Bachelor of Science in Education, emphasis Phys. Ed./Exercise Physiology

Master of Science in Education, emphasis Phys. Ed./Sports Medicine

American Swimming Coaches Association  - Level 4

Crossfit L1 Certified Trainer

Southern California Swimming Coaches’ Representative

Coach Monique joined Beach Cities Swimming in April 2013. The program had 102 kids on the roster.  From 2013 to present, the team has grown to 350+, the staff has doubled, the facilities have tripled, and the athletic accomplishments are off the charts!  Monique is on the National Junior Team Coaches list and has lifted BCS to the ranks of the 100 clubs in the USA.  Beach Cities Swimming, is recognized as a Silver Medal Club, and  looking to obtain Gold Medal Status while maintaining our mission of “Building World Class Character Through Excellence in Swimming.”

Before BCS, Monique spent seven years at Team Santa Monica, where she was a Head Site Coach, Senior Assistant, and Strength Coach for the National training group, as well as lead Age Group Coach. She has develop swimmers to compete at all levels from Junior Olympics, Sectionals, Jr. Nationals, Sr. Nationals, Open Water, US Open, Olympic Trials and Para-Olympic Trials.  Previously, held the Head Coach position at Streamline Aquatics, Head Age Group Coach for both Phoenix Swim Club and Scottsdale Aquatic Club, and has coached Division II Men’s and Women’s Swimming in Missouri and California. She brings over 35 years of coaching, teaching, and strength training experience to Beach Cities Swimming.

Monique is a firm believer that quality is more important than quantity. She strives to balance skill development with performance development because she sees this as the key to producing fast, healthy and well-rounded athletes. Physical literacy, including kinesthetic awareness, is a foundation in training at Beach Cities Swimming.

Monique has a lifelong love of sports and competition. She began her swimming career at age four with Phillip 66 Swim Club in Huntington Beach, CA, under the tutelage of Flip Darr and Don Gambril, two of America’s “Swimming Greats.”  Monique was a very accomplished multi-sport athlete: National JO’s  (now called Junior’s) All-State athlete in both basketball and track, and a College All-American in Javelin. Monique enjoys staying fit, racing outrigger canoes and always enjoys the fun of a good surf session.  The tapestry of formal educator training, personal athletic accomplishment, and breadth of coaching experience brings a distinct level of knowledge to Beach Cities Swimming. No matter where her path takes her, her heart is in the water and in competition. She will always keep her connection to the water and sharing what it means to be an athlete with others. 

Research/Publications:

Article: Rohrs, D., Shelton, M., Arabas, C., "The Relationship between seven Anaerobic Power Tests and Swim Performance," published Journal of Swimming Research. 1991; 6:4 15-19.

Abstract: "The Effects of Carbohydrate Supplements on Blood Lactate Concentrations and Heart Rates for Incremental Workloads." Clithero, L., Shelton, M., Arabas, C. Presented at the National Strength Coaches Meeting, San Diego, June 90.

American Swimming Coaches Association - Level 4

Now in his sixteenth season in SoCal Swimming's Pacific Committee, Coach Tim's goal is to keep things fast and fun, with a healthy dose of inspiration.  He encourages each member of his athletic family to be committed to each other (aka teamwork) and to the fulfillment of their individual athletic and academic potential.  His extensive and diverse coaching history has led him work with every level of athlete, from novice to pro.  Beginning way back in his high school days in the Cincinnati Country Club League, his coaching career includes some time as an undergraduate assistant at Kenyon College, one season at the CIF level with Harvard-Westlake School, six seasons with Team Santa Monica, three seasons with Swim Torrance and six seasons with Westside Aquatics.  Coach Tim's athletes have produced SCS records, National Top 10 performances and Junior National qualifying times.  From 2008-2010, he was the developmental coach of a 2016 & 2021 U.S. Olympian and 2015 World Champion.  Throughout his career (thanks to several great mentor coaches), he has been fortunate enough to work with some of the sport's best athletes, which include an American record holder, NCAA champions, U.S. and Australian Olympic Trials qualifiers, International Open Water medalists, National Junior Team members and numerous Junior and Senior National qualifiers.

As an athlete in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, Tim was a U.S. Open qualifier, Junior National qualifier, NAG Top-16 athlete and YMCA National Champion, while representing the Cincinnati Marlins and the M.E. Lyons YMCA.  However, it was his experience as a State Champion and All-American at Cincinnati St. Xavier High School that cemented his passion for the sport.  (Swimming World Magazine recently ranked the St. Xavier High School men's swimming team as the 3rd best high school program in history.)

After graduating from St. X in 1998, he competed for NCAA Division III powerhouse Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he was awarded All-Conference honors.  In 2002, he achieved a B.A. in History from Kenyon.

Jack started out his competitive swimming career and love of the sport in England at the age of six. While in England he was able to compete in the county championships and junior nationals two years in a row.

At the age of 13 Jack's family made the choice to move all the way to Perth, Australia. While in Australia Jack attended Tranby High School where he became their high school swimming champion and qualified for high school states two years in a row. His athleticism didn’t only consist of swimming, at Tranby he was also the captain of their cross-country team.

After graduating High School in 2010, his family made the choice to move to Jacksonville, Florida. Once in Jacksonville he began swimming competitively for the Bolles sharks, and just a year later Jack left Bolles to join Planet Swim Aquatics following his coach Gus Calado. 

While at Planet Swim Jack competed in Florida’s senior champs and the speedo sectional series 3 years in a row. He was also given the opportunity at the age of 18 to teach swim lessons at the Planet Swim School, and this is where his passion for teaching and coaching began.

After undergoing surgery on his knee Jack stopped swimming competitively and started coaching for Planet Swim’s year-round swim team. Jack then became their head swim instructor and head age group coach. His teaching and coaching were instrumental in making Planet Swim become one of the best swim schools and swim teams in North Florida.  Jack started out his competitive swimming career and love of the sport in England at the age of six. While in England he was able to compete in the county championships and junior nationals two years in a row.

At the age of 13 Jack's family made the choice to move all the way to Perth, Australia. While in Australia Jack attended Tranby High School where he became their high school swimming champion and qualified for high school states two years in a row. His athleticism didn’t only consist of swimming, at Tranby he was also the captain of their cross-country team.

After graduating High School in 2010, his family made the choice to move to Jacksonville, Florida. Once in Jacksonville he began swimming competitively for the Bolles sharks, and just a year later Jack left Bolles to join Planet Swim Aquatics following his coach Gus Calado. 

While at Planet Swim Jack competed in Florida’s senior champs and the speedo sectional series 3 years in a row. He was also given the opportunity at the age of 18 to teach swim lessons at the Planet Swim School, and this is where his passion for teaching and coaching began.

After undergoing surgery on his knee Jack stopped swimming competitively and started coaching for Planet Swim’s year-round swim team. Jack then became their head swim instructor and head age group coach. His teaching and coaching were instrumental in making Planet Swim become one of the best swim schools and swim teams in North Florida.

Coach Aki’s passion for swimming began at the age of 2 in Tokyo, Japan. She swam competitively for the Tobiuo Japan Swim Club before moving to the US as a 7 year old. Coach Aki’s specialties were Butterfly and Breaststroke. She capped her final junior swim meet by winning a gold medal at the Summer JOs way back in 1982! Coach Aki was a two-sport athlete early on, eventually choosing to focus on tennis. By the age of 13, she was ranked #1 in SoCal for the 8, 10, 12, 14, and the 18 & under age groups. She was also ranked #1 in the US for the 12&under and 14&under national age groups, often traveling as part of the country’s National Team. At the age of 15, she joined the WTA pro tennis tour. Highlights include traveling all around the world, eventually earning a spot at the US Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open Grand Slams. Multiple injuries forced an early retirement. She graduated from Westlake School for Girls (now Harvard-Westlake) in 1991, earned her BA from Middlebury College and a MA Ed. from Pepperdine University. Coach Aki's primary job for the past 21 years has been a proud elementary school teacher whose passion for swimming allowed her to be on deck for two years at Westside Aquatics, coaching Pre-Comp and Age Group swimmers before moving to Beach Cities with her daughters, Bella and Gabi. Coach Aki loves laughing, learning, eating, cooking, traveling, dogs, and watching swimmers enjoy their journey in the pool and on the deck. Go BCS!

Melissa has developed a great passion for swimming over the past 16 years. She was a competitive swimmer from elementary school through high school. In college, Melissa was an Assistant Swim Coach for Robinson High school in Fairfax, VA, from 2007-2008. She also helped as a special needs private swim instructors.

One of my passions is to work with children who have Down syndrome, Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, and with children who have other multiple disorders or handicaps. I have a great deal of experience with teaching water safety to these swim students and was the person my boss would send these pupils to at my former swim instruction job. 

This past High School season Melissa was an Assistant Swim Coach for the JV team at Mira Costa High School.  Before joining Beach Cities she was a Lead Senior 2 Coach at Swim Torrance and assisted with the rest of the groups from Sharks to Age Groups from Oct 2018 to April 2019.

I graduated with my B.A. in Sociology from George Mason University in 2009. After college I was a substitute teacher, predominately with special needs children for K through 12th Grade. I have taught all levels of American Red Cross classes: Baby and Me, Toddler and Me, Levels 1 to 6, Stroke Mechanics 1 to 5, and Adults Classes. Melissa strives on being patient with her athletes and also adapting to their needs. She looks forward to helping BCS continue to grow in the South Bay.