TODD HICKMAN, HEAD AGE GROUP COACH
August 2025 - Present, Email: [email protected]
  
Coach Todd has dedicated his life to swimming, both as a competitor and as a coach. With over 22 years of competitive swimming experience, he achieved numerous accomplishments, including qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984, 1988, and 1992, where he finished in the top 16 in the 200 and 400 IM. He was a nine-time USA Swimming Nationals qualifier, earning a career-best 4th-place finish in the 400 IM, and competed collegiately for the University of Arizona from 1984 to 1988, where he became an NCAA All-American in 1987. Todd was also a member of the USA Junior National Team from 1984 to 1985, ranked in the top 15 in the United States and top 25 in the world, and set a National Age Group Record in the 500 freestyle.
  
As a coach, Todd has worked with athletes at every level, from learn-to-swim beginners to elite national competitors. He has helped guide swimmers to Olympic Trials, Division I collegiate programs, and national-level success. His coaching accomplishments include developing National Team swimmers, coaching National Select Camp athletes, being named to the 2016 USA National Team Coaches List, and coaching qualifiers for both the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. Under his leadership, athletes have broken multiple Southern California Swimming relay and individual records, national relay records, and a National Age Group individual record in 2014. Additionally, Todd has led multiple Junior Olympic teams to first-place finishes. Passionate and dedicated, Coach Todd continues to inspire his athletes to dream big, work hard, and achieve the impossible.
 
Platinum Group

Swimmer age: 10-14 years old

Description:

The Platinum Group is designed for the most advanved age group swimmers who have graduated from our Gold Group or have achieved a minimum of the SCS National “BB” time standard for their age and should be approaching SCS “WAG/JAG” time standards for their age.

The Platinum group is for swimmers who have advanced competitive swimming technique for each stroke. This stage is heavily dedicated to training and establishing strong technical foundations in all 4 strokes and a competitive mindset for the long run.

This stage involves a genuine interest and commitment to competitive swimming

success from both parents and their swimmer(s).

 

Gold Group Commitment & Requirements:

  • Must have achieved SCS National “BB” time standard for their age
  • Expected attendance: 5 to 6 practices/week (85% attendance required)
  • Dryland sessions: 3 times/week
  • Attend all appropriate swim meets on The San Clemente Meet Schedule

Gold Group Focus:

  • Working towards SCS “WAG/JAG” time standard for their age
  • Working towards National Group expectations (also Senior Development times)
  • Developing and maintaining a strong anaerobic and aerobic base.
  • Knowledge and skill at all “Gold” level swim drills
  • Flexibility/range of motion, & core stability
  • Very good technical proficiency in ALL 4 strokes
  • Energy Management/Awareness (Pacing and controlling effort and speed)
  • Racing Preparation, Strategy, and Goal Setting
  • Sportsmanship/Team Dedication
  • FUN!!!

Requirements to Move Up to The National Group:

  • Must have Achieved Senior Development Times
  • Must attend practice 5 to 6 times/week
  • Must have an “IMX” Score (swam all “IMX” events)
  • Attend all appropriate swim meets on San Clemente Swim Meet Schedule
  • Must be Invited to the Group from the Head Coach

 

Equipment: Arena Hand Paddles, Arena Pull Buoy, Arena Ankle Band, Arena Fins, Arena Mesh Bag, Water Bottle and Appropriate Dry-land Clothes and Shoes

 

A Tryout is required to join this group.  

San Clemente Aquatic Team assigns swimmers to practice groups based on skill/ability and age.  Coaches are able to focus on techniques, skills and intervals that are best suited for our swimmers’ development while enhancing aerobic and speed capacity.  Each coach strives to create a fun yet challenging environment for our swimmers.  

 

Although practice attendance is not mandatory for most groups, we do encourage swimmers to attend all or as many practices as possible, attendance + effort = success.  Swim meets are optional for some groups and mandatory for others.  Swim meets are a chance for swimmers, coaches and parents to see progress. 

 

Move-ups between groups tend to occur at the end of our short course and long course seasons.  Coaches will review all aspects of move up timing, including test sets, leadership in the lane and group, mental, physical and emotional readiness.  Attendance and practice effort will also be considered as variables.