CORONADO: Joe McCarthy, Coronado swim coach, leaves tomorrow for Beijing and his third Paralympics Games.

His team threw him a going-away party Friday in Coronado. He does such a “phenomenal job with kids” that a couple hundred people showed up, said Coronado High School senior swim coach Randy Burgess.

McCarthy is the American record holder for his class in the 50-and 100-meter freestyle, the 50-meter backstroke and 50-meter butterfly. He also coaches at Coronado High and at the Coronado Aquatics Club, and he will compete in three individual events and two relays in Beijing.

In 1996 at age 16, McCarthy broke his neck while surfing. After months of physical therapy, he returned to high school. He later entered a swim competition for the disabled and began breaking records.

McCarthy, who lives in downtown San Diego, competed in the 2000 and 2004 Paralympics. The Beijing Games begin Sept. 6. He plans to blog daily at his Web site: joemccarthyswim.com.

“I'm really excited,” said McCarthy, 28.

–J.Z.