Our Team

Meriel Mitsakos, founder and CEO of Makai Ocean Club, was born and raised in the South Bay, where she began swimming competitively at age six with the Westchester Orcas. By age eight, she had qualified for the Junior Olympics and earned a medal, prompting her move to Team Santa Monica (TSM). As a member of TSM, she continued to excel, medaling in the Junior Olympics, sectionals, CIF, and numerous other competitions.

While swimming for Mira Costa High School, Meriel broke four records—some of which still stand today. She was a CIF Division 1 and 2 medalist in both individual events and relays all four years, a four-time varsity letterman, and team captain her senior year. She also received the Leadership, Excellence, and Most Inspirational awards for the varsity swim team.

Meriel’s passion for the water extended beyond the pool. She became a six-time National Gold Medalist with the United States Lifeguarding Association and a seven-time Regional Gold Medalist with the California Surf Lifesaving Association, competing in events such as the distance swim, run-swim-run, Ironman (swim, run, paddle), and swim relay. Additionally, she won two gold medals in the Seal Beach Rough Water Swim and a silver medal in the Waikiki Rough Water Swim for her age group.

On track for collegiate swimming scholarships, an injury led Meriel to an early retirement from competition. What initially felt like a setback became a transformative experience, leading her to coaching and teaching swimmers of all ages and skill levels. Over the past decade, she has built her own swim lesson business, teaching more than 1,000 children how to swim. Many of her students have gone on to compete for club teams across Southern California. She has also coached multiple seasons as a USA Swimming coach.

Driven by her lifelong love for the ocean, Meriel founded Makai Ocean Club—a program dedicated to expanding ocean safety knowledge, building confidence in open water, and emphasizing the fun and adventure the ocean has to offer. Through Makai, she hopes to inspire the next generation of ocean enthusiasts, encouraging kids to develop a deep respect for the water while equipping them with essential skills to stay safe. Her ultimate goal is to mentor and prepare young swimmers who aspire to become future LA County Lifeguards and water safety leaders.

Meriel is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on sports psychology, aiming to support young athletes in swimming and beyond.

With over three decades of competitive swimming experience, Eric has built a remarkable career dedicated to aquatic sports and safety. Serving as a high school coach at Venice for four years, he developed and led successful swim, dive, and water polo teams. Complementing this role, Eric spent a decade as an LA County lifeguard and three years as an LA City lifeguard, further honing his expertise in water safety and emergency response.

In addition to these roles, Eric has three years of experience as an open water lifeguard and six years instructing open water swimming, showcasing his proficiency in various aquatic environments. As a junior guard instructor for two years, he mentored young lifeguards, instilling the skills and knowledge necessary for effective water safety and rescue.

Eric has also been a surf instructor for four years and a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) instructor for five years, demonstrating a versatile skill set in both traditional and modern water sports. With 20 years of scuba diving certification, he possess an in-depth understanding of underwater exploration and safety.

His comprehensive background in lifeguarding, coaching, and instructing across a wide range of aquatic disciplines underscores his dedication to promoting water safety, athletic excellence, and a love for the water in all its forms.

Eric’s Credentials

• Certified Lifeguard / First Aid / CPR / AED
• Certified Water Safety Instructor
• Certified in blood-borne pathogen and emergency oxygen training.