A ball, pool, and shared passion — these mark the key ingredients to water polo coaches Seth and Katie Tasman’s relationship. Fostering the growth of both their athletes and their children, the Tasmans work as a dynamic duo both in the water and out.
Their story begins years ago, on the Los Altos High School pool deck, where they both coached for the same water polo club.
There, they clicked.
“Both of us had a passion for the sport,” Seth Tasman said. “And working together over time turned into a deeper connection that went beyond coaching. Our mutual dedication to building a strong team helped lay the foundation for our relationship.”
Today, they coach the LAHS varsity water polo and the varsity swim team together. Their dedication to their athletes is demonstrated through their coaching mindsets.
“We are committed to understanding each player as an individual,” Katie Tasman said. “Having to work hard to prove myself in college and earn the respect of high-level athletes, I value resilience and dedication, and I strive to instill those qualities in my athletes.”
In addition to their mindsets, they bring complementary yet different coaching styles. While Katie focuses on the fine details of technique, Seth brings in the big-picture perspective of resilience and confidence.
“These differences actually strengthen our program,” Seth Tasman said. “Katie’s attention to detail helps refine the fundamentals, and my style helps keep players motivated and focused on the overall team vision.”
“Our duality helps us build well-rounded teams and gives our players the tools to succeed,” Katie said. “It’s also fun to share our strengths and learn along the way.”
Their synergy goes beyond the pool. In fact, their shared passion for water polo has strengthened their marriage.
“We understand the unique challenges and demands of coaching, from late-night planning strategies to celebrating a hard-fought win,” Katie said. “It is fantastic to have someone who truly gets it and can offer meaningful advice or a listening ear.”
One of their proudest achievements has been establishing NorCal Aquatics, a local water polo club with over 150 athletes. The couple founded the club in 2014, and since then, its teams have been USA Water Polo Junior Olympic champions, and travel internationally to develop their skills.
“Beginning NorCal with less than 50 kids was a huge leap of faith,” Katie Tasman said. “But we were passionate about creating a program that emphasized skill development, teamwork, and a love for the game.”
Many of their experiences with the club became both meaningful and unforgettable.
“Watching the kids get excited about the sport and seeing how we both engaged them really showed us we could balance fun and discipline while teaching,” Seth Tasman said.
Over the years, they’ve raised more than just athletes — their two children are a fixture of practice. Whether at an LAHS or NorCal practice, the Tasmans’ kids often sit on deck watching practice or connecting with players during downtime.
“They love to play football,” senior Joseph Tadros said. “Our whole team would come early to practice just to mess around with them.”
Still, blending a professional and personal life comes with challenges. On one hand, the Tasmans acknowledge the need for personal space, but balancing their lives also involves making time for each other.
“We set aside time to connect on things outside of water polo, like spending family time together or planning little getaways,” Seth Tasman said. “It’s important for us to have conversations that aren’t just about the team or the sport so that our relationship stays strong and we get a break from the work mindset.”
“I remember after a win,” Joseph said. “Seth went up to Katie and dropped his ‘business facade’ and congratulated her as her husband, not a co-worker.”
“It’s been amazing to look back and realize how far the program has come, and even more fulfilling to know we’ve built something meaningful together,” Katie Tasman said.
