Coach Ryan grew up in Kailua and first learned how to swim under the legendary Al Minn, longtime coach at Aulea Swim Club. He spent five summers training with Coach Minn—an experience that laid the foundation for his lifelong connection to the water.

In high school, Coach Ryan was a multi-sport athlete at ʻIolani School, competing in both football and track. He later served as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for McKinley High School’s JV football team, helping to lead the turnaround of a winless program to a .500 season.

His journey into club swimming began when his oldest daughter joined a swim team at age six. Though new to competitive swimming, Coach Ryan immersed himself in the sport—observing, asking questions, and learning from his daughters’ coaches (his second daughter joined the sport four years later). That curiosity led him to become a volunteer assistant coach, and eventually, he fully committed to coaching, learning from experienced mentors across Hawai‘i and beyond.

Coach Ryan is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA), currently serves as Chair of the Oʻahu Swim League (OSL), and sits on the Board of Hawaiian Swimming. His coaching foundation has been shaped through years of hands-on experience and ongoing professional development, drawing from the work and teachings of some of the sport’s most respected coaches, including David Marsh, Richard Quick, Terry Laughlin, Ian Pope, Dave Salo, Bob Bowman, and Dick Hannula. His coaching philosophy is rooted in evidence-based training methods, with particular influence from Dr. Dave Salo’s high-intensity, low-volume “Sprint Salo” system and Dr. Brent Rushall’s Ultra Short Race Pace Training (USRPT), a research-driven approach championed by Forbes Carlile.

Outside the pool, Coach Ryan brings leadership experience from various sectors. He led the American Marketing Association at UH Mānoa to a national #1 collegiate ranking, managed a top-performing pharmaceutical team in Hawai‘i, and served in school PTA leadership roles. These diverse experiences continue to shape his approach to team-building and mentorship.

As Head Coach of Splash Aquatics, Coach Ryan believes his greatest strength lies in his deep passion for teaching, mentoring, and building meaningful relationships—with swimmers, Splash's amazing coaching staff, and the entire Splash ʻohana. His non-traditional path into coaching keeps him grounded, curious, and open to both proven techniques and new ideas, all in pursuit of building a training environment and team culture rooted in care, learning, and excellence.

Coach Ryan Nishikawa brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience to Splash Aquatics, offering a supportive, positive, and approachable presence that connects with swimmers of all ages and skill levels. In his three years as a Splash coach, he has rapidly helped swimmers achieve key milestones—from qualifying for state and regional championships to setting new state records. Coach Nish’s knack for building strong technical foundations, paired with his passion for creating a supportive atmosphere, enables swimmers to thrive and grow both in and out of the water.

As a husband to Jaime and proud swim dad to his three daughters—Callie, Emma, and Chloe—Coach Nish’s coaching is driven by a genuine desire to help kids achieve their full potential. With thoughtful guidance and a humble humor, he fosters an environment where swimmers are inspired to challenge themselves and pursue their best, while enjoying the journey.

Before Head Coach Ryan M. encouraged him to step formally into a swim coach role, Coach Nish built his foundation through years of competition in swimming, football, wrestling, and judo. In judo, he earned a 4th-degree black belt (Yodan), spent 29 years coaching, earned certification as a USA Judo Continental Coach, and led teams at national competitions. The discipline, precision, and focus on fundamentals that shaped his judo coaching continue to guide his approach in the pool, where he helps swimmers build strong technique, mental resilience, and lasting confidence.

 Age Group & Developmental Group Coach (McCully/Kapāolono)

Kai Iwamura

Coach Kai Iwamura has been coaching with Splash Aquatics since 2023 and also serves as an assistant coach for the Pac-5 middle and high school swim teams. A Splash alumnus, Coach Kai first joined the program in third grade, when practices were held at the Hongwanji Mission School pool.

A graduate of Hawai‘i Baptist Academy, Coach Kai swam for Pac-5, where he was among the top ILH swimmers in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly, was the freestyle anchor for his relay teams, and was a Senior Zones qualifier.

Coach Kai’s philosophy is shaped by his own experiences in the sport. He draws inspiration from the coaches who made practices both fun and challenging—an approach he now brings to the pool. His goal is to create practices that are positive and engaging, helping swimmers reach their full potential, ideally surpassing his own swim achievements. Known for his easygoing and approachable style, Coach Kai is a favorite among young swimmers, who respond to his encouragement and genuine care.

He is currently pursuing a Kinesiology degree at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, with plans to attend chiropractic school upon graduation. Coach Kai also works as a lifeguard and continues to train and compete in local swim meets whenever his schedule allows. Outside the pool, Coach Kai enjoys surfing, bodyboarding, and took up chess as a hobby during the COVID years.

For Coach Kai, working with young swimmers at Splash is more than just a job, it’s a meaningful way to stay connected to the sport that shaped him and to give back to the close-knit community that has supported him throughout his journey.

Developmental 1 Group Coach (McCully)

Keiko Aoyama

Developmental 2 Group Coach (Kapāolono)

Jared Oshiro

*Photo & profile coming soon!