Andy Copley
Owner / Founder
Contact Email
Roles:
Head Coach
Managing Director
Hello and thank you for checking out Horizon Swimming! My name is Andy Copley, co-founder and co-owner of the team along with my business partner Tomoko Naka. I was born and raised in the picturesque town of Missoula, Montana where I swam for the Missoula Aquatic Club from the age of 8 to 17. While I enjoyed swimming competetively at a high level, my first love was theatre and performing on stage, which guided me through my teenage and college years.
My academic journey led me to the University of Montana, where I immersed myself in Theatre and received a BA in Theatre Education. After college, I headed to the bustling city of Los Angeles, initially chasing the acting dream. My path took an unexpected turn though while working at the Santa Monica YMCA, and I discovered my passion for coaching swimming. It started as a simple side gig while I auditioned for roles, but swiftly grew into my profound vocation. Witnessing the growth and development of young athletes filled me with immense joy and gave me a sense of purpose I had not found in acting.
Coaching has taken me across the globe from Santa Monica to New York City, the Cayman Islands, and now Thousand Oaks. My coaching philosophy centers on empowering athletes to be independent. I firmly believe that when athletes take control of their swimming, their achievements and setbacks carry greater significance, and the lessons they learn are deeper and more meaningful. Alongside my business partner, Tomoko, we’ve dedicated ourselves to building Horizon Swimming into a community-oriented, family-friendly team. We uphold the highest standards of competition while hoping to impart invaluable life skills to young swimmers, shaping them not only as champions in the water but as better individuals beyond it.
Favorite Album: Make Yourself by Incubus
Best Vacation Spot: Governor's Beach on Grand Cayman
Most Recent Read: Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Favorite Sports Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Tomoko Naka
Owner / Founder
Contact Email
Roles:
Associate Head Coach
Financial Director
Thank you for your interest in Horizon Swimming! My name is Tomoko Naka and I hail from the vibrant city of Osaka, Japan. As co-owner and co-founer, I bring nearly 20 years of swimming and coaching experience to Horizon Swimming. My journey through the world of swimming is marked with ups and downs. I left the sport as a teeanger thinking I would never come back to it, but have rediscovered my love for the pool as an adult by way of coaching.
In my teenage years, I represented my home club in Japan at the 2004 Olympic Trials for Athens in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle events. My formative years in the sport were shaped by traditional Japanese coaching methods, emphasizing meticulous stroke technique from an early age. I try to infuse my coaching with a unique blend of discipline and fun, ensuring that each day in the pool is not only about honing skills but also becoming a great teammate and learning to love the sport.
I am proud to have been able to coach at one of the top swimming programs in the US while living in New York City and worked with athletes who helped me earn recognition as a coach on the Metropolitan Swimming All-Star Staff on three separate occasions. Most notably, I served as the Head Coach of the 2017 Winter/Spring Metropolitan Swimming All-Star Team. Through my experience as both a swimmer and a coach, I hope to inspire and guide the next generation of swimmers toward success both in and out of the water.
Favorite Food: Fermented Beans YUM!!!
Favorite Movie: The Notebook
Pets: Tetsu the pug, and I'm actively looking for a second dog
Fun Fact: Can cook "Minute Rice" in 59 seconds
Yarrow London
Yarrow Athens
Hi! I'm Beca! My journey combines the worlds of artistry and aquatics, where I hope to create a unique blend of creativity, leadership, and passion. After earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston, MA, I returned to competitive swimming, rekindling my love for the sport. As a practicing professional artist residing in Calabasas, I channel my creativity into multi-media art, with a particular focus on Hand Papermaking. My work revolves around themes of positivity and self-reflection, aiming to evoke emotions and introspection through visual expression.
My leadership journey in swimming began as the Captain of the Girl’s Swimming and Dive Team at Niskayuna High School in Niskayuna, NY. In this role, I worked hard to forg lasting bonds among our team of 30 members, fostering camaraderie and motivating us to strive for excellence. I organized special team events that brought us together and set high-performance goals that pushed us to achieve our best. I also swim club for the Albany Starfish, a USA Swimming team based in Albany, NY.
Beyond competing, I have developed a true passion for teaching and water safety. I served as a swim instructor at Excel Aquatics in Albany, the Jewish Community Center in Schenectady, NY, and the Niskayuna Town Pool, sharing my expertise and ensuring others could enjoy the water safely. In 2021, I made a triumphant return to the pool deck, rekindling my involvement with competitive swimming. My journey with Horizon has been transformative, elevating my coaching abilities and deepening my understanding of the sport. Working with swimmers of all age ranges has fueled my passion for swimming and coaching, and I look forward to guiding the next generation of athletes on their own aquatic journeys.
Favorite Song: Turning It Up For The Sunshine by The Tribe of Good
Best Fast Food Chain: Sbarro Pizza
Last Amazon Purchase: DJI Osmo Phone Stabilizer
Favorite Artist: Salvador Dali
Simi Valley London
Simi Valley Athens
Hello Rizers! I’m Coach Katie, a proud Texan who’s soaked up the sunny vibes of Southern California for the past two decades. My heart belongs to my wonderful spouse, and together we’re raising a spirited trio: two lovely girls and an energetic young boy.
My competitive swimming journey started when I was just four years old, and carried me all the way into my twenties where I swam collegiately for Southern Methodist University (Go Mustangs!). Along the way and long into adulthood, I’ve donned various hats – lifeguard, swim instructor, swim team coach, and even aquatics director. You could say I’ve made quite a splash in the world of aquatic activities.
But my life isn’t all about chlorine and laps. Our home is like a mini theater and baseball diamond combined. So, you can imagine the colorful mix of drama and sports that fills our daily lives. It’s a whirlwind, and I absolutely love it! Being a part of this team is like my daily escape to the shimmering world of competitive swimming, and I'm so excited to share my love of the water with your young athletes!
Favorite Dessert/Treat: Plain vanilla cupcake with white icing
Current TV Obsession: The Morning Show
Most Prized Possession: LA Marathon Medal (ran it while pregnant)
First Concert: Sting
Simi Valley Rio Group
Bio coming soon!
Beijing Group
My name is Maxim Grinfeld, originally from the historic town of Nazareth, Israel. My journey to to the United States and Los Angeles, where I've lived almost my entire life, started at the tender age of 3. It was here in LA that I embarked on my long and incredible journey in the world of competitive swimming, a passion that ignited when I was just 5 years old. My formative years were spent in the neighborhoods of West Hollywood and the LA Basin before finding my home in the San Fernando Valley.
After graduating high school, I attend the University of California Santa Barbara, where I pursued a degree in Mathematics. Upon completion of my program, an irresistible pull drew me back to the embrace of my friends and family in the City of Angels. Today I work professionaly as a software engineer, a profession that seamlessly blends my mathematics background with my masters degree from Grand Canyon University in computer science.
As a swimmer I excelled in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM. While I now primarily swim just for leisure, I also indulge in the world of masters water polo whenever time permits. Swimming has been the fire in which my character was forged, molding me not only physically but also mentally. As a coach, my goal is to kindle the same passion for this sport in my students that I have. I want to help my swimmers not only enjoy their time in the water, but to help show them the value of being a member of Horizon Swimming and how it can help them grow outside of the pool.
Favorite Food: Ramen
Spirit Animal: Polar Bear
Favorite TV Quote: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take -Wayne Gretzky" -Michael Scott
Favorite Store: Mind Games
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tetsu
Pawsident of the Board
Ambassador of Snoring
Contact:
Shadow
Vice Pawsident
Kibble Consultant
Contact:
