Coach Sebastian Cordoba brings a legacy of passion, skill, and dedication as the head coach of Patriot Swim Club. Born in Colombia, Sebastian’s swimming journey began in the warm waters of his hometown, where his mother instilled in him a love for swimming. By age 14, he was already teaching swim lessons, uncovering his natural talent for coaching and a gift for inspiring others. Today, with over 20 years of experience, he embodies a blend of dedication, technical expertise, and infectious enthusiasm that ignites Patriot Swim Club’s competitive spirit.

Sebastian’s early athletic career was marked by exceptional talent across multiple sports. At just 10, he earned a place on his state’s team in European handball, volleyball, and water polo, eventually focusing his passion on aquatics. His commitment took him to the Colombian National Team in water polo, where he represented his country internationally in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. This level of competition fueled his understanding of high-performance athletics, knowledge he now shares with Patriot Swim Club swimmers.

After moving to the U.S. at 19, Sebastian continued his education and swim training at American River College in California, where he competed in the 2007 and 2008 State Championships. His journey continued at Vanguard University, where he earned a dual sports scholarship in water polo and swimming. As captain of Vanguard’s water polo team, he led his squad to Nationals, and in swimming, he excelled as part of a 200 freestyle relay team that placed in the top 10 nationally. Graduating with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing, Sebastian’s academic and athletic balance became the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy.

Beyond his role as a seasoned coach, Sebastian is also a father with a vision. He founded and developed Patriot Swim Club to create a path for his daughter, Camila, and all young swimmers like her to compete at the highest levels of swimming. With over 20 years of experience, Sebastian’s journey—from representing the Colombian National Team in water polo to leading Vanguard University’s swim and water polo teams—has shaped a unique coaching philosophy. He’s committed to bringing every swimmer the same level of opportunity, growth, and guidance he strives to give his own daughter.

With over a decade in coaching, Sebastian is a trusted leader within the Irvine swim community. Known for his meticulous approach to technique, his focus on building personal connections, and his unwavering support for each swimmer’s journey, Coach Sebastian emphasizes an environment where athletes feel encouraged to achieve greatness both in and out of the pool. His philosophy extends beyond the lanes, encouraging swimmers to excel academically and prioritize their holistic growth.

Joining Patriot Swim Club means becoming part of a team driven by excellence, inclusivity, and passion. Coach Sebastian has designed a program that supports swimmers at every level—whether you’re diving in for the first time or training for elite competition. His leadership is built on values of teamwork, resilience, and joy in the sport, helping every Patriot swimmer thrive.

So, if you’re ready to push your limits, join Coach Sebastian and the Patriot Swim Club family. Under his guidance, you’ll grow as an athlete, achieve your goals, and make memories that last a lifetime. The pool is ready—are you? Jump in and start your journey with Coach Sebastian today!

Coach Duje isn’t just the president of Patriot Swim Club—he’s the cornerstone of its success. His unwavering vision has shaped a program designed for swimmers to thrive, compete, and reach their full potential. With the strategic addition of Coach Sebastian, he has cultivated an environment that fosters excellence both in and out of the pool, setting a high standard for the club’s legacy.

Coach Duje’s swimming journey began at just five years old with the esteemed Jadran Split Swim Club in Croatia. By the age of 12, he had already made waves as a top-three breaststroker and butterfly swimmer in his region and ranked among Croatia’s top 20 in his age group. His passion for the sport extended to open-water swimming, where he dominated marathon events, securing victories in the 10-and-under, 11-and-under, and 12-and-under categories.

After a successful and fulfilling swimming career, Coach Duje transitioned to water polo at the age of 12, where his love for aquatic sports continued to flourish. Today, he remains a dedicated water polo coach, blending his expertise in both swimming and water polo to inspire and mentor athletes.

As the active president of Patriot Swim Club, Coach Duje's leadership is the driving force behind the program’s growth, creating a legacy of competitive spirit and community. For more on Coach Duje’s water polo achievements, be sure to check out his bio under the Water Polo section.

With over a decade of swimming experience, Coach Helia Rahimian has been a part of the Northpark Riptide and Beckman High School swimming communities since 2013. Now pursuing a major in Biological Sciences at UCI, Helia has spent the last five years sharing her love for swimming as both a coach and mentor.

As the Assistant Head Coach for Northpark Riptide and a dedicated coach for Patriot Swim Club, Helia is passionate about instilling the values of self-discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork in her swimmers. Her commitment to each swimmer’s personal and athletic growth shines through in her coaching style, where she emphasizes building strong relationships with both her athletes and their families.

Helia’s focus is not only on improving technique but also on creating a positive, supportive environment where swimmers feel empowered to achieve their best. She takes pride in watching her swimmers grow, both in their abilities and in their confidence, making her an ideal coach for families looking for a fun and nurturing atmosphere for their children to thrive. Helia’s combination of experience, passion, and dedication makes her a trusted coach who can guide young athletes to reach their full potential.

Born into a family where swimming was a way of life, Coach Carlota Pereira’s love for the water was nurtured from a young age by her father, a swim coach. Swimming has always been more than just a sport for Carlota—it’s a part of who she is. Her lifelong commitment to the sport, combined with 14 years of water polo experience, has taken her to the international stage, representing her national team in the U19 European Championship and U20 World Championship.

Carlota’s international experiences have shaped her into a driven and well-rounded athlete, and she brings this same passion and dedication to her coaching. Currently competing at a high level in both swimming and water polo in the United States on a scholarship, Carlota knows what it takes to succeed. Her unique background enables her to coach swimmers to not only improve technically but also to develop the mental toughness and resilience needed in the pool.

Originally from Barcelona, Spain, Coach Paula Galceran began her swimming career at Club Natació Sabadell, one of Spain’s most prestigious aquatic clubs. Her early start in the sport, coupled with attending a specialized high school for aquatic athletes, allowed Paula to train and compete at an elite level from a young age. This high-performance environment shaped her into a disciplined and skilled swimmer, experiences that she now passes on to her athletes at Patriot Swim Club.

After moving to the United States to pursue her collegiate career, Paula competed in both swimming and water polo, further expanding her knowledge of aquatic sports. Paula’s competitive background, along with her training as a coach, including completing an ASCA course on freestyle, allows her to bring a high level of technical expertise to her swimmers.

Precision, Dedication, and Team Spirit

At 23, Coach Guiliana Galetto brings a wealth of experience as a student-athlete from Mexico, currently pursuing her senior year at Westcliff University in Irvine, CA, majoring in Business Administration. Her swimming career began at the age of 10, and she has since competed at high levels, including earning a full athletic scholarship to Westcliff University after spending her junior year at NSU University School in Florida.

Guiliana’s coaching philosophy centers on perfecting technique and focusing on the finer details of swimming, a value deeply ingrained in her from her own elite coaches. She’s passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive environment where swimmers of all levels can thrive, blending the discipline of hard work with the joy of swimming. Her ability to balance a competitive edge with a playful atmosphere allows swimmers to grow while having fun.

With 17 years of swimming experience, Coach Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique blend of competitive expertise and personal passion to the Patriot Swim Club. His journey from local swim clubs like Irvine Novaquatics and Aquazot to Division 1 swimming at California Baptist University has been marked by guidance from Olympic-level mentors, including Jason Lezak and Kaitlin Sandeno. This background gives Ryan a rare insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.

As a student-athlete from Hungary, Coach Adam brings an international perspective to Patriot Swim Club, where his passion for swimming and water polo continues to shape his coaching philosophy. At 21 years old, Adam is already an experienced competitor, having balanced his rigorous training schedule with academic excellence. This drive for success, both in and out of the water, has led him to push boundaries and inspire others to do the same.

Starting her swimming journey at age 5 with Northpark Riptide, Coach Rachel’s connection to the Irvine swimming community is both deep and personal. Now a senior at Beckman High School, Rachel has over 12 years of swimming experience, and she knows firsthand what it takes to build a solid foundation for future success in the pool. As a competitive swimmer who holds multiple club records, Rachel is passionate about passing on the skills and values that have shaped her own journey.