Coronado water polo?

A Note from Jesse Smith

My name is Jesse Smith, and thank you for visiting the water polo page of Coronado Aquatics Club. First off, this is a work in progress, with a lot of behind the scenes help from parents and alumni. Thank you to these wonderful supportive people.

Practice Schedule and Team Goals

Right now, our youth team is practicing Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. You're more than welcome to try out one of our practices if you get a USA Water Polo membership and talk to me.

Vision

Our goal is to serve the kids in the Coronado and surrounding community by offering an opportunity to be good at water polo, relying on a growth mindset and creating a positive environment. For the middle school age group, I believe this is especially important.

Coaching Philosophy and Plan

Our program is designed to accommodate participants of all skill levels and ages. We take pride in teaching water polo to 8th and 9th graders, regardless of their prior experience. Our program runs from mid-August unti mid-July, it’s best to start at the first season so that we can learn all the fundamentals and grow as a group, please talk to Coach Jesse if you plan on jumping in at a different point, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. While swimming skills are a prerequisite, the most crucial attribute we seek is courage — the courage to engage in what is arguably the world's most challenging sport. Water polo demands consistent egg-beater kicking (a form of treading water) and is physically taxing. If you're interested in playing water polo, our season begins in the fall, around August 22, and comprises four cycles extending through to the end of July. The season culminates in the Junior Olympics, a youth age group championship.

Our Amazing Coaches

Coronado has been blessed with exceptional leadership in water polo, notably through the legendary coach, Randall Burgess. Burgess, who dedicated many years to the Coronado community, developed players that ranked among the top in the United States. Under his guidance, teams won numerous CIF championships and players frequently went on to compete at top NCAA colleges. Preceding him were coaches like water polo coach Larry Cartwright and swim coach Mike Troy, a Navy SEAL and Olympic Gold Medalist, both of whom played pivotal roles in establishing Coronado as a high-performing aquatics community.

In addition to Coach Burgess, we were fortunate to have John Reichart and David Throop, outstanding youth coaches. These coaches were not only skilled but also empathetic, understanding the challenges athletes face and providing guidance in both skill development and leadership.

These coaches have significantly contributed to the success of our athletes, creating a nurturing and positive legacy for the entire community.

The Special Community of Coronado

The distinctiveness of Coronado as a water polo destination stems from a unique blend of military families, successful businesspeople, and a vibrant influx of new families. Our community has been enriched by visitors who come to play water polo, stay, and contribute meaningfully to our local culture. Another unique aspect is our ability to interact outside of practice sessions. Just yesterday, while having lunch, I encountered several team parents. Our children often see each other while biking around town. In our close-knit community, everyone knows each other, which greatly benefits both our sports team's culture and the community as a whole. This closeness is also why we emphasize positive communication. In a small town, it's crucial to treat each other with respect and offer constructive criticism.

Why is this important? Success...

When our coaches dedicated themselves to their athletes' success, the results were impressive. Athletes went on to attend prestigious universities such as UCLA, Stanford, Princeton, UCSD, Berkeley, Pepperdine, the Naval Academy, UC Davis, University of the Pacific, UC Santa Barbara, San Diego State, San Jose State, Long Beach State, and others. These coaches set exceptionally high standards, making extraordinary achievements seem normal. However, achieving greatness is far from normal; it demands a tremendous amount of work and relies heavily on community volunteerism. Families like the Bents, Bowens, Beaubians, Herrons, and many others have been instrumental in this process. These families, including those who served as presidents of boards, have supported the coaches, served the athletes, and helped create an environment conducive to intense success.

Reflecting on "Why?"

Upon reflection, the true measure of our success isn't solely in the fact that some of our athletes joined the Olympic team, or that most of our high school players continued through their collegiate years to become team leaders. Nor is it just that they went on to win NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) championships. What truly defines our success is how they have represented Coronado beyond sports — in business, the military, and community endeavors. Our athletes have made significant positive impacts, and we take great pride in their multifaceted accomplishments