Coaches & Directors

The primary function of the Head Coach is to supervise the entire BEAR coaching staff. The BEAR coaching staff is responsible for implementing the training and methods established by the Head Coach in the development of competitive swimmers through daily practice sessions. BEAR coaches are dedicated to providing a training environment that motivates the competitive swimmer to improve and excel. Swimmer retention, progression and satisfaction are the principle goals of the coaching staff. The commitment between coach and swimmer is a two way street. The more you put in the more you should expect. This is true for both coach and swimmer.

Coaching Staff

Carol Nip

Head Coach

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Carol grew up in Kingston, Jamaica where there were frequent trips to the local swimming pool and beach.  Competitive high school swim in earlier years led to masters swimming in later years.  She majored in Social Science at San Francisco State Univeristy and continued graduate edcuation at Golden Gate Univeristy.  She is currently working on higher certification with the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA).  As a home educator, teaching elementary and junior high groups for more than a decade, Carol finds coaching to be a form of teaching that allows her to remain in the swim world and to impact kids in a positive way.  She is also Head Coach of the Contra Costa Christian High School team, Cougar, in Walnut Creek.

 

Frank Natalizio

Senior Team Coach

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Asked, “What do you plan to accomplish and achieve while at Cal?” Frank responded, "I want to be the fastest I’ve ever been, and graduate with a degree in art." He did both. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley, Frank includes his art at the firehouse Kustom Rockart Company in West Oakland, creating cutting edge, screen printed gig posters, tour posters as well as digital design for a wide array of clients including Eric Clapton, Queens of the Stone Age, Warner Bros., Virgin Records, and more. A two-time Olympic trials swimmer in 2000 and 2004, Frank coaches the elite team of BEAR Swimming at the Contra Costa College in San Pablo. He challenges swimmers to be faster than they’ve ever been.   

Pat Malaga

Blue Group Coach

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Patrick Malaga is a longtime El Cerrito and U.S. Masters swimmer. A graduate of California College of the Arts in Architecture, Pat designs sound systems for the community through his local business, Sound Advice in El Sobrante. He is father of three sons, sharing his hobbies of swimming and drag racing with them. Pat tutors in the West County Unified School District, provides counsel to the De Anza High School Rotary Interact Club, is Director of Operations for BEAR Swimming, and best of all, he enjoys teaching swimmers as a Blue Group Coach.  Wherever you may find Pat, you will find a smile and a kind word.    

Board of Directors

Gary Firestone

President

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Pat Malaga

Director of Operations

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Carol Nip

Zone II Representative

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Laura Gomez

Treasurer

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Julio Enciso, Sr.

Member at Large

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Sarah Chavez

Secretary

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