Meet them all
SEBASTIAN CORDOBA VALENCIA
HEAD COACH
Meet Coach Sebastian – The Heart of Patriot Swim Club!
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!
DUJE GRUBISIC
ACTING PRESIDENT
Coach Duje: The Foundation of Patriot Swim Club
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.
PAULA FERNANDEZ
SWIM COACH
Elite Experience, Passion for Coaching
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.
Paula’s passion for swimming is infectious, and she believes that swimming not only builds physical strength but also instills confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of community. As a coach, she is dedicated to creating a positive and motivating environment, where swimmers are encouraged to push their limits and develop both their technical skills and love for the sport. With her international perspective and deep competitive experience, Paula is a valuable asset to the Patriot Swim Club team, ready to guide the next generation of swimmers to success.
IAN PISOR
SWIM COACH
Coach Ian brings a lifetime of swimming expertise and a love for teaching to the Patriot Swim Club. Beginning his swim journey at just five years old, he developed his competitive spirit through high school swimming, culminating in CIF championship competitions in San Diego. Today, as an active member of the UCI club swim team, Ian continues to excel in his signature strokes: backstroke and butterfly.
In addition to his swimming accomplishments, Ian is a dedicated student of chemistry and biology at UCI. This academic background enhances his understanding of biomechanics and performance, bringing a unique edge to his coaching. Known for his attention to detail, Ian is passionate about guiding young swimmers in mastering body balance, underwater efficiency, precise turns, and powerful dives—technical skills that serve as the foundation for success in competitive swimming.
With Ian, swimmers not only build their technique but also gain confidence and a deep appreciation for the sport. His goal is to create an environment where swimmers push beyond their limits, learn the value of discipline, and, most importantly, enjoy every moment in the water.
RYAN HATCHER
SWIM COACH
Elite Training, Passionate Teaching
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.
But beyond his accomplishments, what sets Coach Ryan apart is his dedication to helping every swimmer grow, no matter their skill level. Having been coached by the best, he understands the importance of personal connection and tailored guidance. His coaching is focused not just on improving technique but also on fostering a love for the sport that will inspire swimmers to push their limits. Parents can rest assured knowing that Ryan, who has been trusted with the highest standards of training, is equally committed to creating a positive, fun, and motivating environment for young athletes.
ALEX NIETO
HEAD SWIM COACH
Alex Nieto is a highly respected swim coach in Irvine, California, with more than 20 years of experience developing swimmers at the club, high school, and national championship levels. He currently serves as the Head Coach of the Northwood High School Boys and Girls Swim & Dive program and is Head Coach of the North Irvine Knights summer league program, where he has led the Knights for the past 15 seasons. Throughout his career, Alex has earned a reputation for building successful teams, developing well-rounded athletes, and creating a culture of excellence centered on long-term growth and performance.
Over more than 20 years at Northwood High School, Alex has helped establish one of California's premier public high school swimming programs. His teams have consistently competed among the state's best, producing CIF champions, record-setting performances, and numerous collegiate swimmers. In 2025, he led the Northwood boys' team to CIF State Championship title, securing the program's second state title and first since 2018. In recognition of this achievement and his outstanding leadership, Alex was honored as SwimSwam's Competitor Coach of the Month. Alex has been named OC Register's Coach of the Year twice - in 2018 for the boys team and in 2022 for the girls team.
His success in building championship level programs has helped in developing athletes from age group to senior level swimming. He has had multiple athletes compete at the Junior Olympic, Sectional, Future, and Junior/Senior National levels.
Alex's coaching philosophy is rooted in an athlete-centered approach that prioritizes both athletic excellence and personal growth. He believes success is built through technical mastery, consistent effort, accountability, and a positive team culture. His programs emphasize long-term development, helping athletes build confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and a lifelong love for the sport. This commitment to putting athletes first has been recognized throughout the Southern California swimming community.
Known for his passion, mentorship, and ability to inspire athletes to exceed their own expectations, Alex strives to develop not only faster swimmers but stronger, more confident young men and women. His leadership philosophy focuses on creating an environment where every athlete can pursue excellence, contribute to a team, and reach their full potential both in and out of the pool.
Coaching Philosophy Statement
"My goal as a coach is to help every athlete become the best version of themselves. Through technical excellence, accountability, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement, I aim to create an environment where swimmers develop confidence, resilience, and a passion for excellence that extends beyond the pool. Success is measured not only by championships and records, but by the character, leadership, and life skills athletes gain throughout their journey."
OLIVIA LIU
SWIM COACH
Creating Confidence Through Swimming
From the moment Olivia joined Patriot Swim Club at the age of 13, she discovered more than just a team — she found a family and a lifelong passion. Swimming quickly became a defining part of her life, shaping her discipline, resilience, and love for the sport.
As her journey in the water deepened, Olivia’s enthusiasm evolved into something even greater: a passion for coaching. Over the past few years, she has embraced the opportunity to guide young swimmers, finding joy in helping them develop confidence and a love for swimming. Her calm, patient nature and genuine connection with kids make her an inspiring role model both on and off the pool deck.
Beyond coaching, Olivia is dedicated to understanding how children grow and learn. She is currently pursuing her interest in child development and education, supported by internships and hands-on experience in preschools and church programs. These experiences have strengthened her ability to motivate and nurture young athletes in meaningful ways.
Olivia continues to balance her busy life as a student-athlete at Beckman High School and a competitive swimmer for Patriot Swim Club, demonstrating exceptional commitment and time management. During the summer, she also competes and coaches for the Park Paseo Northstars, bringing her energy and passion to the ISL community.
Every day on deck, Olivia strives to pass on the same encouragement and love for swimming that once inspired her. Her story is a true example of how leadership, dedication, and heart come together at Patriot Swim Club.
TAITO MORI
SWIM COACH
With nearly 13 years of swimming experience, Taito Mori brings a deep passion for the sport to his coaching. He began swimming at the age of 4 in Japan and, after moving to the U.S. in 2016, found a home with Patriot Swim Club, where he's been a dedicated swimmer for 8 years. Now a junior in high school, Taito has spent the past 2 years sharing his love for swimming as a coach with the ABC group.
As a coach, Taito is committed to making practices both fun and educational. He strives to create an environment where young swimmers not only build their skills but also develop a genuine excitement for returning to the pool. His goal is to ensure every swimmer leaves practice feeling accomplished and eager for the next lesson, embodying the true Patriot spirit.
Taito’s unique blend of experience as both a swimmer and coach, coupled with his focus on making learning enjoyable, makes him an excellent guide for young swimmers looking to improve their skills and grow in the sport.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Patriot Aquatics is committed to creating a highly competitive athletic environment in an atmosphere instilled with high ethical values.
Through world-class coaching, Patriot Aquatics strives to build self-esteem, character, teamwork, and a strong work ethic, and we encourage our student-athletes to apply these values to all aspects of their lives.
Why Patriot?
The Club provides it's members with the tools and opportunities to become great players, people, and leaders.
- We have world-class coaches who have excelled in their sports, and have widespread college connections
- We train in a state-of-the-art Olympic-size pool
- We have modern equipment plus extra training aids to help advance your skills
- We participate in monthly tournaments to improve your live game skills
- You will have excellent preparation to play and swim on your high school team
- You will develop friends for life – the Patriot family!
- You will learn and grow in a healthy, competitive, team environment
- You will learn commitment, discipline, and giving a 100% effort
- Our double-goal coaching philosophy ensures that you will also learn valuable life lessons along with winning
- You will be able to serve our community through our outreach program
PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance)
Patriot Aquatics models PCA's goals:
- The Double-Goal Coach, whose first goal is winning, and whose second, more important goal is teaching life lessons through sports.
- The Second-Goal Parent, who concentrates on life lessons, while letting coaches and athletes focus on competing.
- The Triple-Impact Competitor, who strives to impact sport on three levels by improving oneself, teammates, and the games as a whole.
Coach Tijmen Egtberts was recently selected to be a 2021 Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach Award recipient. He was in a class of 100 coaches across all sports and was the only water polo coach to be given the award.
Coach Duje Grubisic was recently selected to be a 2020 Coach of Character Award recipient by the Orange County Athletic Director Association.
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