Todd Hickman, Head Age Group Coach
August 2025 - Present, Email: [email protected]
 
Coach Todd has dedicated his life to swimming, both as a competitor and as a coach. With over 22 years of competitive swimming experience, he achieved numerous accomplishments, including qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984, 1988, and 1992, where he finished in the top 16 in the 200 and 400 IM. He was a nine-time USA Swimming Nationals qualifier, earning a career-best 4th-place finish in the 400 IM, and competed collegiately for the University of Arizona from 1984 to 1988, where he became an NCAA All-American in 1987. Todd was also a member of the USA Junior National Team from 1984 to 1985, ranked in the top 15 in the United States and top 25 in the world, and set a National Age Group Record in the 500 freestyle.
 
As a coach, Todd has worked with athletes at every level, from learn-to-swim beginners to elite national competitors. He has helped guide swimmers to Olympic Trials, Division I collegiate programs, and national-level success. His coaching accomplishments include developing National Team swimmers, coaching National Select Camp athletes, being named to the 2016 USA National Team Coaches List, and coaching qualifiers for both the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. Under his leadership, athletes have broken multiple Southern California Swimming relay and individual records, national relay records, and a National Age Group individual record in 2014. Additionally, Todd has led multiple Junior Olympic teams to first-place finishes. Passionate and dedicated, Coach Todd continues to inspire his athletes to dream big, work hard, and achieve the impossible.
 
 

Platinum Group

 

The Platinum Group is the pinnacle of our age group program for primarily 11-14 year olds. Placement to enter this group is by invitation only. We offer six practices per week with two dryland sessions. We see training as a joyful opportunity to maximize our potential and have fun with our teammates. Our training focus is technique development, endurance and speed. We are both fierce competitors and loving teammates and we strive to embody our team values in every way. Swim meets are mandatory. Every tool necessary will be given in an effort to prepare each swimmer for a successful National Group experience, the next step in the swimmer's journey. 

 

We expect that all Platinum swimmers practice using a growth mindset at training and meets and are active in developing a fiercely competitive and caring team cuture.

 

Training Requirement:

  • 16 x 100 Free @ 1:25
  • 10 x 100 IM @ 1:30
  • Kick 20 x 50 @ :55

Racing Requirement:

  • Age Group Championship time standards (WAG/JAG/Summer Champs in the 11-12 age group)
  • Able to listen and understand coach instructions between sets and control a positive attitude with focus throughout a practice session and swim meet.

 

Equipment: Catalyst Hand Paddles, Pull Buoy, TYR Snorkel, Fins, Mesh Bag, Water Bottle and Appropriate Dry-land Clothes and Shoes

 

A Tryout is required to join this group.  

San Clemente Aquatic Team assigns swimmers to practice groups based on skill/ability and age.  Coaches are able to focus on techniques, skills and intervals that are best suited for our swimmers’ development while enhancing aerobic and speed capacity.  Each coach strives to create a fun yet challenging environment for our swimmers.  

 

Although practice attendance is not mandatory for most groups, we do encourage swimmers to attend all or as many practices as possible, attendance + effort = success.  Swim meets are optional for some groups and mandatory for others.  Swim meets are a chance for swimmers, coaches and parents to see progress. 

 

Move-ups between groups tend to occur at the end of our short course and long course seasons.  Coaches will review all aspects of move up timing, including test sets, leadership in the lane and group, mental, physical and emotional readiness.  Attendance and practice effort will also be considered as variables.