Coaching

I've been swimming for as long as I can remember and began working as an instructor and coach in 2017. 

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When I first transitioned into this career, I worked at SwimRight Academy at the Westside JCC, teaching kids of all ages and abilities. I also helped run their pre-team program, preparing kids for swim team life. 

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Not long after, I launched my own business, Stotan Swimming, where I’ve coached everyone from kids learning basic water safety to masters swimmers in their 70s, teenage competitors, and athletes training for triathlons and marathon swims.

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Since 2019, I’ve been coaching WH2Ocean, the open water division of West Hollywood Aquatics, one of the top USMS (United States Masters Swimming) teams in LA. It’s a seasonal program where we hold weekly ocean workouts from June through September—perfect for swimmers who want to take on the challenge of open water.

 

From 2019 to 2024, I was the Head Coach for JV and Varsity at Notre Dame Academy in Culver City. During that time, the teams made huge strides—improving their best times, climbing up in league rankings, sending athletes to CIFs, and breaking school records that had stood for over a decade. I focused a lot on teamwork, dedication, and creating personalized training plans, but I also really emphasized mental and emotional health, because I believe it’s all connected. This mindset helped the swimmers form strong bonds with each other as well as the coaching staff, which lasted long after they left the pool.

 

In 2023, I volunteered as a coach for two tandem relays across the 21-mile Catalina Channel, working with both youth and masters swimmers through the non-profit organization Ocean Fever. It was an amazing experience, and mentoring such a diverse group of swimmers in that setting was unforgettable.

 

These days, I’m an Assistant Coach with Chapman University Swim & Dive in Orange, CA. Go Panthers!

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