John Hayes has officially taken over as the new head coach for the JV and Varsity Gabrielino High School swim teams. Appointed in November, Hayes has already begun to leave his mark on the team, bringing with him over two decades of coaching experience. Hayes is eager to help the team reach new heights in both performance and spirit. With the season underway, he has been pushing the team toward greater competitiveness and cohesion.
Hayes’ career spans more than 20 years in many different coaching roles across all types of swimming. He has coached swimmers of all ages, from teaching at Santa Monica to training swimmers at the university and middle school levels. Hayes has also worked as a lifeguard for over 20 years, a role that has shaped his approach to water safety and technique. He has also spent over three years as the Badger Gear Swim Coach and has specialized in adaptive swimming for children with autism for the past decade. Hayes’ experience even extends to coaching water polo, training military personnel, mentoring Boy Scouts, and even helping with baptisms.
“Coaching is my passion and my drive—it’s what keeps me motivated every day,” Hayes stated. “Whether it’s training competitive swimmers or teaching the basics, my goal is always to inspire effort and help athletes achieve their full potential.”
Hayes’ coaching philosophy centers on motivating his athletes through challenges.
“My style is that I want to be able to motivate and inspire. I want to have structure, discipline, a well balanced swim team and effort. […] I want to challenge the kids on a mental and physical level.”
Before Hayes took over, the team had struggled to make significant strides in competition. In previous seasons, the swimmers had not been able to maintain consistent performance through the season. However, despite these challenges, the team remained determined to improve, which paved the way for a fresh start under new leadership.
The transition to a new coaching style has not been without its challenges. Team members have noted that practices under Hayes are drastically different.
“We have a lot more responsibility and he has not been as involved as other coaches have been. It allows us to take charge and contribute our ideas more, […] but we have a pattern that we’ve established and are all falling into a good rhythm.” stated team captain Gwendolyn Chu, senior.
Hayes acknowledges the difficulty but is committed to creating a demanding yet supportive environment. He relies on the team captains to help plan practices and keep the traditions alive. “They know the team better than I do, and are grateful for their leadership. At the same time, I want to challenge the athletes to think bigger, work harder, and always push the limits of their abilities.”
The captain-driven approach to practices has already begun to foster a sense of collaboration. “I want to help the captains grow as leaders. Their wisdom is essential as we continue to build a strong, united team” Hayes explained.
As the team adapts to the new coaching style, there is excitement surrounding the upcoming season. “I’m looking forward to how the team will grow and bond with each other. […] I’m hoping that even though the team has a new coach and is short on people this year, the experience will still be as lively and memorable nevertheless,”stated JV/Varsity swimmer Victoria Sun,junior.
With Hayes’ leadership and the commitment of the swimmers, there’s excitement about what the future holds. The coach’s vision for the team is clear: to cultivate a culture of growth, effort, and leadership both in and out of the pool.
