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

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.