Coach Jennifer Bowers isn’t just making waves—she’s leading the tide. As the Owner and Head Coach of Southern Tide Swim Club, Jennifer has shattered glass ceilings and set new standards in competitive swimming. She has served the sport at every level, making history as the first female Head Coach of the Georgia Zone Team, former Head Coach of the South Carolina Zone Team, and holding key leadership roles including Coaches Chair for the Georgia LSC Board, Open Water Zone Coach,Select Camp Coach, and currently serves on senior committee for South Carolina LSC. In 2017, Georgia Swimming honored her as the Emerging Coach of the Year—a recognition of her unstoppable drive and impact.

With over 20 years of coaching experience, Jennifer has developed swimmers who have competed on the biggest stages: U.S. Olympic Trials, U.S. Open Championships, Junior Nationals, Futures, Sectionals, and Zones. She has trained State and Zone Champions and guided countless athletes to thrive at the collegiate level.

A former collegiate swimmer for Southern Illinois University and Stephens College, Jennifer learned from some of the nation’s top coaches—and now brings that expertise, passion, and relentless energy to every practice. She is more than a coach; she’s a mentor, motivator, and champion for every swimmer’s potential.

At home, she’s just as dedicated—married to Britton for 15 years and mom to her mutli-sport athlete Genevieve, when she isn’t on deck you will find her on the sidelines of a soccer field.

Jennifer believes the strongest teams are built on more than fast times—they’re built on belonging. Whether an athlete’s goal is to stand on the podium or simply find joy in the sport, she makes sure every swimmer has a place in the Tide family.

Coach Eric Hofstetter is kicking off his 7th year on the pool deck and 3rd year with Tide — but his coaching game started long before that. A science whiz by day, he’s been teaching Freshman Biology at North Augusta High for the past 4 years, after nearly three decades at Silver Bluff High teaching Biology, Anatomy, and Marine Science.

On land, Eric’s a legend — 25 years as a varsity football assistant coach and 22 years leading varsity softball, racking up 8 state championship appearances and 4 state titles. In 2003, he was crowned South Carolina Softball Coach of the Year and even snagged a National Coach of the Year nomination.

A proud Slippery Rock University alum, he earned his Biology degree while playing football, later adding a Master’s in Education from Walden University in 2013. At home, Eric’s been happily married to Melissa for 20 years, and they share two daughters, Gina and Lauren — both competitive swimmers with a decade of racing under their belts.

Whether he’s on the field, in the lab, or on the pool deck, Coach Eric knows how to build champions.

Coach Brandi is diving into her 4th year with Southern Tide and brings unstoppable energy and a lifelong love of the water. Born in Lexington, her water obsession began before she could crawl—her parents love to joke that she rolled straight toward pools like it was her destiny!

She started competitive swimming at just 5 years old in Northern Virginia with Chantilly Country Club, and continued to make waves after moving to South Carolina, swimming for a Columbia-area club and Lexington High School.

Brandi is a passionate teacher and coach, always inspiring athletes of all ages in and out of the pool. She’s married to Joey Humble and is a proud girl mom to four fierce daughters—each one just as swim-crazy and competitive as she is! You’ll often see her cheering them on at high school meets and Tide practices.

Coach Sarah Emerling’s love for the water runs deep—she’s been making waves since the age of 6! Born and raised in Rochester, New York, she knows the true meaning of dedication—winter swim practices so cold your hair froze if you didn’t throw on a hat fast enough!

Sarah’s journey began with competitive swimming in childhood and continued through high school. By age 11, she was already sharing her passion, teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding—a calling she continued all the way through college.

After college, Sarah and her husband Chris planted roots in Aiken, South Carolina, where they both took up teaching. Sarah now inspires young minds at Hammond Hill Elementary and champions young athletes as the head coach of the North Augusta High School Swim Team.

During the summer, she and Chris double as treasurers for the Houndslake Swim Team—because when it comes to swimming, the Emerlings are all in. Sarah and Chris are proud parents to Foster and Zoe, both fierce competitors in the pool, carrying on the family tradition.

Whether she’s coaching, teaching, or cheering on her own swimmers, Coach Sarah brings passion, experience, and heart to everything she does.

Coach Lincoln is diving into his 4th exciting season with Southern Tide, and he’s bringing the energy! This past year, he proudly represented South Carolina as a Zone Coach for the second time—where his swimmers racked up an impressive number of top-10 finishes!

This season, Coach Lincoln is leading our Silver Group, combining his own swimming experience with a passion for coaching and motivating young athletes. A proud South Aiken High School alum, he’s currently a Math major at USC-Aiken and is student teaching in North Augusta, working toward his goal of becoming a full-time Math teacher. He also served as head coach for Fermata Swim Team during the summer. 

When he’s not on deck or in the classroom, you can find Lincoln hanging out with his family, cheering at college football games, or crushing workouts at the gym. Get ready for a season full of hard work, fast swims, and fun vibes with Coach Lincoln!                          

Coach Beth has been making waves in the swimming world since she first dove in as a kid in Reading, Pennsylvania. A backstroke and distance star in her YMCA and AAU days, she started coaching in 1971—leading a team of 150 swimmers right out of the gate. She even trained under legendary coach Doc Councilman, shaping the positive, technique-first style she’s known for today. She also is the Head Coach for Silver Bluff High School Swim Team.

Her journey has taken her coast-to-coast, coaching in 7 states while raising a family and serving in the U.S. Air Force. She’s been a 5-time Zone Coach, 6-time All Star Coach, and even teamed up with Olympic gold medalist Josh Davis to run clinics in St. Louis. But ask her what she loves most? Helping swimmers of all ages enjoy the sport, master their skills, and celebrate every little victory.

When she’s not poolside encouraging and laughing with her team, Beth is with her husband David, loving her two daughters and 7 grandchildren, or teaching her “Southern Belles” Sunday School class of ladies 85 and up.

Coach Jaren Tippett brings speed, skill, and a winning mindset to the Southern Tide family. A lifelong athlete,Jaren started swimming at just 3 years old and grew up excelling in multiple sports—including football, lacrosse, and track & field. He later committed to competitive swimming year-round under the coaching of Coach Jenn:), eventually earning a spot on the collegiate roster at Henderson State University.

While at Henderson, Jaren made waves—literally. Under the guidance of legendary coach Coak Mathews and later Scotty Serio, he shattered the school record in the 100 breaststroke and helped break the 200 and 400 medley relay records at the 2023 NCAA Division II Championships. His standout performance earned him All-American honors with a 5th-place finish in the 400 medley relay.

Jaren recently graduated with a degree in aviation and is currently completing his pilot certifications back home in Augusta. Whether he’s on deck or in the sky, Coach Jaren brings energy, precision, and a passion for helping swimmers soar to new heights.