meet the family
LUIS NOVOA
Head Coach
Owner
Coach Luis has over 18 years of experience in swimming. Throughout his career he has had the pleasure of instructing and coaching all ages and levels. He is a certified USA Swimming coach, ASCA Level 4 coach and a Red Cross lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor.
Luis' swimming career started a very young age, in his native country Colombia. He has competed in many USA Swimming events and Lehman College Nationals in NYC. At age 17, he started his coaching career at the Boys Club of New York City as an assistant coach. At 18 he became the swim team captain for Queensborough College in NYC. After college he joined the United States Marine Corp, where he was trained in combat swimming. In addition to that he was trained by NYFAC to teach kids with special needs including Autism and Down Syndrome. He not only teaches and coaches swimming. He also certifies lifeguards and gives CPR lessons.
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He created this club and academy, to build a safe environment for all. A place where everyone feels welcomed and no kid gets rejected. A place free of judgement, free of insecurities and fears. A place where everyone is motivated into greatness, where ones accomplishment is celebrated by all. He created this company to revolutionize the swimming industry.
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Coach Luis proves to be a pioneer of the swimming industry, with his unique style of coaching. A practice led by coach Luis, means him in the water competing with his swimmers, showing them by example how they should be performing, screaming to the top of his lungs to motivate them, creating drills never seen before to reach his swimmers maximum potential. All in all is a style of coaching you've never seen before!
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"I believe we are born with passion, but hard work and dedication will take you where passion can't reach"
- Luis Novoa
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SASHA NOVOA
Co-Owner/ CEO
Sasha Novoa, has over 10 years in business administration. Her experience in management and passion for designing allow her to be both the creative mind behind NJ Sea Dragons and the head of the entire operation.
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Before creating NJ Sea Dragons, together with her husband Coach Luis, she ran Urgent Care facilities and worked side by side with many doctors of different specialties, for over 15 years. However, eager to make a bigger impact without corporate's restrictions, she decided to join her husband in building a company in which one day she dreams she can make way for many people to accomplish their dreams. A company she wishes to take across oceans to help those in need.
Don't be fooled though, Sasha is a USA Swimming Coach and an American Red Cross Lifeguard. Of course coach Luis has taught her the ropes and she has had years of training in building swimmers. To her the best reward is the kids reaction when they accomplish new milestones. Sasha loves helping the kids at NJSD, she truly believes that by showing them kindness, respect, selflessness and care she can make a difference in every single one of them.
" Children are our future, I truly believe that with love we can help them cultivate a better world"
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- Sasha Novoa
MELANIE BORREGO
Pre-Team Coach
Stroke Development Coach
Coach Melanie has been swimming since she was a child. She has a passion for swimming and for working with kids. She has been developing swimmers and coaching for two years and aspires to be an Olympic coach one day. She is currently working towards her PHD in swimming!
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Melanie is a certified USA Swimming Coach, a ASCA Level 3 coach and an American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard. With guidance from coach Luis, her swimming experience, her passion for working with kids she has become an outstanding coach. Working side by side with coach Luis in building excellent swimmers.
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Melanie plays a huge part at NJSD, as she holds the responsibility of building the swimmers that move into our competitive team. She has proven that at such young age, you are capable of becoming great at anything you do. She's not only their coach, she has become a role model for our swimmers, a friend, a sister and someone they know they can always count on.
IVON ROSERO
Crossover Coach
Stroke Development Coach
Coach Ivon started swimming competitively when she joined her high school swim team. She is an ASCA Level 2 coach and an American Red Cross Lifeguard. Coach Ivon mainly focus on stroke development, teaching our kids the correct technique and swimming terminology.
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Her role at NJSD is huge, as she is mainly in charge of our Elite Learn to Swim Program's students and their development. Coach Ivon is responsible for making sure that all of our lessons are being taught to hold our standards. Pairing our advanced curriculum with her knowledge in swimming results in her building high skilled swimmers, that transition easily from classes to our teams.
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Coach Ivon's classes are full of fun and excitement. She captivates our students hearts and easily becomes their swimming best friend! She strongly believes that it is imperative to build a connection with your swimmers, one where they trust you enough to break barriers they never thought possible!
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