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Coach Tina became passionate right alongside her daughter, Coach Raquel, learning everything about the sport of Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming, training with a masters' team and ultimately becoming a Level 1 Judge so that she can always stay on top of what is happening with the sport in terms of judging and how her athletes are affected by it. She is currently certified by the Red Cross swim coach safety training, Pro lifeguard training, and USAAS certified CCP1 coach. She is also certified by USA Swimming's sponsored Challenges with Children coaching, a collaborative effort between the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute (ATRI), USA Swimming, and the USA Swimming Foundation.  Tina believes that the equity invested in our diverse population of athletes including athletes with disabilities, will ensure that 'unfairness' and the negative impacts on our underrepresented athletes will one day disappear and give a fresh new meaning to inclusion and equality. Coach Tina's passion and commitment to promoting awareness and action with the hope of developing other rising athletes with disabilities and impairments, will encourage them to pursue their path of hope and dreams in artistic swimming as accomplished athletes or as elite athletes in future International competitions and Paralympic Games. 

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Coach Tina is on disability retirement in addition to her diverse ethnic and cultural background, so she knows all too well the adversity and discrimination felt by these fabulous young athletes who deserve so much more in life. She was an athlete with an 8yr background in Ballet and Competitive Swimming. 40yrs involved with skating/track/swimming/softball) and was a personal trainer with the YMCA. She coached YMCA youth roller hockey for 6 years, during which she had many athletes with disabilities on her team. She has been coaching Artistic Swimming since 2011.

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Coach Tina has an educational background in (BA) communication studies and (AA) administration of justice. She has completed additional undergrad work in 2020 in Kinesiology and Coaching. She is currently enrolled in the San Jose State University Grad MS Program for Kinesiology with a concentration in aquatics facility/sports management for people with impairments. Coach Tina has served on the Board of Governance for the USA Artistic Swimming Federation (USAAS) and is looking forward to major contributions to the betterment of the sport for athletes with disabilities as well as ethnically underrepresented athletes. Tina is active with aquatics fitness and swimming as physical therapy and aspires to build a local unique Aquatics Facility for people with impairments and injuries. Coach Tina's hobbies are sewing, mermaiding, social events, and her dedication to her own team of diverse athletes and their success.

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Tina says:

"I have great knowledge and experience with multiple sports. I may not be wealthy, but I have a rich heart and will share my life, love, and passion with those who aspire to achieve their dreams in this sport! I am honored to serve as the President of the Artistic Swim AWD Organization and will do my best to ensure the goals and mission of the Organization are met. I will strive to follow our process of equity so that we can sustain equality in our sport. We are all humans in the sport of artistic swimming. We can swim together regardless of impairments, race, ethnicity, religion, or personal/professional backgrounds. We must learn to alter human behavior to reflect positive mindfulness and become an allied force so that we can grow together and participate 'as one' in our sport. On our team, we have eliminated the terms 'us' and 'them'. It is no longer in our vocabulary. It is 'We' and 'We' move as 'One'....(USAAS)

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I also love making fabulous artistic swimsuits and Mermaid tails for our swimmers and coaches".

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Please visit my Swimsuit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dazzleitdesigns.