South Fulton Swordfish

Georgia Swimming

Coaches & Directors

SFS is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit swim team administered by a parent-volunteer Board of Directors. We are here to support your needs.

If you have questions related to workouts, meets, events, goal setting, and other swimming-related needs, please contact one of the coaches after practice time; if you have an immediate need, Board Members are available during practice sessions and can act as a liaison for an assistant to the Coaching Staff. 

For all questions related to administrative, such as dues, safety, or policy issues, please contact one of the board members or email us at [email protected].

 

SFS Board of Directors:

President: Chaunte' Banks
Treasurer: Marjorie Heard
Secretary: Patricia Dawson
Parent Liaison: Toni Smith

 

Coaching Staff:

Coach Elisha “Reno” Bashir
Head Coach
Email: [email protected]

Elisha “Coach Reno” Bashir was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Following a family tradition of athletic swimmers, Coach Reno recreationally swam from 5 to 11 years old. Coach Reno started competitively swimming at age 12. He swam for the City of Atlanta Dolphins Swim Team which was founded by his father Askia H. Bashir in 1984. Coach Reno was a Georgia All-Star Swimmer, who competed at the State, Regional, and Sectional levels. He was the 1st Georgia swimmer to be awarded Gold in the America Youth Games. Coach Reno competed collegiately from 1991-1992 for the Morehouse College Tiger Sharks. 
 
Moving from the pool to the deck, Coach Reno taught swim lessons at Morris Brown College from 1994-1996. There was a young lady by the name of Kimberly Patrick in one of his swim lessons who he taught how to swim. Kimberly Patrick later became Kimberly Bashir, my wife, of more than 25 years (my greatest accomplishment in swimming or coaching). They also share 2 beautiful adult children. 
 
Coach Reno established the Swordfish Swim Team in 1998, and the team was officially registered as a USA/GA Team in 1999. Coach Reno has coached many swimmers to earn scholarships and compete collegiately. He coached the Swordfish Team to its 1st National swim meet in Des Moines, Iowa. He taught and coached over 5000 learn-to-swim lessons. Coach Reno was named Diversity Coach of the Year for Georgia Swimming in 2021.
 
“Fun time for me while coaching is anytime I spend with any swimmers and that swimmer is demonstrating what they've learned from coaching, whether it's at a meet, in practice, or at the beach! Knowing that I've made a positive impact, no matter how small, brings me joy. To me, it's like winning the Gold Medal at the Olympics!”
 
 
 

Coach Aviel El-Shair

Head Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected] 

City of Atlanta Dolphins alumna (1992–2004), Coach Aviel joins the South Fulton Swordfish with pride and passion. With more than 25 years in competitive swimming, she’s new to coaching but deeply seasoned in the sport—bringing an athlete’s eye to every rep.

Her coaching style is calm, enthusiastic, and focused on building water confidence, clean body lines, and efficient breaststroke timing. She emphasizes race-day details like starts, turns, and underwaters, helping swimmers feel rhythm, control, and consistency. Aviel believes great swimming should feel rhythmic and repeatable—built on clear cues, simple progressions, and measurable gains.

She welcomes kids, teens, and adults into the sport, championing inclusive access to the water. Off deck, Aviel is a photographer and creative director at Ae Classics LLC – “Art & Athletics”, where she blends visual clarity with technical coaching to celebrate both motion and mastery.

 

Coach Taj Gray

Head Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected]

 

 

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Coach Taj moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1997 to attend Clark Atlanta University (CAU), where he majored in Mass Communications.

His aquatic journey began in 1993 at the age of 16, when he became a lifeguard — sparking a lifelong passion for water safety and teaching. Over the years, Coach Taj has built a diverse career spanning Aquatics, Healthcare, and Education, with experiences that shaped his commitment to service, growth, and community.

A man of God, Taj is also an entrepreneur, proud small business owner, and founder of a non-profit organization. He brings extensive experience as a Developmental Swim League (DSL) coach, having trained and coached competitive adult swimmers, and taught “Learn to Swim” lessons for all levels — from beginner to advanced.

He is certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), Lifeguard Instructor (LGI), First Aid and CPR Instructor, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Beyond the pool, Taj is a devoted husband of 26 years and father of four, who finds joy in teaching, learning, and all things aquatics. He lives by faith and encouragement, believing that “swimming is bigger than just learning how to swim.”