Anna Abakumova

Head Coach

Anna has been a coach for the past 13 years. During that time, she has prepared two swimmers for the Uzbekistan National Swimming Team, as well as improving the swimming skills of many junior members of the Uzbekistan National Swimming Team. We are proud to have her coaching the Clifton Seahawks. Her background includes:

2008-2011 - Age Group Coach, Clifton Seahawks
1998-2007 - Coach at State Olympic Reserve Swimming School, Tashkent Uzbekistan: prepared two members for the Uzbekistan National Swimming Team

Karen Arias

Karen is a Junior in college,who swam with the Seahawks for 6 years. She began in the Bronze group and worked her way into the Gold group. She has coached the Little Seahawks, Bronze, and Silver groups for the Seahawks for the past two years and loves it! "I love my job because you get to see how they improve their technique and speed, it is the best feeling ever." Karen is also a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Boys and Girls club.

Donna Balagtas

Donna is a Junior at William Paterson University. She swam competitively for 13 years with the Clifton Seahawks, Clifton High School team, and William Paterson University. Donna coaches the Little Seahawks, Silver and Bronze groups as well as teaching swim lessons. She believes that in order to succeed in swimming, the children need to stay motivated and focused while in the water, while at the same time being shown love and support.

Chris Hyde

Level 2 USA Swimming Coach

Chris is a graduate of Seton Hall University, where he swam for their NCAA Division 1 team. He was also captain of the Clifton High School swim team, where he set several school records. Before that, he was a member of the Montclair Dolphins swim team. Besides coaching, Chris maintains the Seahawks website.

Rina Witrow

Level 2 USA Swimming Coach

Rina joined the seahawks in 2001 after completing her own swimming career. Rina works primarily with the youngest Seahawks and is a strong believer in developing proper stroke technique from an early age. Many older Seahawks participate in Rina’s Lifeguarding and CPR programs.