Elite Otters Swim Team

Founder and Coach Joshua Otteson

Coach Otteson grew up in Eastern Montana where his love for swimming and competition started at a young age.  Otteson placed 8th at the divisional swim meet in the backstroke, barely making it to the state meet. The next week Otteson did 2 practices a day.  At the state meet, when the race started, Otteson lead from start to finish winning first place! He went on to win many state championships races and receive high point trophies during his swimming career.   

Otteson was the MVP of the state championship basketball tournament where his team won the title.  He was also named MVP as the quarterback of his high school football team.  Otteson went on to play quarterback for Jamestown College in North Dakota where he was named MVP of his football conference as well as All American Quarterback honors.  Otteson's 1997 and 1998 college football teams were inducted into the Univeristy of Jamestown Hall of Fame.

Coach Otteson is an ASCA level 2 USA Certified Swim Coach.  He has been teaching and coaching swim lessons since he was 15.  He brings over 25 years of experience as a coach in many sports: swimming, football, basketball and track & field.  Otteson has a Bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performace and a Masters degree in Eductional Administration. He is curretly teaching Elementary Physical Education for Palm Springs Unified School District.

Coach Otteson's ability to motivate swimmers, knowledge of targeting muscle groups and properly fueling the body make him a huge asset to the EOST Coaching Staff. 

Coach Reardon

Coach Reardon is a USA Swimming Certified Swim Coach and Master Level Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach. Aaron swam competitively at the club, interscholastic and collegiate levels and has been a volunteer youth sports coach in the Coachella Valley for more than a decade. 

As a Master Strength & Conditioning Trainer,  Aaron coaches, counsels and trains his clients to embrace the process of growth by competing against the best version of themself. In addition to physical training, Aaron trains clients in goal setting, strategic planning, tactical execution, mindset development, problem-solving, confidence building and perseverance. 

Coach Reardon applies these same principles to coaching swimming and training dry-land. Every swimmer is unique and grows at a different pace. Aaron believes that adults in positions of authority have the responsibility and opportunity to help each child grow in confidence so they may reach their full potential in the pool and in life. 

Coach Reardon’s focus is to keep it fun and inviting so each swimmer wants to come to practice, swim with their friends and work hard. In so doing, the swimmer develops a love for the sport of swimming and builds the critical skills that will not only help them succeed in the pool - but also in life. 

Each practice focuses on:

• Age/skill-appropriate training
• Fundamentals of Swimming
• Stroke Technique
• Endurance building  
• Confidence building 
• Self-respect
• Self-reliance 
• Sportsmanship 
• Problem-solving 
• Self-advocacy 

Coach Enrique

Enrique Ochoa is not just an aquatic instructor - he's a lifelong devotee to the discipline, joy, and fitness benefits of swimming. His passion for the water was kindled at the tender age of 12, setting the stage for a journey that would take him from high school swim meets and onward to international Masters swim competitions. Excelling in freestyle and butterfly strokes, Enrique has competed in renowned swimming events from Paris to Melbourne, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and beyond.

Since 2001, Enrique has offered private swimming lessons to both children and adults throughout Southern California. He possesses a keen understanding of the unique needs and goals of each student. From igniting the joy of the first splash in early learners to refining competitive techniques in budding talents, Enrique's true gift is his ability to develop competitive swimmers into more holistic athletes. With an intricate focus on technique refinement, endurance building, and fostering a relentless competitive drive, he molds swimmers into faster, more efficient, and robust athletes ready to outperform their best.

Enrique's approach to aquatic coaching is not just about improving swimming technique. He believes in a holistic view of fitness that focuses on strength, endurance, and overall health. As a Red Cross-certified lifeguard with CPR training, safety is always Enrique's top priority. He creates a secure and supportive environment, ensuring students and parents feel comfortable and confident during each session.

Away from the pool, Enrique continues his commitment to fitness as a swimmer and crossfit athlete. His love for exploring new cultures takes him around the globe, but he finds equal enjoyment at his Palm Springs home, spending time with his beloved fur babies, Luna and Obie, and relishing moments with friends and family.

In Enrique Ochoa, you find more than just a swim coach. You discover a dedicated partner in your personal aquatic journey, whether you're taking your first strokes or mastering your technique, getting fit with aquatic workouts or striving to slice through the water with increased speed and precision in a competitive setting. Let Enrique guide you through the enriching waters of swimming, and experience the joy of a lifelong aquatic adventure.

Coach Daylen Degelsmith

Coach Daylen grew up in San Diego county where she spent most of her time in the pool. She began swimming competitively at 7 years old and found a love for the water. Her favorite races are butterfly and IM!

Daylen went on to compete for Chapman University during her four years there and served as the team captain. Daylen is passionate about helping people become leaders and loves to help swimmers learn how to take skills they learn in the water - such as time management and confidence - and transfer them to every aspect of their life.  She has been coaching and giving swim lessons since 2012.

Daylen stays active by swimming and running. She loves pushing herself to try new things and loves celebrating her accomplishments when the hard work pays off!

Palm Springs Masters Swim Team Coach Rick Mignault

Coach Rick was born and raised in Canada before embarking upon a career in the hotel business which had him living around the world for the better part of 30 years as a Senior Human Resources Executive with Hilton Hotels Corporation. Now retired and “Living the Dream” of being full-time in Palm Springs for the last two years, he is the latest addition to Elite Otters Swim Team coaching staff.

Coach Rick swam competitively in both age group and collegiate programs.  Later he moved on to manage large adult and children’s “Learn to Swim” programs.  Additionally, he coached age group competitive swimming for over five years in Canada. He was a lifeguard for many years in his native Montreal.  Coach Rick was an exceptional swimmer competing at the National level in both backstroke and butterfly.

As a dedicated athlete, Coach Rick participated competitively as a triathlete for years and now can be found pushing himself through a daily schedule of swimming, cycling, weight training and playing pickleball here in the Coachella Valley.  He has been an avid Masters swimmer for many years and an accomplished scuba diver.

Coach Rick manages the Palm Springs Masters Swim Program. His desire is to work with Masters swimmers, at every level, focusing on technique while also assisting with setting and achieving appropriate goals for each individual swimmer. He has a Level I and Level II Coaching Certification from United States Masters Swimming (USMS). 

Coach Tiffany deCastro