Coach Jack began his swimming career under Coach Tom at Lahaina Swim Club when he was 8 years old. He swam competitively for Lahainaluna High School, winning state championships in the 200 and 500 freestyle his sophomore, junior, and senior year. He continued to compete as a NCAA D-I student-athlete at University of the Pacific, earning an athletic and academic scholarship.

Coach Ericka’s involvement with the Lahaina Swim Club dates back to 2004, the year her sons joined the team. Under the mentorship of coach Tom Popdan, she has served as a USA Swimming Coach since 2007. Her experience working with children includes training in Montessori style teaching methods and working as a certified baby swimming instructor for the Life-Style Swim School in Boca Raton, Florida with world-renowned instructors, Rob, and Kathy McKay. Ericka loves living life with a passion for the water! She is a certified scuba instructor and has sailed all over the world. Growing up, she was a competitive high school swimmer and spent her summers on swim club teams. So, after earning her BA degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado and having a love for water sports and the ocean, the decision to make Maui her perfect and permanent home was easy. Ericka has a deep love for children and swimming and is proud to be part of the Lahaina Swim Club teaching ohana!

Coach Tom started coaching Lahainaluna swim team in 1995 and Lahaina Swim Club in 1996. He has an extensive background in competitive swimming. Coach Tom earned a swimming scholarship to Villanova University in Pennsylvania, and after completing his studies there he embarked upon a coaching career. Tom has coached at Division I Temple University and the University of Virginia, as well as at an Olympic-level team in Mission Bay, Florida. In Boca Raton he coached Spanish River High School to 3 state championships. In addition, Tom has individually completed numerous marathon swims on the East Coast, swam from Lanai to Maui, and successfully swam the English Channel in 1983.

Coach Jen’s beginnings were as a member of her high school swimming and sailing team. Ocean racing is what led her to the Islands and eventually making Maui her permanent home. Once she settled in warm waters, she acquired her Captain’s license and worked as a professional Boat Captain for 10 years and ran a Charter Boat company with her husband for 22 years. After earning her BA in Liberal Arts, she began to focus on family. But raising two boys involved in swimming surfaced her history and passion the sport and she made the decision to begin teaching. With over 20 years of involvement with the swimming community on Maui, she has been coaching on deck since 2008, as well as at Lahainaluna Swim Coach since 2010. Coach Jen is truly a treasured member of the Lahaina Swim Club!

Coach Gabby started her swimming journey at the age of 4 in Seattle, Washington. She swam for the local summer recreation team and eventually started swimming year-round on KING Aquatic Club. Coach Gabby later swam for the Division I team, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo throughout her time in college. Since her retirement from competitive swimming, Coach Gabby has stayed active in her swim communities through various coaching jobs that span from Washington, to California, and now Maui. When she is not on the pool deck, Coach Gabby is playing pickleball or at the beach!