Resounding Joy

“There’s more than just getting in to the water. It’s about setting objectives and teaching them values.” - Fred Arzaga    

By David Grossman

It started with an idea and a community.

The Crescent Town Club, an indoor recreational centre property, part of a huge condo facility just a bit east of midtown Toronto, and there was talk of the start-up of a new swim club. A small one, where everybody knows everyone.

It became the birthplace of CREST Swimming in 1981, by a man who wanted to give something back to Canada in appreciation for accepting him as an immigrant from the Philippines in 1974.

Fred Arzaga is the longstanding coach of the club – one that has had its share of National and Provincial success in the pool. Approximately 50 youth make up the competitive category of the program, comprised of those 13 years and older. They also has between 30 and 40 young athletes in the start-up programs consisting of newer swimmers, and those wanting to be part of an organization also focussed on friendship and fitness.

“Canada has been great to me, and my family, and by offering to coach young people, it’s not only something that I enjoy, find important, but it’s just a small way of giving back and saying thank you,” said Arzaga.

While the swimmers continue to excel, and in cases draw attention at meets across the country, a close examination of those in this club, many from families who have immigrated to Canada, would resemble a mini-United Nations with members from places in the Caribbean to the Middle East and beyond.

They train in the 25-metre pool, with programs and guidance from Arzaga, and two assistant coaches Che’ Mineque and Andrew (A.J.) Isleta, who devote their time to the program, often six days a week and 10 months of the year.

“I used to live in the complex and took our kids for swimming,” recalled Arzaga, proud of the fact that they, now adults, were at one time were Nationally ranked. “I liked coaching them, word spread and there was interest in starting up the club. So, I took advantage of the opportunity and, well, it has been almost 40 years.”

Before coming to Canada, Arzaga was a Nationally ranked swimmer in the Philippines; butterfly and freestyle were his specialty when he wasn’t deep in medical exams, and later getting his degree in sciences. When financial situations wouldn’t allow for him to pursue medicine, he re-focussed on education and the National College of Physical Education.

A passion for coaching quickly emanated, and he spent time in the United States, in Indiana and California, observing and studying the fundamentals of good coaching. When he packed up and left Manila with his wife, and arrived in Toronto, adjustments and adapting to changes was a challenge. He wanted to teach, but didn’t have the necessary credentials. An opportunity came up, and Arzaga worked in Information Technology at the Ontario Ministry of Education for 25 years.

A man of integrity and sterling quality, Arzaga’s ability to bring the best out of young swimmers did not go unnoticed. In 1996, he was Swim Ontario’s Coach of the Year and a decade later, he was the recipient of an Excellence in Coaching award from the Canadian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association.

At CREST Swimming, Arzaga has a clear and concise message he reiterates: no short cuts to success, but plenty of hard work.

The philosophy at of the club continues to be one of inclusion and accessibility. According to Arzaga, it’s based on both affordability and athletic ability. Swimmers are not divided into levels or groups based on competence or qualifications.

It’s more than passion that stimulates Arzaga to coach. Affection, devotion and resounding joy in helping young swimmers has helped blossomed the group into becoming one of the smaller, but premier, swim clubs in the country.

Always enthusiastic, displaying outstanding qualities and inspiring success, Arzaga thrives on seeing growth and development in young swimmers.

“While I learned the hard way, I like to give kids encouragement, stress patience, talk with them – the pep talks with positive reinforcement, a message of personal improvement and to stay out of trouble,” he said. “There’s more than just getting in to the water. It’s about setting objectives and teaching them values.”

It’s worked. Arzaga just has to look back at many former members of the club; not only those who claimed medals, trophies and other awards. Former swimmers have gone on to a variety of professions ranging from medicine to engineering, law to teaching.

“These young people are like extended family to me,” he said. “Yes, swimming is great but, as they get older, I want them to be successful in their lives.”

Nurturing strong relationships, Arzaga developed a robust bond with the Crescent Town Club in the early years of the club, resulting in him not being charged for pool time for many years. Worth noting, Arzaga, at the time, also did not insist on a fee for coaching kids in the local community.

For those who only look at performance in the pool, there has been much to celebrate. CREST Swimming has won numerous small team awards at Provincial championship meets, and developed some outstanding swimmers.

The road to triumph and prosperity continues.

David Grossman is a veteran award-winning Journalist, Broadcaster with some of   Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.