Makai Ocean Club

Our Team

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Meriel Mitsakos

Meriel Mitsakos is a certified Water Safety Instructor with 11 years of experience as a lifeguard and swim instructor. In addition to running her private swim instruction business, MeriSwimmer, she is an assistant coach at Beach Cities Swimming and a lifeguard and swim instructor for the City of Santa Monica.

 

Meriel was a National and Regional Gold Medalist, United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) Junior Lifeguards, and winner of multiple medals. She swam competitively for 15 years, qualifying for Junior Olympics for 10 years and medaling eight times. She served as captain of the Mira Costa High School swim team and qualified for CIF all four years, winning a medal at the championships in 2012. 

Meriel’s Accomplishments

  • National Gold Medalist, United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) Junior Lifeguards (winner of multiple medals)
  • Regional Gold Medalist, California Surf Lifesaving Association (CSLA)
  • Kai Sports All-America Open Water Swim Racing, First Team (Competed in several open water distance races, including Waikiki Roughwater Swim, Seal Beach swim, Pier-to-Pier)
  • Junior Lifeguards regionals qualifier since age 10 (won multiple medals)
  • MVP, Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguards
  • Junior Olympian, Southern California Swimming: qualifier for 10 years; won 8 medals
  • Co-captain, Mira Costa Varsity Swim Team
  • CIF Division 2 qualifier, four years; medalist, relay, Mira Costa Varsity Swimming
  • Varsity Letterman, Mira Costa Swim Team
  • High School Record holder
  • Leadership Award, Mira Costa Varsity Swim Team
  • Excellence Award, Mira Costa Varsity Swim Team
  • Most Inspirational, Mira Costa Varsity Swim Team

Meriel’s Credentials

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

Eric Schwanemen

A fomer Los Angeles County Lifeguard, Eric Schwaneman is a Chief Pool Lifeguard for the City of Santa Monica, where he has worked for 15 years.

  • CIF-qualifer
  • Swim coach

Eric’s Credentials

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