Azura Makes a Splash at Midtown Weston
Led by a team recognized throughout the world for their competitive achievements and coaching experience, Azura Florida Aquatics has arrived at the club to teach and train swimmers of all ages and abilities, from young children to future Olympians.
With over 20 years of competitive swimming experience, Azura founder Gianluca Alberani, shares his thoughts about bringing his program to Weston and what it means for members.
Q. How did you create Azura?
Gianluca: I came to the United Stated from Italy as a swimmer for the first time in 2004 and began working as a coach in 2009. In 2013, I opened Azura in Ft. Lauderdale with a focus on creating skilled swimmers of different levels, from those who have never before entered the water to potential Olympians.
Q: What kinds of swim programs are you offering at Midtown?
Gianluca: We offer a Swim School, which is a learn-to-swim program for babies and older children. Azura’s main focus is always on water safety, given the amount of water children encounter in South Florida. Swimming is an essential life skill whose importance cannot be downplayed.
We also offer swim teams of different levels: Pre-Team (bronze, silver, and gold) for kids age 14 and under, and Senior and Elite teams for kids 15 and older. Azura has taught both local and international children. Our international kids come to the U.S. to study to improve their swimming and academics. We help to find them a college, to obtain scholarship money, and to train to represent their home country at an international level.
This year, 10 of our swimmers have gone to college on a swimming scholarship.
Q: Why did you choose Midtown as the home for Azura?
Gianluca: Azura and Midtown have great synergy, and many things in common. Both of us offer excellent customer service. We both push people to be their best. We both have very high standards of excellence. I’m thrilled with the relationship and looking forward to propelling both the Azura and the Midtown name to both the national and international level for swimming.
Q: What are your goals for the swim program at Midtown?
Gianluca: We want members to delve deeper into the world of aquatics. We want to grow the program, increase the number of swimmers participating, and possibly even send swimmers to Olympics.
Q: Speaking of the Olympics, tell us about the two Azura Olympians who competed in the Rio games.
Gianluca: This summer, we sent two men to Rio. Marcelo Acosta qualified with an A standard for El Salvador, which is something no swimmer from El Salvador has ever done. In one event, he ended up with the best time in the history of South America. In the 400 Meter Freestyle and 1500 Meter Freestyle, he set new Central American and South American records.
We also sent Jhonny Perez, a swimmer from the Dominican Republic, who won his heat in the 100 Meter Freestyle.
I was also selected to be the Head Coach of El Salvador in Rio.
Q: Tell us about the coaches who will be working at Midtown.
Gianluca: Azura’s strength lies with our coaching staff. Our coaches never refer to our swimmers as “my swimmers” or “your swimmers.” Every coach is involved with each of our swimmers on some level.
In addition, I am always present on the pool deck and help out whenever I’m needed. We’ve adopted a very personal approach with our students. All of us get involved in their lessons and training.
Q: What is the Azura approach to teaching?
Gianluca: Because of our international approach, we are very good at what we do. Each coach brings something to the team. Our coaches are energetic, motivate swimmers to be their best, and to focus not only on their technique, but also on possessing the right mindset to swim like champions.
For more information on Azura Florida Aquatics, head here.