If there were doubts still lingering about swim coach Rory Alvaranga and his use of the Ultra Short Race Pace Training (USRPT) method, then the success of the 2017 campaign would have set the record straight.

That’s the hope of the FINA Level Two and Level One USRPT-qualified coach, who attributed the national age group records and regional titles secured by two of his swimmers this year, including daughter Zaneta, to the creative method which is the production of San Diego State University Professor Brent Rushall.

Although still fairly new to the coaching stint, Alvaranga has made significant strides over the past three years, and his mark in local swimming has been proven through his use of the unique coaching method in aiding swimmers.

“I have always thought to myself that with the potential and talent that we have in Jamaica, we just needed to do some work to become regional beaters.

“I decided to pursue coaching partly because my daughter was enjoying swimming and needing some technique correction, and partly on the prompting of coach Prince who, at the time, thought I was doing a good job starting a swim team at St Hugh’s Preparatory,” Alvaranga noted in reference to his introduction to coaching.

He added that on seeing the success of the USRPT when his daughter Zaneta broke her first national age group record in 2013, he pitched the idea to a few local colleagues, but was met with rejection.

However, he maintained his course with the USRPT and the results kept coming. This attracted the attention of a few parents, who admired the smoothness and restructured form of Zaneta’s technique.

“I tried to share my ideas with a few coaches, but they were so entrenched in the traditional method that they rejected USRPT without even trying,” Alvaranga revealed.

“It is as if I was doing something bad. I was also informed that to remain a member of one of the swim clubs, Zaneta would have to train with the club’s coaches and no longer [be] under my coaching, which brought much glory and successes over the last three and a half years,” he said with a smile.

He continued: “Despite producing a regional record-breaker under the methodology, it has resulted to naught in the eyes of some critics. Some people seem bent on repeating the same things and expecting different results, or maybe it is that they are content with where we are in swimming, instead of desiring more.

“Variety is the spice of life and nothing is wrong with adding other researched components to the traditional coaching. Track and field among other sports has obviously evolved, but swimming remains the same.

Meanwhile, following the country’s recent success at the Carifta and CCCAN championships, Alvaranga is optimistic that the Commonwealth Youth Games and World Junior Swimming Championships will be a part of Jamaica’s success story.

He continues to play his part in a bid to make Jamaica’s young sensations a force to reckon with both regionally and internationally through the medium of weekend sessions which are open to all and sundry.