Meet Coach Sebastian, the dynamic Head Coach at Patriots! Born and raised in Colombia, Sebastian’s love for swimming began at a young age when his mother first taught him to swim. With over 20 years of experience in the water, Sebastian’s passion for aquatics led him to represent the Colombian National Team in water polo and compete in international competitions in countries like Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

Coach Sebastian’s dedication to the sport of swimming began at a young age. Not only did his mother teach him to swim, but she also encouraged his passion for the water by enrolling him in swimming classes and programs. At the age of 14, Sebastian started teaching swim lessons and quickly realized that he had a natural talent for coaching. This early exposure to coaching and teaching paved the way for Sebastian’s future success as a swim coach.

In addition to his love for swimming, Sebastian was also a talented athlete in multiple sports. At just 10 years old, he earned a place on the State team in three different sports – European handball, volleyball, and water polo. When Sebastian was offered a spot on the Colombian National Team for water polo, he decided to focus solely on aquatics and represented the country’s master team in international competitions in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

Sebastian’s athletic career continued when he moved to the United States at the age of 19. He enrolled in American River College in Sacramento, CA to learn English and study the science behind swimming. During his time at American River College, Sebastian was able to continue his passion for swimming by participating in the State Championships in 2007 and 2008.

After completing his studies at American River College, Sebastian transferred to Vanguard University in Irvine, CA, where he was awarded a dual sports scholarship for water polo and swimming. At Vanguard, Sebastian was named captain of the water polo team and competed in the Nationals, where he was part of the 200 freestyle relay that placed 7th. In 2012, Sebastian graduated from Vanguard with a degree in business and administration with an emphasis in marketing.

With over a decade of experience as a coach, Sebastian has been a key member of the Irvine Swim Community coaching staff for many years. As Head Coach, he brings his wealth of experience and passion for the sport to the team, striving to help each and every swimmer reach their full potential. Coach Sebastian is known for his commitment to developing strong relationships with his swimmers and their families, and his dedication to building a supportive and inclusive team culture.

One of the things that sets Coach Sebastian apart is his ability to balance academic and athletic success. Throughout his own athletic career, he has demonstrated a commitment to both his education and his sports, and this same dedication can be seen in his coaching. He encourages his swimmers to prioritize their education and helps them find ways to balance their swimming commitments with their academic pursuits.

Join Coach Sebastian and the Patriot Swim Club, and get ready to make a splash! With his wealth of experience, passion for the sport, and dedication to his swimmers and their families, Coach Sebastian is leading the team to success. Whether you are a beginner swimmer or an experienced athlete, Coach Sebastian will work with you to help you reach your full potential and achieve your swim goals. So don’t wait, join the team today and start your journey to success in the pool!

Coach Tijmen Egtberts was born and raised in The Netherlands. He started playing competitive water polo at the age of 8. His talent got recognized at Santa Rosa Junior College where he played for two years and was added to the coaching staff for one year as well. Tijmen continued his education at Concordia University where he played water polo for one year and was Senior Captain of the swim team his final year. He graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in sports management. He also has a Master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration. As a coach, Tijmen has 12 years of experience and in 2017 he coached a 10U team that won the gold division at NJO’s, in 2019 his team got 3rd place and in 2021 Tijmen coached both 10u girls and 10u mixed to become national champions. That was the first time in usa waterpolo history two teams from the same club won JOs at the 10u level.

Meet Coach Helia, a UCI Biological Sciences major and swimming enthusiast! With over 10 years of experience in the pool, Coach Helia has been sharing her passion for the sport with the next generation of young swimmers. She joined Northpark Riptide in 2013 and competed for Beckman High School, honing her skills and developing a love for the sport that she still holds dear.

Since 2019, Coach Helia has been coaching and inspiring the next generation of swimmers. As the Assistant Head Coach for Northpark Riptide and Coach for the Patriots, her goal is not just to help her young athletes improve their skills, but to also instill the values of self-discipline and good sportsmanship in them. Coach Helia believes in building strong relationships with her swimmers and their parents and takes great joy in seeing her athletes grow and succeed. With a passion for the sport and a commitment to her young swimmers, Coach Helia is the perfect coach for families looking to provide a fun and supportive environment for their kids to learn to swim.

Welcome to the world of swim coaching with Ana Karen Granados! Hailing from Guanajuato, Mexico, Coach Ana brings a wealth of experience and a passion for developing young athletes. With over 2 years of experience coaching in various sport clubs and governmental facilities, she knows what it takes to help young swimmers reach their full potential.

At Patriot Swim Club, Coach Ana’s mission is to create a fun, supportive environment where athletes can develop not only their swimming skills, but also important life skills. She believes that communication, empathy, and fun are the keys to success, both in and out of the water.

With more than 10 years of experience as a swimmer and 6 years as a Waterpolo student-athlete, Coach Ana is excited to put her knowledge and skills to work for Patriot Swim Club and the entire community. So whether you’re a young swimmer looking to improve your skills or a parent searching for a coach who truly cares, Coach Ana is the perfect choice!