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NBCC
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A Sensational Summer
SUCCESS AND SOCIALIZATION WENT HAND-IN-HAND FOR MANY NEWPORT
BEACH COUNTRY CLUB YOUTH THIS SUMMER, AS THE SWIM TEAM AND KID’S
CAMP FLOURISHED DESPITE THE PANDEMIC.
BY ASHLEY RYAN
After COVID-19 hit the country hard in the springtime, many didn’t know what to expect for summertime as cities
across the nation went into quarantine. However, Newport Beach Country Club prevailed, finding ways to keep its
annual swim team and summer Kid’s Camp alive for the children and grandchildren of its members.
“This year’s camp was challenging because of the pandemic,” says Nancy Martinez, the head camp counselor at NBCC.
“We had to modify certain aspects.” But Martinez and Gabe
Soria, head coach of the swim team, didn’t let these challenges
stop them. Their hard work and dedication led to a summertime
full of success stories—with plenty of fun along the way.
SWIMMING TO SUCCESS
At the end of July, the NBCC swim team completed its
annual summer season. With more than 80 children participating
in the 2020 iteration, it was a success despite how different
it was from last year.
“We were not able to compete against other country clubs
due to COVID-19,” Soria explains, but that didn’t slow the
kids down one bit. They were able to compete against one
another in their own swim meet, held at their home pool.
“We announced the kids in each lane before the race with
the “Sirius” theme song [by The Alan Parsons Project] from
the … NBA’s Chicago Bulls. [The] kids loved it and got super
excited … during the race.” There was also an ice cream station
after the meet.
The season had a number of highlights. Each week, Soria
and his team chose a Swimmer of the Week. After taking the
child’s picture, it was sent out to the parents in a group email
and the swimmer received a candy-filled prize. “Parents love
to see their child recognized for achievement,” Soria explains.
In addition, Seahorse Dollars were given out to the kids at
the end of every practice. At the end of the season, they could
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