Story and photos submitted by Johnny Johnson
Blue Buoy Swim School was established in 1956 by Mel and Doris Maxwell in Santa Ana, California. This was a time in Orange County that saw the birth of many swim schools but the Maxwell’s vision was a bit different than most others. With a philosophy that centered around meeting the needs of each individual student Blue Buoy moved away from the large classes with rigid curriculums and provided small classes and another new concept, warm water. These cornerstones remain firmly in place 60 years later and it is no surprise that none of the earlier schools exist today.
Photo Courtesy: Blue Buoy
Mel instilled in every teacher the purpose of providing in each student the ability to preserve their life in the water, to enjoy their life in the water and be given the skills to allow their full potential as swimmers. The number of students who learned at Blue Buoy is in the hundreds of thousands and there are an ever increasing number of second and third generation students including current owner Johnny Johnson who swam there in 1959-60, his two sons David and Eric and six grandchildren, three of which teach and lifeguard at the school.
To remain in business for 60 years there must be many satisfied customers and success can be measured in many ways. For some families it is watching a frightened child learn to trust and love the water while others follow the journey their little fish begin as infants and then on through lessons to swim team. Blue Buoy’s slogan is “Great beginnings…lead to great finishes!” This also can be measured in many ways. There are numerous swim school owners and coaches around the country that learned at Blue Buoy. With the love of swimming and the skills and knowledge they learned these individuals have extended the Blue Buoy influence to thousands. Like Tim Heinrich who coached with legendary Indiana University icon Doc Counsilman for years or Olympian and head Water Polo coach at Long Beach State Gavin Arroyo as well as many OC high school swimming and water polo coaches.
Individual achievement in aquatics comes in many forms from the ribbons and trophies at the Blue Buoy developmental swim meets to the long list of CIF champions in Southern CA High School Championship Finals and All American Awards. Looking again at one of the core elements of Blue Buoy’s purpose that of developing the skills to help swimmers reach their full potential, seven former students have competed in the Olympic Games or held World Records. Amy White Ballidis (1984), Gavin Arroyo (USA Water Polo 1996 & 2000), Jason Lezak (2000, 2004, 2008 & 2012), Michael ( Milorad) Cavic (2000, 2004, 2008 & 2012), Ryan Brown (USA Water Polo 2008), Jessica Hardy (2012) and Chad Hundeby, who held the World Record for the English Channel swim for 11 years.
In 2016 Mackenzie and Aria Fischer could become the 7th & 8th Blue Buoy Olympians as they are both on the Women’s National Water Polo Team. There are over a dozen more swimmers who have participated in the Olympic Trials many making the finals. While not our goal for each student it is certainly rewarding to see the foundation building that is provided, result in such “great finishes”. We are proud to have had former swimmers in every Olympics since 1996 and of course Amy back in 1984.
Photo Courtesy: Blue Buoy
Another testament to the Blue Buoy legacy is the number of Olympians and elite coaches who have enrolled their children in lessons there. Flip Darr’s 3 children, John Urbancek’s daughter and Mark Schubert’s grandchildren, all joined the ranks of children of Olympians Janet Evans, Bruce Furniss, John Mykannen, Jeff Campbell, Danny Hackett, Dana Schoenfield, Amy White, Jason Lezak, Julie Swail Ertel, Erich Fischer, Steve Pickell, Ryan Brown, Chris Segesman and Andrew Strenk.
Johnny and Cindy Johnson are the current owners and along with their son Eric, who has been teaching for 25 years, and his wife Jennifer, who runs the scheduling office, and IT support from son David, they have taken the cornerstones laid down by Mel and Doris Maxwell and further established Blue Buoy as a leader in the learn to swim industry. With an environment of trust, love, fun and proven teaching methods and philosophy Blue Buoy should continue creating “Great beginnings” for decades to come.
I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Johnny & Cindy in May of ’14 and then spending some extended time with them at the ’15 ISHOF Induction weekend. They are not only fantastic folks personally but also 5 Star Aquatic Professionals. Congratulations Blue Buoy on 60 years of producing winners in the pool and in life!
Great example, true legends in our sport. Congratulations, Steve Friederang, technique coach at Cal Baptist University, CEO Competitiveswimmer.com, and co-founder of Drownproof America. When I was an age group coach, Blue Boy was a clear example of how starting well is so essential to future excellence. Thank you!