Orange County gym and fitness center
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FEBRUARY 2020 ❘ LOS CAB LIFE ❘ 3 STAFF PROFILE ...................... MAKING A SPLASH ■ MASTERS SWIMMING COACH DIEGO POMBO SHARES HIS LIFELONG LOVE OF THE SPORT D iego Pombo began swimming at age 6 in his native Colombia, later took up water polo, and competed in triathlons for 20 years as an adult. He started in Masters swimming when he moved to the United States in 1989, and continues to compete in masters events. So it's safe to say that being in the water has always been important to him. Now, as an instructor working with Masters swimmers at Los Cab Sports Village, he gets to share his love for swimming with others. We spoke to him to learn more about his life: ◆ ◆ ◆ What is your role at Los Cab and how long have you been with the club? I've been at Los Cab for more than two years and I coach masters swimmers (those 18 and older) in the mornings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ◆ ◆ ◆ What do you like most about your job? Being able to help adults improve their skills in the water is the most reward- ing part. Most of the swimmers who join the program are at an intermediate level, and I love to provide them with skill exer- cises that translate into faster swimming with less effort. ◆ ◆ ◆ What are some of the biggest bene- fits of swimming for exercise? Swimmers and non-swimmers alike acknowledge that it is probably "the most complete sport." I don't know if that claim is scientifically proven, but there's a lot of truth to it. Car- dio is a key part of every swimming work- out, as it helps develop lung capacity. Swimming also helps with muscle tone and balance. The aerobic nature of swimming also helps maintain a healthy weight. ◆ ◆ ◆ What makes the Los Cab aquatics fa- cilities stand out? Swimmers at Los Cab are lucky to get to swim year-round in an Olympic-size pool. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the pool is set up for short course, providing many lanes to accommo- date more swimmers. Los Cab is one of Or- ange County's best-kept swimming secrets. Not many pools in the county offer lap swimming all day, but fewer give the op- tion to swim long course (50 meter) every week. ◆ ◆ ◆ What does life look like for you out- side the club? I have been married since 1989 and have three adult children. My hobbies are skiing, swimming, paddle boarding, cycling and classical music. ...................................................................... > VISIT loscab.com/aqua-fitness. Diego Pombo is a swimming coach at Los Cab. POLAR BEAR CHALLENGE ................ NOT TOO COLD TO COPE M ore than 120 mem- bers have been braving the ele- ments at Los Cab's pool during the club's annual Polar Bear Chal- lenge, which runs throughout Janu- ary and February, and challenges participants to log at least 25 miles or hours in the pool. Those who achieve the goal are re- warded with a commemorative long-sleeve T- shirt. "It's always so encouraging to see everyone swimming in spite of the cold pool deck," Fitness Di- rector Marianne Grossman said. "Although the air temperature might be in the 40s, the tempera- ture in the 50- meter pool is around 80, and that makes a huge difference. I think many swim- mers would agree that getting out of the pool is the probably most challenging." ............................... > Visit loscab. com/swim.