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Alpha Diving Club​
Alpha Diving Club's main goal is to help our divers become successful in diving and in life.
We build divers!
Embracing Challenges in a Safe and Responsible Manner
In our over 20 years of experience, we have learned different coaching techniques that provide a solid and SAFE way to learn our beautiful sport. Our method of training covers fundamentals, technique, mindset and conditioning of the athletes.
Preparing the athletes..... for life!!
Our Story
We’ve loved every minute of our journey
Venezuela
Our Story started in 1999 while living in Venezuela. Ilich Marcano was preparing the next generation of champions. Time went by and divers such as Robert Paez and Maria Betancourt became the result of all the hard work placed throughout many years.
Seattle, Washington
We arrived in Seattle, Washington on September of 2015 and for the past 8 years we have been building divers from the ground up. Using safe and methodologically planned workouts.
Since 2016, we have qualified multiple divers to USA Diving Nationals, a few into Semifinals and finals, and in 2022 our divers were medalists at AAU Nationals in San Antonio. TX.
Alpha Coaches
Ilich Marcano
Coach Ilich Marcano is the head coach and the cornerstone of Alpha Diving Club, widely recognized as one of Venezuela’s premier aquatics coaching exports. With over 25 years of experience, his illustrious career boasts international achievements—including a 5th place finish at the 2005 World Championship in Montreal, a standout performance at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, and multiple medals at Diving Grand Prix events. His leadership has also paved the way for athletes to compete at the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016.
At Alpha Diving Club, Coach Ilich’s visionary guidance and unwavering commitment to excellence set the standard for our entire team. Renowned for his ability to transform novice divers into elite competitors, he instills a championship mindset and a positive attitude in every athlete. His passion for the sport and proven track record continue to inspire and elevate our club, making him a true leader in the diving community.
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Gerson Martinez
Gerson Martinez, originally from Venezuela, is a distinguished diving coach with a remarkable 30-year career in the sport. Since moving to the United States in 2016, he has dedicated himself to enhancing American diving, contributing to elite programs such as Alpha Diving Club and RIPFEST Diving Academy. At RIPFEST, he worked alongside Olympic coach John Wingfield, developing elite athletes who excelled at national and international levels, with several qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Trials.
Gerson’s coaching journey began in 1992, following a successful diving career in Venezuela. As a regional head coach and a member of the Venezuelan National Team coaching staff, he played a pivotal role in shaping national athletes for international success. His leadership extended to serving as the National Technical Director of High Performance and Head Coach of the Venezuelan National Team, guiding the team through the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games, and the 2012 London Olympics.
Beyond coaching, Gerson has been an influential figure in the international diving community, serving on the Technical Commission of CONSANAT from 2010 to 2018. His expertise and commitment to athlete development have made a lasting impact on the sport, ensuring both safety and excellence in competitive diving.
Daniel Marcano
Daniel Marcano is the youngest coach on our team, bringing a fresh mix of energy, passion, and expertise to Alpha Diving Club. His natural ability to connect with athletes makes his coaching style both fun and inspiring, blending humor with dedication to help them reach their full potential.
Diving runs in Daniel’s blood—he’s the son of renowned coach Ilich Marcano and grew up surrounded by champion divers and Olympic dreams. With that background, he knows firsthand the discipline, passion, and resilience it takes to succeed in the sport. He’s committed to carrying on his family’s legacy while helping Alpha Diving Club reach new heights.
Beyond his work with the club, Daniel also has experience coaching high school divers, giving him an even broader perspective on athlete development. With his unique blend of tradition and fresh perspective, he’s not just following in his family’s footsteps—he’s carving his own path in the future of diving.