There’s a new team in town, in the heart of Doral, Florida.
With a brand-new aquatic center, a sprint clinic led by Olympian Dylan Carter, and its first hosted meet set to take place this weekend, Doral Swim Club is already moving at race pace in its inaugural season as a USA Swimming club within Florida Gold Coast Swimming.
Training out of the recently opened Doral Aquatic Center, the club’s home facility features a 50-meter competition pool that can also be configured for short course racing using a mobile bulkhead system. Operated in partnership with the City of Doral Parks and Recreation Department, the facility also includes a separate six-lane training and warm-up pool, along with a multitude of modern amenities.
“The venue is equipped with stadium seating, a giant video board, a fully electronic timing system, cutting-edge starting blocks, a diving well, and multiple rooms designed for different aquatic and community activities,” said Alfredo Bracho, CEO and Technical Director of Doral Swim Club.
More than a competition pool, the aquatic center also includes splash areas for children, water slides, and recreational spaces for local families to stay cool at the pool.
“All these elements allow us to provide athletes and families with a modern, professional, and development-oriented environment.”
Adding Names, Filling the Lanes!
While the club officially launched on January 14, it has already grown to nearly 70 athletes across its Pre-Team, Age Group, Senior, and Masters programs. But for Bracho, the early growth is only part of the story.
“Our philosophy goes beyond simply developing fast swimmers. We want to help develop centered, disciplined, and confident young individuals who can positively contribute to society,” he said.
“At the moment, we are building this program from the ground up with a strong emphasis on structure, identity, professionalism, and long-term athlete development. The city really connected with that vision, and now we are applying those principles to create a strong team culture.”
The club’s identity is also closely tied to its local roots and the community it serves, with an all-Venezuelan coaching staff.
In addition to Bracho, the program’s coaches include:
- Coach Ysidro Gonzalez — Head Coach, Senior Group
- Coach Mariana Gonzalez — Head Coach, Age Group
- Coach Stephanie Suarez — Assistant Coach
- Coach Eliazar Gamboa — Assistant Coach / Dryland Coach
“Being able to serve a community like Doral, where there is such a strong Venezuelan presence, has made this opportunity especially meaningful for us,” Bracho said.
Life Lessons in the Fast Lane
One of the club’s first major events was a sprint clinic on May 16, led by Trinidad and Tobago Olympian and former USC standout Dylan Carter. Drawing 28 swimmers to the pool, the fast-paced, in-water session centered on speed, detail, and race execution.
“The kids had a great time connecting with Dylan Carter, and it was a great opportunity for everyone to learn from one of the best sprinters in the world,” Bracho said. “The atmosphere was very energetic, positive, and inspiring for all the swimmers involved.”
Carter, who trains locally with Azura Florida Aquatics, recently raced to A-final appearances in the 100 freestyle, 50 freestyle, and 50 butterfly at the Fort Lauderdale Open. He returns to action this week at the Pro Swim Series stop in Sacramento, where he is entered in the 50 backstroke, 50 freestyle, and as the top seed in the 50 butterfly.
Race Day Arrives in the Heart of Doral
This weekend, the upstart team takes another major step forward, hosting its first-ever meet, the Doral Swim Club LCM Spring Invite. With 13 teams and more than 300 swimmers expected, the new facility is about to come alive with the sights and sounds of South Florida swimming. For a club that officially launched just a short time ago, it’s another sign of how quickly momentum is building.
“Our long-term goal is to build a strong and sustainable program based on identity, leadership, professionalism, and community impact,” Bracho said, “with the vision of becoming one of the top competitive swim programs in South Florida in the coming years.”
Looks like a beautiful facility! I think it is also the new home of FIU swimming and diving – much closer to their campus than their old pool on Biscayne Bay.
Yes!
Another charmer by Liz Rosenthal! What another exiting event! Swimmers old and young; winners and soon to be winners; named swimmers and soon to be named swimmers; up and coming; and have arrived swimmers! This new and amazing swim facility has it all and is raring to go, and has obviously “gone!” Welcome “aboard!” Ready to go! OOPS, has already gone! Awaiting new and old, and anyone who is drawn to swimming. Good luck to swimmers and new facility! You have already made it!