew the subject matter, how to convey it to you, how to motivate you and to make it fun.”
People are reminded of Haines as they walk to and from the heated outdoor swimming pools, past his bronze bust, which displays Haines with a hat and stopwatch as a tribute.
The dimensions of these swimming pools are:
- Racing and Racing Pool – 25 yards by 50 meters which may be used as a short course (twenty-three 25 yard lanes) or long course (nice 50 meter lanes)
- Diving Well – 6 lane, 25 yard pool used for diving and synchronized swimming with an overall depth is 17 feet
- Shallow Pool – 7 lane, 25 yard pool also used as a kids' shallow pool.
Competitions and shows may be viewed by 5,000 spectators in the covered bleachers.
Swimming and Dive Team Competitions
This Swim Facility Center has hosted thirty-three annual International Invitationals, with some of the finest athletes in the history of swimming. In the recent 2009 swim meet, they were honored with many champions including Mark Phelps, Olympic champion and world record holder, who competed at this 42nd Annual Santa Clara International Grand Prix.
Synchronized Swimming
The Santa Clara Aquamaids competed in the Olympics when synchronized swimming first became recognized as an Olympic competition sport. Their website states the Aquamaids have produced more than 58% of all the Olympic Synchronized Swimmers representing the USA since becoming an Olympic sport in 1952.
The George F. Haines International Swim Center is an unusual, fun and not very expensive attraction for individuals and families to add to their vacation trips in Northern California and be able to swim where these swimming champions have trained.
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