Coaches | Farallon Aquatics

About our Coaches

Zac Monsees

Founder, Executive Director

Background & Philosophy

Coach Zac is a husband, father, water polo player, coach, and administrator with over three decades of experience in aquatics. His favorite sport by far is water polo, but enjoys a wide range of competitive endeavors and hobby's.

His coaching philosophy was forged at the highest levels of competition in swimming and water polo, understanding that the chase for excellence and growth makes for the most rewarding experiences.

In the past 4 years, Zac has fostered the development of over 30 D1 collegiate commits, and had athletes he coached on the rosters of the D1 NCAA champion, D1 NCAA runner-up, DIII NCAA champion, and DIII runner up in 2024.

Two-time D1 NCAA champion, professional athlete, and national team member with a proven track record of developing talent and championship pedigrees.

Zac is passionate about fostering growth of the sport & facilitating success for athletes both in and out of the pool, leveraging his broad experience in sport as both a player and coach.

He founded Farallon to help every athlete, regardless of where they want to go with aquatics, to set clear goals and help facilitate them in surpassing those goals.

Administrative Experience

Commissioner, Olympic Club Men’s Water Polo | 2014 – 2020

Spearheaded leadership of the nation’s most competitive club team. Overseeing roster selection, tournament scheduling and training programming. Evaluated and recruited top NCAA and national team players into the program. Responsible for all scheduling of practices and tournaments. Contributed to Olympic Club's consistent US Open podiums, multiple Fisher Cup Championships, and multiple US and World Masters Gold Medals.

Athletic Experience

US National Team Member | 2007 – 2012

· Represented the United States in multiple championship tournaments.

Professional Water Polo

· Attacker, Club Athletico Paulistano

· Attacker, CWS Sevilla – Spanish Honor Division (Most competitive league in Spain.)

University of California, Berkeley | 2008

· First Team All-American, water polo

· Two-time NCAA Division 1 National Champion, led team in assists, 2nd in steals, 3rd in goals

· Academic All-American

· Dual sport athlete (Swimming and Water Polo) at Cal-Berkeley

Early Achievements

· Lamorinda Water Polo Club, two-time 20-Under National Champions

· 7-time CCS Champion in 200 free, 200 IM, and 500 Freestyle events

· Competed in 200 IM at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials

· Inducted into 2004 San Jose Hall of Fame

Courtney Monsees

Swimming Expert

Coach Courtney is a Bay Area native, athlete, and mom. She grew up swimming and playing water polo, and after Division 1 competition in the pool, she expanded her passion for water sports to include open water swimming, triathlon, and kite surfing.

Courtney has shaped her coaching philosophy through the lessons she has learned about life and herself through swimming. Her goal is to instill in young people the importance of giving their absolute best every day. When approached with honesty and commitment, it fosters a profound sense of self-respect that becomes the cornerstone for overcoming life’s inevitable challenges.

“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what’s above. One climbs, one sees, one descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art in conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.” –Rene Daumal

Coaching Experience

· Commissioner, The Olympic Club Swimming, 2022-2025

· Santa Clara Swim Club, Developmental; High-Performance Coach 2012- 2015

Athletic Experience

· English Channel, fastest crossing of the year, The Olympic Club relay 2022

· Maui Channel Women’s Relay record holder 2018

· Ironman finisher, first out of the water 2017

· Six-time All American, University of Georgia 2008-2011

· Academic All American

· Two–time SEC Division 1 Champions

· Two- time NCAA Division 1 runners-ups

· University of Georgia record holder in 200 IM, 2008