COACH SYD 

Founder/CEO

Coach Syd Lovelace, founder and owner of LA Surf and Swim, brings over 35 years of elite swim coaching and instruction to the pool. He has trained countless Olympic Trial qualifiers, college scholarship signees, NCAA All-Americans, California CIF High School champions, city champions, and city record holders.

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Many of Syd’s former swimmers have gone on to successful college careers at top programs including: Stanford, Yale, Harvard, University of Tennessee, University of Virginia, University of Texas, Auburn, Florida State, Kentucky, UC Santa Barbara, San Diego State, and more.

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Syd was a standout varsity scholarship swimmer at Florida State University, where he specialized in butterfly, individual medley, and backstroke. While at FSU, he also trained with Bob Bowman, the legendary coach of Michael Phelps.

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Originally from Nashville, Syd has served as head coach or guest head coach at numerous respected programs, including: Marlborough Prep, Hollywood Aquatics, Santa Monica High School, Belle Meade Country Club, Syd’s Kids, Sky Aquatics, Knights of Columbus, and OHCC.

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A lifelong waterman, Syd has mastered a wide variety of aquatic disciplines, including: Windsurfing, surfing, tandem dog surfing, SUP surfing, barefoot water skiing, scuba diving, free diving, SUP racing, stand-up jet ski racing, Hobie Catamaran racing, and body surfing.

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In recent years, Syd has been a top competitor in international body surfing competitions. He placed in the top six at the World Bodysurfing Championships, won the International Bodysurfing Championship and is a Venice Beach Body Surf champion.

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Fun fact: Syd was featured on The Today Show and NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams for his unique partnership in dog-surfing competitions with Booda, a street rescue pup from Nashville. These days, he catches waves (and rides motorcycles) with Nash, his Aussiedoodle and the official LA Surf and Swim mascot. Nash is also a loyal emotional support buddy for anyone having a tough day at the pool.