All of the coaches have international or college water polo playing experience. Each coach also has experience coaching middle school & high school water polo. These two factors enable Santa Monica Water Polo Club to offer the highest standard of coaching in Los Angeles.
KARL NIEHAUS
Karl started playing water polo in 1992 and by 1997 was representing his
junior national team. By 1998, Karl was representing his senior
national team in international tournaments. In 2001, he was recruited
to Los Angeles to play for Pepperdine University. Karl excelled
under legendary coach Terry Schroeder and helped Pepperdine finish as
the 3rd best team in the nation. Karl's performances led to
individual All-American water polo honors. Karl currently plays club water polo
for Sharks with former college and national team players (#1 Ranked masters water polo club in the nation).
Karl started coaching boys high school water polo in 1998 under former
Yugoslavian international - Vlado Trininic. Over the course for 4 years,
Karl's 3 age group teams were dominant, winning 22 of 28 national
tournament entered. Karl started coaching at Santa Monica High School in
2003, developing several college water polo players.
PATRICK DODGE
Patrick started playing high school water polo in 1995. He led his high
school team to a 48-1 record his junior and senior seasons and
back-to-back Missouri State Water Polo Championships. Patrick was a 4
time All-Conference Selection and 4 time team MVP at The George
Washington University, where he ended his career in top 5 in both goals
and assists. Patrick currently plays club water polo for Sharks.
Prior to Patrick's Los Angeles arrival and coaching at Santa Monica Water Polo Club, Patrick coached college
water polo at George Washington University as the Head Assistant Coach
to Scott Reed.
WILLIAM RODRIGUEZ
William started playing water polo at age 10 and has been a regular of
his national water polo team since 1996. He was the youngest player to
be selected for the Puerto Rican senior water polo team (1997). He has
represented his country in 2 world championships, and competed in the
Junior Water Polo World Championships in 1997 against fellow coach Karl
Niehaus. William still represents his national water polo team and is
the current top scorer. William continues to play club water polo with
Sharks.
William has coached swimming and water polo since 2000. He was the
youngest Division I coach in the country at Pepperdine University
starting in 2006. With William's guidance, the team finished as the 2nd
best water polo university in the Nation in 2008.
WIN BATES
Win started playing water polo as a freshman in high school. At Greenwich High School, Win excelled as a player and was selected as the high school water polo captain. Following his performances in high school water polo, Win was recruited to play for Johns Hopkins University. Again showing his leadership in the pool, Win was selected as the captain of the University water polo team. Under Win's leadership, Johns Hopkins finished 16th in the nation. Win continues to play water polo with Sharks
After playing water polo in Argentina, Win returned to Greenwich High School as the head water polo coach from 2008 -2010. Under Win's coaching, the high school water polo team flourished, winning U18, U16 & U14 junior Olympics for boys & girls water polo.
JAY BOAND
Jay started playing water polo in 1993 at age 11. He then played 4
years of high school water polo at Damien High School in La Verne. Upon
graduation, Jay was the career leader in every major statistical
category, earning All-CIF and All-American honors for boys water polo.
Jay played college water polo for the University of Redlands. Over 4
years, the team won every conference game except for one game. Jay finished his career
with 3 straight SCIAC championships and was named All-SCIAC and
All-American. Jay continues to play club water polo with Sharks.
Jay has coached youth swimming and boys water polo since 2000, including
current and past collegiate athletes.
