Local swim club putting up solid results in its first season

OFF THE BLOCK-Matthew Hammer, 12, dives into the pool during an event in Santa Barbara earlier his year. Hammer is a member of the Royal Swim Team, which was founded in November 2005. After having successful careers in swimming, four-time United States Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krazelberg joined up with Monaco swimmer Val Bagri to form the Royal Swim Team.

Even though the club started less than a year ago, the youth squad featuring swimmers from all over Los Angeles has already posted great results.

Already friends from their swimming days, Krazelberg and Bagri first talked about starting up the team while at a meeting with Prince Albert. The team then got off and running in November of 2005, and so far, the results have been staggering. Bagri said. "I swam professionally and now I want to give my knowledge to other swimmers. We recently enjoyed success as 11 of our swimmers qualified and competed in the Junior Olympics," Bagri said.

While Krazelberg runs the business side of the team, Bagri does most of the coaching.

Bagri has received a lot of praise so far from his swimmers regarding his coaching, including some from 12-year-old Matthew Hammer, who had previously been swimming in leagues for three years.

Hammer changed leagues so he could have Bagri as his coach.

"I like him because he gives good workouts," Hammer said. weaknesses and your strengths, instead of just one."

Hammer's father, Ken, was concerned when he saw his son swimming in smaller pools than he was used to competing in, but the younger Hammer insisted that he didn't care about the size of the pools; he was here for the coaching and to be part of a great team.

Although the team struggled the first two months to find pools for the swimmers, they now practice at four different sites including Calabasas High School.

Bagri is currently working on getting a fifth pool, as his team now has 55 people with 10 more on the waiting list.

"We have about 65 people who are either on the team or want to be on it currently," Bagri said. "I have many assistant coaches, so if we had 155 people, I would still be able to handle it and be happy."

Some of the people on the team that have done well include 9-year-old Andy Liu, who made two finals at the Junior Olympics and earned 7th and 8th place finishes. Angella Chen, 12, also swam well and brought home two gold medals.

"This has been a nice way for Lenny and Val to give back to the community," the older Hammer said. "The kids seem to absolutely love this team. Usually the parents are the ones in this league trying to drag their kids out and tell them no more swimming for the day. So they're having a great time."

For more information on the team, call (818) 625-5507 or visit www.royalswimteam@yahoo.com.