Coaches
Gadi Shamah, Head Coach
It is great to be a part of Piranha Swimming. I am a California Native and grew up in Marin County. I swam for the Marin Pirates and played water polo at the Junior National level. Although I left swimming to join the US Marines, I ultimately returned to the sport and have been coaching ever since.
I have over ten years of coaching experience and have an ASCA Level 4/3 certification. I have spent the last ten years coaching multiple levels which include the following: Learn-to-Swim programs with SwimAmerica, Head Coach of Summer League programs, Head Coach for Drake High School (4 th place finish at NCS 2006), three years as coach for the Marin Pirates including U.S. National Qualifiers, interning in Australia, and most recently Head Coach of YPAC Pirates.
It is my intention to mentor swimmers with a focus on the development of the total swimmer while creating a fun team environment. I strongly believe that swimming provides life lessons and skills such as work ethic, discipline, long term goal setting and teamwork. My goal as a coach is to achieve the highest team results both in and out of the pool.
Vicki Beard
Kari Cinnamon
Kari has been coaching with the Piranhas since the Summer of 2008. She is currently the coach for the Pre Team & Group 1 levels. Kari Graduated from the University of California Sacramento in 1993 with a BS.
Kari is a certified indoor cycling instructor with a passion for fitness. She believes if you learn to set goals and work hard you’ll experience great success at any age or level. She also has two children that are swimmers with the Piranhas. Kari is truly honored to be part of the Piranha coaching staff. Watching a child’s confidence increase and teaching them that they can do anything is amazing and the best part of the day!
