Paul Mazzarelle brings more than 30 years of competitive swim coaching experience to MESA. Paul started coaching in 1991 with North Coast Swim Club in Arcata, CA while earning a degree in Biology at Humboldt State University. After graduation, Paul coached swimming and water polo in San Diego. In 1998, Paul returned to Arcata as the Head Coach of Humboldt Swim Club. Paul produced three young Junior National qualifiers in just two years (swimmers aged 14, 15, and 16) gaining team recognition in the area transferring the local swimmers to collegiate teams. Paul was selected by USA Swimming to attend the National Age Group Coaches Conference at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY—moderated by USA Swimming’s Bill Boomer who revolutionized stroke technique with a scientific whole-body approach to teaching and training competitive swimmers. Paul continues to carry these concepts with him to his daily practices. Paul has also coached and taught at the College of the Redwoods, Laney College, and Solano Community College.

Always seeking education and mentorship, Paul spent summers as a coach at Stanford University, which reinforced the stroke technique and training philosophies of Olympic Coaches Richard Quick and Skip Kenney, 6- and 3-time Olympic Coaches respectively.

From 2000-2005 Paul joined the coaching staff at the world-renowned Mission Viejo Nadadores. Paul developed multiple individual and relay NRT (Top 16) (swimmers earning an NRT time are in the top 1 percent of American age group swimmers). In addition to his full-time coaching responsibilities, Paul assisted daily with the National Team practices under the tutelage of Hall of Fame inductee Coach Bill Rose. Paul was fortunate enough to be a member of the Nadadores staff during two Olympic cycles: Chad Carvin (200 freestyle; 2000 Olympic Team) and Larsen Jensen (silver medalist and American Record holder in the 1500 freestyle, 2004 Olympic Team). The Mission Viejo Nadadores have successfully placed at least one athlete on every U.S. Olympic Team from 1976 to the present. Paul served as a coach for numerous Southern California Swimming All Star Teams and served as Vice Chair for the Orange Section and the Program committee.

In 2005 Paul was hired at RSD in Solana Beach. Paul managed team growth and helped create an progressive swim program from novice to elite swimmers. Paul also worked with the local governing swimming committee, active in the San Diego-Imperial Swimming Coaches Association and Meet Program Committee.

In 2010 Paul’s wife was relocated to the bay area for work. Paul secured a Head Coach position for a club team, and taught and coached at Solano Community College. He also became involved in the local LSC board and committees, and was selected to coach the Sierra Nevada all-star training group at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CA.

In 2012 Paul was awarded a Masters of Sports Science from the United States Sports Academy and achieved ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Level 4, meeting specific education and performance requirements.

Paul and Shannon welcomed their son Rocco in August 2014 and in December 2015 returned to San Diego to be closer to family. In 2016, Paul began his time at MESA as an exercise science instructor and an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s swim teams. In 2022, Paul was hired as the Head Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach.

While at San Diego MESA:

2022 Women’s Swim/Dive

PCAC Conference Team Champions

PCAC Swimmer of the Year

PCAC Women’s Coach of the Year

CA State Championships ; 7 athletes, 5 relays qualified

CA State Championships team score – 7^th place

CCCAA All Americans ; 5 athletes, 4 relays awarded

2023 Women’s Swim/Dive

PCAC Conference Team Champions

PCAC Swimmer of the Year

CA State Championships ; 8 athletes, 5 relays qualified

CA State Championships team score – 13^th place

CCCAA All Americans ; 2 athletes, 4 relays awarded