Farallon moves up a division!

Farallon Aquatics: Rising Tides in Youth Water Polo

Farallon Aquatics, a Northern California-based club dedicated to high-performance aquatics training, is making waves in the youth water polo scene. Under the leadership of experienced coaches, the program is rapidly developing talented athletes across age groups.

Two squads in particular—the 18U and 12U teams—highlight the club’s impressive upward trajectory.

18U Team Earns Promotion to Futures D2

The Farallon Aquatics 18U squad has earned a well-deserved promotion to the D2 division of the prestigious Futures Water Polo League. This competitive league features top clubs nationwide and structures teams into divisions based on performance, offering high-level competition that challenges athletes to elevate their game.Moving up a division is a significant achievement, especially for a club still in its early stages.

This promotion reflects dedicated training that extends beyond the pool. The team incorporates dryland work like sled pushes, Jefferson curls, and conditioning swims, alongside strategic games against open teams. Spring training has emphasized building strength, chemistry, and tactical awareness.

For the 18U athletes, many eyeing college recruitment, this move to D2 provides tougher competition and greater visibility. It positions Farallon Aquatics among established programs while signaling that the club’s model—combining innovation, leadership development, and community stewardship—is working.

12U Squad: Building a Strong Foundation

While the 18U team earns headlines with their promotion, the 12U “Grom Squad” is laying the groundwork for future success. The younger group has shown remarkable promise, with early indicators pointing to a bright outlook in water polo.

Farallon’s youngest competitive players benefit from fundamentals-focused coaching (including contributions from coaches like Thomas Carrol and Jason Hornik) and innovative modalities that make learning engaging.

Recent reports describe the 12U as “starting to get very good,” with steady progress in technical abilities, game understanding, and physical conditioning. Their development mirrors the club’s overall philosophy: steady, science-backed improvement that prioritizes long-term growth over short-term wins. As these athletes gain experience in local and regional play, they are poised to follow the 18U pathway toward higher-level competition like Futures.

A Club on the Rise

Farallon Aquatics’ dual success with the 18U and 12U squads underscores a sustainable development model. The club partners with institutions like the University of San Francisco Men’s Water Polo program for clinics and leverages expertise from Olympic-level figures on its board, such as Johnny Hooper.

With facilities in the Marin area and a commitment to Northern California’s aquatic environments, Farallon offers more than just training—it builds character and community. As the 18U steps into D2 competition and the 12U continues its ascent, the club is proving that innovative, player-centered coaching can produce results at multiple levels. For families in the Bay Area looking to get involved, Farallon Aquatics welcomes new athletes ages 6–18.

The program’s rapid rise suggests that the best is yet to come for these young polo players. Whether chasing promotions in Futures or mastering the basics, Farallon is creating the next generation of aquatics leaders.

Forward is earned.