About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The Santa Clara Aquatics Foundation was established on Mar 8, 2024 as an IRS section 501(c)(3) non-profit and is a dynamic alliance of three non-profit clubs and passionate citizens from Santa Clara and neighboring communities. Our unwavering dedication is to ensure broad availability and access to pool space. Beyond that, we are committed to enriching the Santa Clara community with aquatic facilities and programs that promote well-being, vitality, and excellence. Join us as we dive into the mission of building a new swim center!
Rendering courtesy of ELS Architecture and Urban Design
Our Story
At the heart of our story lies a shared passion for community, aquatics, and the pursuit of excellence. We are more than just a group; we are a family of parents, community members and coaches who have dedicated ourselves to enhancing the very fabric of our aquatics community.
Our Roots: A Journey of Commitment
We started as a collective of parents and coaches with a simple yet profound goal— to strengthen community relations and improve the swim center that has been the beating heart of our teams for countless years. We intimately understand the challenges of aging facilities, experiencing firsthand the disruptions caused by frequent shutdowns and the constant struggle to secure alternative pool space.
Facing the Inevitable: The ISC Closure
The looming question wasn't whether the George Haines International Swim Center would close, but when. The day arrived, and with the permanent closure of the ISC, we found ourselves at a crossroads. Instead of succumbing to the devastation, we see it as an opportunity to build anew, to create a modern and updated swim center that will serve as a lasting home for our aquatics community.
Compelled to Action: A Call for Support
The ISC closure has not deterred us; it has fueled our determination. We are now on a mission to raise funds for this much-needed transformation. We invite you to be a part of this exciting journey, to contribute to the rebuilding of our aquatics home. Together, we can turn this dream into a reality.
Join Us: Making Waves of Change
This is more than just a plea for support; it's an invitation to join hands with us in reshaping the future of our aquatics community. Every contribution, big or small, takes us one step closer to our goal. Your support is not just an investment in a swim center; it's an investment in the well-being and vitality of our entire community.
Together, Let's Dive into a Brighter Future
The closure of the ISC marks the beginning of a new chapter. With your support, we are not just rebuilding a swim center; we are creating a space where dreams are nurtured, achievements are celebrated, and the bonds of community are strengthened. Join us in making waves of positive change. Together, we can turn this chapter into a story of triumph and inspiration.
Thank you for being a part of our journey!
Meet The Team
Vikas Gupta, President
Vikas has over 30 years of experience building complex distributed software systems. Most recently, he was Vice President of Software Engineering at Vimaan.AI and holds 11 patents. Vikas is City of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Commissioner and has been a board member for the Santa Clara Swim Club and founding board member of Catalyze SV. He enjoys hiking, running, and swimming, having run marathons and climbed 20K' Himalayan peak. Vikas champions aquatics and water safety.
Rick Rutter, Vice President
Rick has over 20 years of marketing, sales, and project management experience across the media, advertising, technology, and financial industries. He's also a member of the Board of Directors for the Santa Clara Dive Club and the father of two Santa Clara aquatic athletes. As an athlete and outdoor enthusiast, he's an advocate for encouraging access and participation in healthy activities that promote the safety and well-being of everyone in the community.
Amanda Pease, Secretary
Amanda Pease is a professional Spanish translator and interpreter with extensive experience across various sectors. She balances her day job with her passion for community service, currently serving on multiple nonprofit boards, including as President of the Santa Clara Swim Club Board of Directors. Additionally, Ms. Pease is deeply involved in the Santa Clara Aquatics Foundation, working to support the future of aquatics in the area. On a personal note, she is a dedicated mother of four swimmers, ages 8 to 15, actively engaged in her children’s athletic pursuits and passionate about fostering opportunities for youth in aquatics.
Kevin Zacher, Director-at-large
Kevin Zacher is the current Head Coach of Santa Clara Swim Club, one of the most renowned and historic swim programs in the nation. With a strong background in competitive swimming and coaching, Zacher brings extensive experience to the club, having coached athletes at all levels, from age group swimmers to Olympic-level competitors. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to developing well-rounded athletes, focusing on both technical excellence and personal growth. Under his guidance, Santa Clara Swim Club continues to thrive, producing top-tier swimmers and maintaining a legacy of success in the aquatics community.
Julie Corrigan, Treasurer
Julie Corrigan, a dedicated mother of four water polo athletes who grew up swimming, is a highly motivated professional with a passion for people, process, and building community. She is Team Manager for the Santa Clara Swim Club. With a background in business development and relationship management, Julie excels in collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. Her forward-thinking mindset and diverse skill set allow her to make a positive impact wherever she contributes, always eager to connect, learn, and foster meaningful relationships.
Chris Carver, Director-at-large
Chris Carver is a legendary synchronized swimming coach, best known for her work with the Santa Clara Aquamaids (now called Santa Clara Artistic Swimming Club), where she has served as Head Coach and currently serves as Director of Programs, and the U.S. National Team. Over her career, she coached 22 Olympic synchronized swimmers, leading teams to multiple Olympic, World Championship, and Pan American Games medals, including the 1996 Olympic gold. She has produced over 50% of the USA's synchronized swimming Olympians since 1996, earning her 14 consecutive USA Synchronized Swimming Coach of the Year awards. A pioneer in the sport, Carver has also advocated for men in synchronized swimming and coached Bill May, the first male to win a FINA World Championship gold. She has been inducted into multiple sports halls of fame and continues to be a global influence in synchronized swimming.
David Boor, Director-at-large
.Dave Boor, a proud father of an artistic swimmer, serves on the Santa Clara Aquatics Foundation and the Santa Clara Artistic Swimming board. With a keen eye for design and a talent for blending creativity with technical expertise, Dave excels at leading projects and creating a fun, supportive atmosphere. His passion for design extends beyond his role at Cisco, where he leads inspiring product designs. Whether guiding teams or cheering poolside, Dave’s dedication to fostering creativity and community shines through.
Todd Spohn, Director-at-large
Head Coach Todd Spohn has been leading Santa Clara Diving Club since 2011, building it into one of the top clubs in the nation. Under his leadership, the team has produced multiple national champions and finalists. Before Santa Clara, Todd headed Mission Viejo Nadadores, where he boosted their national ranking to 4th place. He also served as interim Head Coach for the USA Diving National Training Center, coaching Olympians like Steel Johnson and Thomas Finchum. With over two decades of experience, Todd’s career began at Miami University, where he earned numerous coaching accolades and was inducted into the Cradle of Coaches.
Eric Floyd, Director-at-large
Eric has over 25 years of experience in business development, strategic alliances, and global sales in the computer networking and cybersecurity industries. When he lived and worked in Korea and Hong Kong for 10 years, sports were his main connection to the local community. Eric swam competitively in high school and plays soccer today in the Palo Alto Adult Soccer League. His “second job” is being an active swim dad for his son Hayden at SCSC and he wants to help find funding partners for the new Santa Clara Aquatics Center.
Meet The Partners
From humble beginnings in 1951, the Santa Clara Swim Club (SCSC) has carved its name in aquatic history. Founded by the legendary coach George Haines with just 13 swimmers at a Santa Clara High School pool, the club flourished under his innovative training methods and unwavering dedication. Soon, talent flocked to the newly built Santa Clara International Swim Center (ISC) in 1966, a state-of-the-art facility that became a crucible for champions.
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Today, the club provides a variety of programs for the community including programs for persons with disability and Olympic aspirants.
The Santa Clara Diving Club, boasts a compelling history marked by a commitment to excellence, sportsmanship, and community. Since its inception, the club has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of competitive diving, earning a reputation for producing outstanding athletes. One of the hallmarks of the Santa Clara Diving Club's legacy is the remarkable number of divers who have continued their athletic pursuits at the collegiate level, including at esteemed institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Harvard University, Yale University, the University of North Carolina, Columbia University, and others. The club remains dedicated to fostering the growth of divers and maintaining its standing as a center for excellence in competitive diving. The club's history is not only a testament to its competitive achievements but also a home and a pathway to success within its supportive community.
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The Santa Clara Artistic Swimming have been producing world-class synchronized swimmers and Olympic athletes since 1964. During its history, Santa Clara Artistic Swimming athletes have won numerous National and World titles. It has produced 24 Olympians, and has seven Olympians on its coaching staff. Formerly known as Santa Clara Aquamaids, the club's athletes have the opportunity to secure scholarships or admission to some of the best universities in the country, including Stanford University and Ohio State University.
Santa Clara Artistic Swimming is proud to have contributed to the development of synchronized swimming world wide. They are renown pioneers of the sport and have long championed inclusion of male swimmers. It is exciting to see that mixed duets are now included as an event at international competitions.
