PSD Swimming Club; Making Waves beyond the Pool

Written by Precious Bergado| 11 April 2024

The PSD Swimming Club is more than simply a sports program; it's a community where young swimmers learn, grow, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Under the guidance of Mr. Mark Clyde R. Jugalbot (Swimming Club Boys) and Mrs. Marie Christine A. Libetario (Swimming Club Girls), the club focuses on skill development, camaraderie, and enjoyment, while developing a generation of self-assured and water-savvy students who not only love the thrill of swimming but also carry vital life skills with them outside of the pool. 

The club kicked off in the summer of 2018 and since then, the club has surged, now boasting 42 boys and 47 girls—a testament to a growing enthusiasm within the school community. Mrs. Libetario proudly reflects on the club's evolution, stating: "My partnership with Dr. Julius Edrosolam laid the foundation, and last Summer Camp 2023, I started my collaboration with Sir Clyde Jugalbot, my counterpart in the Boys Swim Group."

When asked about Mrs. Libetario’s inspiration to become the club moderator, she warmly stated, "my love for swimming and the feeling of enjoyment when I teach students to swim."


Meanwhile, Mr. Jugalbot enthusiastically said that his motivation was, “preparing the kids, especially the non-swimmers, to enjoy and not be afraid of water. Also, learning how to swim is for their safety.”


This school year, the club holds six batches of practices every Saturday, with additional weekday sessions. Mrs. Libetario provided details, "Girls: 8-10am, 10-12noon, 12noon-2pm. Boys: 9-11am, 11-1pm, 1-3pm. We also have weekday sessions for both girls and boys from 3-5pm, Tuesdays for the girls and Wednesdays for the boys."


The club's curriculum goes beyond basic strokes; it encompasses mastering water safety, learning competitive swimming strokes, and instilling values of teamwork and sportsmanship. Mrs. Libetario emphasizes a holistic approach, incorporating weekly training sessions, outdoor pool activities for families, land training, and encouragement to participate in swim meets and school activities in the future such as intramurals.




"As a club, we celebrate the achievements of our members at the end of the school year and summer camp with a Mini Swim Meet. It's a culmination of their hard work, dedication, and progress throughout the year. We take pride in recognizing their efforts with awards, medals, and simple tokens," Mrs. Libetario beams, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the individual and collective accomplishments within the club.


Expressing his joy in being in the water and hope to travel the ocean, swimming club member, Aeyron Terence P. Tero from grade 3 Kalachuchi mentioned that he joined to learn how to swim and practice his skills to learn how to survive in the water. Expressing his desire to still continue being in the swimming club in the future, Aeyron also said that, 


“I love being in the swimming club since it relaxes me and we learn new skills every meeting like diving and freestyle swimming with Sir Clyde.”


Another swimming club member is Darlene G. Rosario from grade 4 Serenity who mentioned that swimming club teaches things beyond swimming like staying on your goal and good deeds such as to help each other just in case of emergency. Darlene also was grateful for the new things she learn in the swimming club saying,


“Swimming club helped me to make new friends and T. Christine is always helping us to learn new things.”


For both moderators, the most rewarding aspect is witnessing the growth and confidence of the swimmers. Looking ahead, Mrs. Libetario envisions producing elite swimmers to represent the school, while Mr. Jugalbot emphasizes a focus on well-developed swimmers capable of competing outside Qatar.


Interested students can register at the Office of Student Affairs during club offerings or summer camp openings. Both moderators advise new members to prioritize safety, follow pool rules, and enjoy every moment in the water.


The PSD Swimming Club is not just a place to learn the art of swimming; it's a holistic journey where young swimmers discover the joy of teamwork, personal growth, and lifelong skills. With the guidance of Mrs. Libetario and Mr. Jugalbot, this club creates ripples of positive impact that extend far beyond the water's edge. As these young swimmers continue to dive into success, they're not just learning to swim—they're learning to navigate the currents of life with confidence and resilience.

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