PAUL MCCAFFREY

2011 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

              Paul McCaffrey’s swimming accomplishments have been demonstrated as a competitor, as a coach, and as a teacher.  Paul began his competitive swimming career in 1965 as an age group swimmer at the Pawtucket YMCA.  From 1969-1972, he competed for LaSalle Academy.  In his senior year, he served as a team captain and won honors as a second team All-State Diver.  Over the past several years, Paul has remained active in competitive swimming and has participated in several major open water swim events and Master’s events.

            As an instructor and coach, Paul has been committed to youth, high school, and college level programs over the past several years.  He has also been active as a Water Safety Instructor for nearly thirty years.  Paul has coached swimming and diving teams in the Narragansett swim league and diving teams at LaSalle Academy, Barrington High School, and at the University of Rhode Island. 

            Perhaps Paul’s greatest contribution to swimming has been in the development of several notable swim programs in the state.  From 1979-1986, Paul developed a swim program for autistic and behaviorally challenged children and adults at the Groden Center in Providence.  He instructed the swimmers in that program and served as a Special Olympics Swim Coach.  He then went on to develop a swim program for special needs children for the BI-County Collaborative in North Attleboro, MA.  From 1988-1990, he served as Co-Coordinator for the RI Special Olympics State Games Aquatic Competition.  Since 1988, Paul has been a developer and instructor of physical education, adaptive physical education, health, and swim programs for special needs and elementary school children at the Narragansett Elementary School.

            Paul’s dedication to swimming continues as he remains involved as a Master’s swimming competitor, as a swim instructor at the Tootell Center at URI and at the Narragansett Elementary School, and as a Co-Director of the Narrow River Preservation Association open water swim event.