About Albany Armada Aquatics (AAA)

Albany Armada Aquatics (AAA) is a year-round, competitive USA Swimming team based in Albany, CA, serving swimmers from across the Bay Area. Co-founded in 2012 by Head Coach Helen Garcia and Head Age Group Coach Jesus Salcedo, AAA provides top-notch coaching and technique instruction for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

Our Mission

AAA is committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and positive environment where every swimmer is protected, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential—whether just starting out or competing at the national level. Athlete safety and child protection are central to our mission, and we uphold the highest standards of integrity and compliance with USA Swimming’s Safe Sport and MAAPP policies.

Our Program

Skill-Based Progression: AAA’s structured group program welcomes swimmers as young as six years old and guides athletes seamlessly from learning fundamentals to excelling in competition.
Experienced Coaches: Our collaborative coaching team is dedicated to both technical excellence and holistic athlete development, emphasizing safety, resilience, and personal growth.
Athlete Achievement: Many AAA swimmers go on to collegiate programs, earn Academic All-American honors, qualify for Junior Nationals, and compete in CIF State Championships—all while being part of our supportive team community.

Why Join Armada?

At AAA, we believe swimming is about more than performance—it’s about character, discipline, and belonging. We are committed to giving every swimmer the opportunity to unlock their passion for the sport, pursue their personal best, and do so in an environment that is safe, respectful, and athlete-centered.

Albany Armada Masters (AAM)

Led by Head Coach Arina Openysheva, Albany Armada Masters is a vibrant adult swimming community dedicated to promoting health, fitness, and a lifelong love of the water. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, train for competition, refine your technique, or simply enjoy the motivation of swimming in a group, AAM is for you.

Meet Coach Arina

We’re thrilled to welcome Coach Arina to lead our Masters program! Originally from Russia, Arina swam at the highest levels of international competition, representing Team Russia at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Junior Worlds, European Championships, and World Cups, specializing in freestyle and butterfly.

She later competed in the U.S. at the University of Louisville (NCAA Division I), where she was a multi-time All-Conference performer, team captain, and a key contributor to their championship team. Her experience at that level gave her a deep appreciation for smart training, teamwork, and personal discipline—values she now brings to her coaching.

Since retiring from competition, Arina has dedicated herself to coaching swimmers of all ages and abilities, with a special passion for working with adult athletes. Her approach is calm, observant, and encouraging, with a keen eye for technical detail that helps swimmers make meaningful improvements and build confidence.

Why Join Armada Masters?

Our Masters community is friendly, welcoming, and supportive, united by a shared commitment to health and enjoyment of the sport. Workouts are expertly designed for all levels and include personalized feedback to help you reach your fitness or performance goals.

Whether you’re preparing for a triathlon, getting back into the pool, or striving for personal bests, you’ll find camaraderie, fitness, and fun at Armada Masters.

👉 Arina also offers private coaching—contact her directly at [email protected] to learn more.