Coaches
Ed Carrera is the Program Director for North Irvine Water Polo Club. Ed Carrera began his aquatics career as a 7 year old in Irvine swimming for coaches Flip Darr, Dave Salo, Ken Lamont, Mindy Doherty, Ed French, and Lydia Abshier. Swimming with the likes of Jason Lezak, John Mykanen, Brian Pajer, Coleman and Chad Hundeby and many other accomplished swimmers.
Carrera was a four-year letterman at Irvine High School (swimming for Scott Hinman, Greg Gray, and Ken Dory), and qualified for CIF by the time he was a sophomore. Carrera also earned his junior national time standards for the 200yd breaststroke. Carrera then focused his attention to water polo.
In 1995 Carrera began his water polo coaching career as the assistant coach at Woodbridge High School for both polo and swim under Alex Abishier and Tom Norton Sr. (separate tenors). After Tom Norton left the program, Ed was named head water polo coach at 19 years old. After a 2 year coaching stint he decided to get back in the water as an athlete and attended his 2nd year at Saddleback College under his age group coach and mentor Flip Darr, Michael Santo, and Larry Larson. He was named captain, 1st team all conference, and was in the top 10 for goals scored and assists in California. He was then recruited by Dennis Ploessel at Chapman University where he was named captain but because of financials, could not continue and left Chapman shortly after.
In 2006, Carrera took over the Northwood High School Head water polo position (for brother Steve Carrera) and was the assistant swim coach along side (age group coach) Ken Lamont. At the same time he was asked to join the Concordia University Irvine Water Polo Coaching staff by (his High School Coach) Ken Dory, where he finished his under grad. Carrera left Concordia in 2010 for an opportunity to start a program from scratch. In 2010-2012, Carrera was the Aquatics Director at Vanguard University, where he was the Head Coach for both Swimming and Water Polo (Men’s and Women’s).
Ed is the current Head Swim Coach and Head Boys and Girls Water Polo Coach at Orange Lutheran High School where he (along with Steve Carrera) was part of the Division 1 CIF Championship Girls and Boys team in 2017 and State Champions for the girls team in 2018. He also coached a season at Portola High School in the fall of 2019 along side coach Kate Avery. Carrera's best finish at Junior Olympics was 3rd in 2017 with the 16U Girls recieving the bronze medal. In addition, Ed Carrera is a 2010, 2012, 2015, 2018 Member of the Ecuador SR. Men’s National Water Polo Team and competed in the Pan American Games in Toronto the summer of 2015. Carrera is also the program Director of Speed Aquatics (USA Swimming Club)and has been the head coach for the Woodbury Waves (Irvine Swim League Team) for the last 8 years, and guided the Waves to a 2012 Division 4 Championship, 2013 Division 3 Championship, and 2014 Division 2 Championship, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 Division 1 Championship. Carrera is a graduate of Concordia University Irvine where he received his Bachelors Degree in Business and Leadership and has a wife, Kaylen and 3 children, Kyson, Fiori, and Isla.
Chelsea Harrod is currently the Age Group Director for North Irvine Water Polo Club and the assistant coach at Orange Lutheran High school.
She has led 3 teams to top finishes at Junior Olympics;
(2019) 12&U Girls- 4th Place*
(2018) 12&U Girls- 4th Place*
(2017) 10&U CoEd- 5th Place*
Prior to North Irvine WPC, she coached at Newport Beach Water Polo club and Newport Harbor High School, Coaching boys and girls ages (10u-16u)
Chelsea played on the Women’s water polo team at Concordia University of Irvine, majoring in Business Marketing. Prior to transferring to Concordia, Chelsea played water polo at Riverside Community College (2009) for legendary Coach, Dave Almquist. During her year at Riverside, Chelsea led her team to an Undefeated State title with a record of (32-0). She was named first team All-American, All-Regional, and All-Conference as well as selected 1 of 7 players to earn All-State honors.
Harrod was also a member of Riverside’s women’s swim team. During her swimming career at RCC, she qualified for 5 events for the State Swimming Championship. Chelsea placed top 8 in all 5 events as well as earning All-American Honors in (Ind. 50 & 100 yd. Breaststroke, 100 yd. Individual Medley, and the 200 & 400 yd. Medley Relays). Harrod was Captain of both the Women’s Water Polo and Swim team.
Chelsea graduated from Murrieta Valley High School in 2009 where she played for Head Coach Bryan Lynton. During her high school water polo career, her team won Back-to-Back CIF titles in 2007 and 2008. She received All CIF & All American honors. Chelsea began her age group water polo career for Elite Water Polo Club (Murrieta, CA) under Coach Bryan Lynton.
Chelsea strives to encourage the youth to pursue their passions, and fulfill their dreams. Harrod firmly believes a strong program emphasizes team togetherness and unselfish play.
Tim currently teaches K-6 in the Irvine Unified School District. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Education from Concordia University Irvine, and his Multiple Subject, Teaching Credential from CalStateTEACH (CSULA) in Primary Education (K-6).
Tim has over 25+ years of aquatic experience as a swimmer athlete and water polo club player, club youth / coach in Orange County, CA. He began coaching at the age of fifteen in Lake Forest as a Dolphin where he learned to swim and coach under Coach John and Rita Bandarak. He graduated from S.M.C.H.S. and coached with the Blanc Family, Kevin Ricks, Craig Brown for seven years, was a varsity scholar/athlete & twice received Most Inspirational Player Award in 2003 & 2004. Tim helped coach the Eagles to 7 x F.S./J.V. Serra / Trinity League Championships in swimming & water polo from 2005-2012. In 2013, Tim became a Youth Director of Alliance Boys Water Polo Club. Under Coach Tim’s supervision, his teams medaled 4 of his 6 years at National Junior Olympics: 2019 - 12U boys 2nd place finish (Silver Div.) 2018 - 12U Boys 1st (Bronze Div.) 2015 - 12U boys: 1st place finalist (Gold Div.) 2014 14U boys 2nd place (Gold Div.). Tim is also a former Head Coach in the Irvine Swim League, Oak Creek Orcas. He led his team to a 2013 Div. III championship in the I.S.L.
As a former High School Swimming & Water Polo coach, in 2015 Tim helped Steve Yancey coach Capistrano Valley High School Varsity Boys team to a CIF Div. III Runner Up Finalist Award, and a Sea View League Championship. Prior to CVHS, he coached Dana Hills High School as a 3x South Coast League Champion in swimming and water polo (2012-2013). Other club coaching experiences include assistant coaching SOCAL W.P.C. Youth Boys (2011) - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Swimming & Water Polo (2005 - 2012). (2012) O.C.W.P.C. Girls 12U & High School Boys / Alliance W.P.C. - Dana Hills High School Swimming & Water Polo (2012-2014) & Capistrano Valley High School Assistant Varsity/ JV Head Coach Swimming & Water Polo (2015-2017).
Tim brings a high standard of excellence in youth development in the community of Irvine, teaching within the Irvine Unified School District: K-6 classrooms, creating a safe, healthy and competitive environment for young student/athletes to grow. His love for water polo and love for teaching young children make him a natural, fulfilling his role as coach of the 12U Boys at North Irvine Water Polo Club.
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