Walnut Creek to Tiburon

October 16 and 17,2010 was an amazing weekend of observing some of the best swimmers in the world and Pacific Swimming in different and strange settings.

My weekend began with coaching Toby Macabugao at a Senior Meet at Diablo Valley College.  Toby swam a 106.00 in his 100 Breast stroke taking of yet another .90 seconds.  This was not an age group meet. Toby had 17 and 18 year olds in his heat.  A strong performance for a very nervous 13 year old. 

We (my son Jake and I) jetted out of there to arrive a little late for the Tiburon Sprint Classic.  An incredible event held for the USA Swimming Foundation and Hospice by the Bay.  The Classic was the dream of Founder Robert Placak.  It was held at his posh home by the San francisco Bay in an infinity pool.  Touchpads,starting blocks, and the World's fastest swimmers swimming for a purse of 10,000.00.  We watched the swimming just feet away from the pool. Later we had dinner with the athletes.  They chose to sit at our table and visited with kam, Kristen,Selena,Mike,Jake and Myself.  I enjoyed meeting up with my Gold Medal friends Mel Stewart and Josh Davis.  We found Nathan Adrian, Ben Wildman-Tobriener,Garrett Weber Gayle,Nick Brunelli,and the others to be absolutely charming young men. 

On Sunday,Mike and I joined the VIP crowd and the elite athletes before they were loaded up unto the ferry boats to Angel Island for the start of the Tiburon Mile.  We watched the race and met up with the winners and elite athletes after the race.  The Tiburon Mile was very interesting and inspirational.  Over 600 swimmers participated in the 63 degree water swim from Angel Island to Tiburon.  I was so impressed with the swims of the club swimmers and Special Olympic swimmers.  Words cannot describe the magnitude of this kind of swimming.

Next year, I would like our team to participate in this event.  I was truly inspired by Mr. Placak's vision.  We all had a wonderful time in Tiburon.

Dia Rianda

Head Coach-MCAT/SVAM