Valencia Summit Seals Swim Team Wins the League Champion

Let’s take a trip back in time: The year is 1988, and Santa Clarita is celebrating its second year as a member of Los Angeles County. Valencia is serving as the Heart of the young valley, where four distinct Homeowners’ Associations (Valencia Summit, Valencia Hills, Old Orchard I, Old Orchard II) are building houses, parks and swimming pools- successfully establishing tight-knit communities that thrive to this day. In a collaborative effort, and from the comfort of their community pools, the four HOAs create an SCV staple by founding the Santa Clarita Swim League.
In 2023, and thirty-five summers later, the teams continue to practice in their neighborhoods and participate in Dual Meets, where they compete in multiple events to see which team ‘wins the gold.’ After a successful season, the Valencia Summit Seals were named this year’s League Champions- something that hasn’t happened in over two decades!
Being a Seal has become a family tradition for some Valencia Summit residents. There are children and siblings who compete in the same waters their family members once did; former teammates that become lifeguards and swim coaches can also hire back in. The continued generational involvement brings one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods even closer together.
Valerie Maldonado, a Summit Seals board member and parent, enrolled her son into the league in 2017. She and many of the parents believe the best part of the experience is witnessing the children grow as teammates and individuals; through the six-week program, they gain swimming skills, confidence, and lifelong memories.
Though you must be an HOA resident to join the Santa Clarita Swim League, the community is always invited to view swim meets and practices at each team’s pool. The Summit Seals also host fundraisers such as boutiques and pancake breakfasts to kick off the summer.
As the sun sets on a successful swim season, the Valencia Summit Seals set their sights on the superb year ahead- see you next summer! 

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