Coaches
 
 
Lauren Skinner - Head Coach
ASCA Level 1&2
I have been swimming competitively since age 8, and began competitive water polo at age 13. Through water polo, I was able to compete against the top 100 teams from across the country at the Junior Olympics for several years.  Although sidelined by shoulder surgery during college at USC, I was able to swim recreationally.  Because I can't stay out of the water, after graduating college I began competing in open water swims and triathlons. Among many ocean swims, I've completed the Alcatraz swim numerous times, and competed in dozens of triathlons, including several Ironman events.  I credit water polo with my ability to navigate large groups of swimmers! 
After more than 10 years in the corporate world, I was lucky enough to join the Riptides in 2017, and became the head coach in 2019.  Over these years the team has grown both in speed and in spirit! I am so honored to be able to watch our swimmers grow into great athletes and great people.  I firmly believe that once a swimmer, always a swimmer- and try to impart a love for the sport in all of our athletes. 
 
Dennis Lee - Associate Head Coach
Gold Group
As a swimmer I was a 12 year Age Group swimmer for Rose Bowl Aquatics, where I was able to reach the Sectionals level.  After graduating from Temple City High School, I swim for 1 year at UC Santa Cruz (Division 3).  Some of my strongest events were the 200IM, 100 Fly, and 200 Free. 
In December 2018, I joined the Riptides as the Silver 2 coach, and was soon promoted to Senior Coach of our Gold practice group. I was able to represent the Riptides for the past 2 years as an SCS Festival All-Star coach, and have had the honor of coaching swimmers up to (and beyond?) the Futures level. 
Fun Fact: I have swam a relay that got disqualified 3 times over the course of a 75. I was responsible for two of those disqualifications!
 
 
Olga Tovstogan, MBA- Coach
Silver 2
ASCA Level 1&2
With 18 years of swimming experience, including achieving an Olympic Cut in 2012, I bring extensive knowledge and expertise to help swimmers excel in their club training and competitions. As a 12-time Pacific Conference Champion, twice named Swimmer of the Year, top-2 finalist in the NCAA Championships, and a competitor in World and European Championships, I exemplify dedication, resilience, and a passion for excellence. With my educational background with a bachelor's in psychology and a master's degree in business, along with a Harvard certification in business and computer science, I bring a holistic perspective to enhancing performance and managing swimming-related endeavors. My coaching style focuses on refining techniques, optimizing performance, and fostering a supportive team environment. Through personalized training plans and tailored feedback, I am committed to helping each swimmer reach their goals and unlock their full potential. 
email: olga.tovstogan @arcadiaswimclub.org
 
Kelin Michael, Ph.D.- Coach
Silver 1
I started swimming competitively at age 9 for Portage Aquatic Club in southwest Michigan, making it to the State level in several events before I graduated high school (meet divisions are a bit different here and I’m still learning all the levels!). I was a varsity athlete in swimming and water polo throughout high school before swimming in college for all four years at Oberlin in Ohio (Division III). I was co-captain of the team my senior year and helped lead us to our first undefeated dual meet season in over a decade. I continued to swim for Emory University’s masters swim team while in graduate school in Atlanta, until the pandemic came in 2020(!!!). Swimming has changed my life, both in and out of the pool. I have made lifelong friends through the sport, have learned how to prioritize and time manage, and have figured out how to overcome adversity (I was diagnosed with a fractured spine at age 14). I am committed to helping young swimmers find their love for the sport and accomplish their goals safely, whether it be by achieving their first JO cut, or by being a good teammate and role model. I incorporate technique work, aerobic, and anaerobic work during swim practice (and coordination and strength work during dryland) to ensure that everyone in Silver 1 levels up as a well-rounded swimmer. I can’t wait to see what we can do!
 
David Schmall- Coach
Pre-competition
 
Eszter Heins- Coach
Stroke Development
I started swimming competitively at age four in Houston, Texas. After stints in England and Germany, where I trained under coaches from all over the world, I returned to Houston where I excelled in all four strokes and a variety of distances at the junior national level. I was recruited to UC San Diego to swim primarily the 200 fly and 400 IM but also competed in breastroke and distance freestyle. 
My coaching and mentorship philosophy is—first and foremost—to foster a love for the sport and the water and to prepare our youth for both success in swimming and life beyond the pool. In practices, technical development is paramount to building a well-rounded swimmer and avoiding injury. With a technical base in place and being continually fostered, I believe that the building blocks of self confidence, work ethic, attention to detail, and coachability will undoubtedly help our swimmers thrive in the pool and all their future endeavors.