Diving into CHS is the new head swim coach, Nathan Harding. Harding was recommended for the assistant coaching position last year and, starting this year, has moved into the head coaching position when former head coach Coach Joystine stepped down.
Harding comes with a lengthy background in the sport of swimming and water polo. He swam all four years on the varsity team at Cojone High School and played water polo and basketball. He also was a member of the swim team in college at Louisiana Tech, where he majored in kinesiology. Harding experienced his first coaching job during college as well when a mother hired him to give her daughter swim lessons and teach her to improve her stroke technique.
“I didn’t know I was going to become a coach,” Harding said. “Once I started, I loved it.”
After earning his degree, he moved back to the Southern California area. He has coached at several schools, including his first position at Carter High School. Harding coached at Carter for almost four years. At Carter High School, he was the head coach for Girls’ Water Polo, Boys’ Water Polo, and the swim team. He also coaches at Pomona-Pitzer and Mount Baldy Aquatics.
Harding has been coaching for about seven years. He has great plans for this swim season. Of course, he would like a winning season, but in addition, he wants to create an atmosphere of brotherhood and sisterhood where fun abounds along with camaraderie.
“I really want to change the culture of swim,” Harding said. “When I say change the culture, it’s deeper than winning. Of course we want to be successful but I want them to have as much fun as I had. When somebody walks on the pool deck during a swim meet, I want them to be able to feel the energy of the swim team.”
Harding wants to create a fun but competitive atmosphere. In relation to CHS’s other sport teams, he wants them to look at the swim team and see how much fun they are having, how much spirit they have, and how to feed off of it. All in all, he wants to affect everyone in CHS in a positive manner.
Some of his best moments as a coach are when his old athletes will contact him and invite him to attend an event or just reach out in general. Harding is proud of his work and pours his heart out to ensure that his team not only has a great experience but is also successful.
CHS welcomes Harding and his wealth of experience and enthusiasm. CHS swimmers, grab your goggles and head for the pool deck for an exciting season with Coach Harding.