Coach Riches has been a resident of Irvine since 1976. He swam competitively and played water polo in high school. Steve has been a certified lifeguard, swimming instructor and swim coach since 1969. He served as the Aquatic Director for the Conejo Valley YMCA in Ventura County, and formed their Dolphin Swim Team, also serving as their Head Coach. Steve also developed aquatic programs for the Saddleback Valley YMCA here in Orange County, and lead their 'Learn-to-Swim' program. Steve also worked as an SCAF high school and NCAA swimming and water polo referee. Steve has been the Head Coach of the Irvine Swim League (ISL) Courtside Stingrays for nine years. He was previosuly a member of the boys and girls swim coaching  staff at Northwood High School in Irvine, Ca.

Coach Riches has a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and is currently a member of the Boys and Girls swim coaching staff at Portola High School, in Irvine, Ca.

CERTIFICATIONS:
2012 Irvine Swim League (ISL) "Coach of the Year"
USA Swimming Coach Member
American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) Coach Member
ARC First Aid/CPR/AED For the Professional Responder
ARC Safety Training for Swim Coaches
ARC Certified Lifeguard
ARC Certified Lifeguard Instructor/Trainer
ARC Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
American Red Cross Authorized Provider - Learn-to-Swim Program

Alejandro Nieto was born in Nicaragua and immigrated with his parents to California in the 80s. He grew up in Orange, Ca and attended El Modena High School where he was a member of the cross country and swimming teams. After high school, he studied at Santiago Canyon Community College and Cal State Fullerton earning a degree in economics. At CSUF, he played club water polo. 
 
Alex currently coaches swimmers from all sorts of organizations. Outside of SwimNation, Alex is head coach of
the girls' and boy's swim teams at Northwood High School and head coach of the North Irvine Knights ISL team.
 
When Alex is not on a pool deck mentoring young minds and helping create athletes and good people, he spends time
with his family. His wife Jessica and two children (Ben and Charlee) are the center of his world. Alex enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with his family. His dream is to travel the world.  

Coaching Philosophy
The kids are first in our profession – first and foremost!

Bryan Dedeaux began his coaching career in 1990 with the Colony Red Hots
swim team in Irvine, California. Later, in 1999, he joined the Mission Viejo Nadadores to
enhance his coaching skills at a more competitive level. During his time with the
Nadadores, he had the opportunity to work with world-class coaches such as Siga Rose
and Jim Montrella. Bryan's versatility allowed him to coach at all levels and ages within
the program before taking on the role of 10 and under division director in 2004.

In 2010, Bryan was honored with the Southern California Age Group Coach of the Year
award. He has also presented at coaching clinics for ASCA and USA Swimming and
taught the Level 2 Stroke School for the American Swimming Coaches Association.
Furthermore, in 2021, he was recognized as one of the top 50 Age Group Coaches in
the country by ASCA.

In 2017, Bryan became the Mission Viejo Nadadores dryland director, and subsequently
began training the Varsity Boys and Girls swim team at Portola High School in the
weight room, holding the title of a Certified Functional Strength Coach. In 2019, Bryan
joined SET Swim Team as the Head Age Group Coach.

In 2020, he returned to the Nadadores as the 11/12 Division Director, and by 2023, he
led the Nadadores Age Group program as the Head Age Group Coach. During this time
he helped the team achieve ASCA's top 50 Age Group status three years in a row.

Bryan is thrilled to join SwimNation Aquatics Programs as Associate Head Coach. He is
enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to a culture where children’s happiness
and health are the top priorities, and swimming is an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Bryan and his wife, Kate, are proud parents to three wonderful kids: Peyton, Jack, and
Blake. In his spare time, he enjoys attending concerts, caring for exotic reptiles and
amphibians, and playing with the kids in his backyard pool. Bryan’s favorite part about
coaching is hearing the laughter of children as they find the love and joy that swimming
on a team brings.

Veronica played water polo and swam for Irvine High School, and is currenty attending Santa Barbara City College, where she was a member of their water polo team. She is also a certified lifeguard and certified swim instructor. Veronica is currently the Head Varsity Coach for Portola High School Girls Water polo. She is the Lead Waterpolo coach for girls at SNAP! and also leads our youth water polo program.

CERTIFICATIONS:
ARC First Aid/CPR/AED
ARC Safety Training for Swim Coaches
ARC Certified Water Safety Instructor
ARC Certified Lifeguard