Gator Water Polo

What Gator Water Polo does

Gator Water Polo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth water polo organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Gainesville, Florida. It was established by John Trimble with David Huelsman joining as co-founder and President/Head Coach to address the lack of youth water polo opportunities in North Florida. The organization delivers tiered team training programs structured by age and skill level — Orange/Blue (ages 8-13, beginners), Bronze/Silver (ages 13-19, intermediate), and Gold (ages 14/16/19, elite) — along with a Masters program for adults 18+, swim lessons through a SwimTec partnership, summer residential and day camps featuring European BIWPA coaching, international clinics, and tournament hosting (Florida International Tournament Series).

The organization operates without proprietary technology; its product is in-person coaching and athletic development. It is USA Water Polo affiliated (Club #25879) and conducts practices primarily at the Dwight H. Hunter Northeast Pool in Gainesville, with summer camps leveraging University of Florida facilities and the Holiday Inn University Center. Revenue is generated through monthly subscriptions ($120-$140/month plus $40 registration), unit-priced camps ($700-$1,100), clinic tuition ($350-$450), tournament team fees ($775), merchandise (Gator Gear), and tax-deductible scholarship donations. International expansion occurs via partner-driven clinics in Canada and Colorado, and the organization co-founded Florida's first professional water polo team (the Florida Nessies) in 2022, establishing a youth-to-collegiate-to-professional pipeline.

The go-to-market is community-led: free first practices, local school partnerships, parent word-of-mouth, and grassroots recruitment. The organization has produced NCAA Division I athletes and supports its head coach's award-winning track record (three CWPA Florida Conference Coach of the Year awards, 2019 USA Water Polo Monte Nitzkowski Award). All strategic activity is constrained by a small operational footprint, single primary training facility, and nonprofit capital structure.

Name

Gator Water Polo

Legal name

Gator Water Polo, Inc.

Website

https://gatorwaterpolo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gator Water Polo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Gainesville, Florida delivering tiered youth water polo training programs (ages 8-19), Masters programming, summer camps with European BIWPA coaches, international clinics, and tournaments for youth athletes and families across Florida, the U.S., and select international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Training

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aquatic Centers & Swimming Facilities (MPAKAEAF)

Keywords

• Youth water polo training
• Water polo coaching
• Sports summer camps
• Swim lessons academy
• Water polo tournaments

Headquarters

HQ city

Gainesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Youth Team Memberships: Monthly subscription fees for youth water polo teams ranging from $120-$140/month plus registration fees. Programs include Orange/Blue (beginners), Bronze/Silver (intermediate), Gold (advanced), and Masters teams.
2. Summer International Water Polo Event: Residential and day camp programs during summer sessions. Residential athletes pay $1100 for room, board, training, and competition. Day athletes pay $700 for training and lunch. Additional revenue from airport transfers, video analysis, limited edition suits, and extra nights.
3. International Clinic Programs: 3-day clinics held in locations like Surrey, British Columbia and Colorado. Tuition ranges from $350-$450 plus registration fees. Partner-driven model with BIWPA and local water polo organizations.
4. Scholarship Donations: Tax-deductible donations to support youth athletes in need. Covers full year expenses including fees, team suit, and team t-shirt. Donation tiers: 1 athlete 1 year $975, 2 athletes 1 year $1950.
5. Gear and Equipment Sales: Gator Gear merchandise shop selling water polo equipment, team suits, and apparel.
6. Tournament Registration Fees: Tournament fees for teams participating in organized competitions like the Florida International Water Polo Tournament Series. Teams pay $775 per team ($750 before early deadlines).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Gator Water Polo delivers structured youth water polo training and competitive programming in Gainesville, Florida, organized by age and skill level (Orange/Blue beginner teams for ages 8–13, Bronze/Silver intermediate teams for ages 13–19, and Gold elite teams). Complementary offerings include a Masters adult program, residential and day summer camps, international clinics in Canada and Colorado, hosted tournaments, swim lessons via SwimTec, and branded merchandise. Programs are USA Water Polo affiliated and culminate in collegiate and professional water polo pathways.

Product overview

Gator Water Polo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth water polo organization offering a comprehensive suite of training and competitive programs. The core offering consists of Youth Water Polo Teams structured by age and skill level (Orange/Blue for ages 8-13, Bronze/Silver for ages 13-19, Gold for elite athletes), complemented by a Masters Water Polo program for adults 18+. Seasonal programming includes the flagship Florida International Summer Water Polo Event featuring international training methodology and competition, plus various camps and clinics held at locations including Gainesville, Surrey (BC), and Colorado. The organization partners with SwimTec for swim lessons and operates a merchandise store (Gator Gear). All programs are affiliated with USA Water Polo, and scholarships are available to support athlete participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Water Polo Teams Structured youth water polo training programs organized by age and skill level, including Orange/Blue Teams (ages 8–13) for fundamentals, Bronze/Silver Teams (ages 13–19) for advanced development, and Gold Teams (ages 14/16/19) for elite competitive athletes. Subscriptions priced $120–$140/month plus $40 registration.
• Masters Water Polo

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced several NCAA Division I athletes and dozens more who have gone on to play at colleges across the country
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Florida NessiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Florida's first professional water polo team, co-founded by David Huelsman and Josh Weiner in 2022. Represents the bridge between collegiate and professional competition in the United States. Creates pathway from Gator Water Polo youth development through UF college water polo to professional water polo.
• SwimTeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwimTec provides swim lessons for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Partnership addresses the swimming prerequisite (ability to swim 25 yards unassisted) for water polo participation. SwimTec offers indoor, heated pool lessons year-round at 7010 NW 23rd Way, Gainesville, FL 32653. Swim lessons cover baby/toddler through adult, with private and semi-private options available.
• BIWPA (Barcelona International Water Polo Academy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIWPA provides European water polo training methodology and international coaching staff for Gator Water Polo programs. BIWPA coaches include Quim Colet (CN Sabadell men's senior team head coach, former Spanish National team assistant), Egedi Gabor (Hungarian national team, Philippines national team coach), Yuri Colet (BIWPA Academy Head Coach, Barcelona Water Polo Club), and Ferran Pascual (Portugal Women's National Team Head Coach).
• USA Water PolocoreOthersGator Water Polo is a proud member of USA Water Polo (Club #25879). All athletes must be registered with USA Water Polo Bronze membership or higher. Membership provides insurance coverage and access to national competition structure. The organization is USA Water Polo affiliated since its founding in 2013.
• Holiday Inn University CenterminorOthersPreferred hotel partner for summer residential camps. Located across from University of Florida, provides room and board for athletes during camp. Includes ~3000 sq ft conference center for meals, activities, and supervision. Special discount rates available for camp families.
• University of FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership provides access to UF facilities including Dwight H. Hunter Northeast Pool, UF Football Stadium (dryland training), and UF Dining Hall. UF student athletes serve as camp counselors. Relationship extends to coaching staff connections (David Huelsman served as UF Men's Water Polo Head Coach 2016-2022).
• Surrey Water Polo (British Columbia, Canada)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Surrey Water Polo to deliver Gator Water Polo / BIWPA International Clinic Series at Guildford Recreation Centre, Surrey, BC. Space limited to 30 athletes per age group.
• Warrior Aquatics Water Polo (Colorado)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Warrior Aquatics Water Polo to deliver Gator Water Polo International Clinic Series at Arapahoe High School, Centennial, CO. 3-day clinic format with group sessions for ages 10-18.
• Buchholz High School Water PolominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal high school water polo program partnership. Buchholz Bobcats Water Polo is among the Gainesville area high schools with water polo programs developed through Gator Water Polo's regional ecosystem building.
• Gainesville High School Water PolominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal high school water polo program partnership. Gator Water Polo helped establish GHS's first district title in 2019. The organization aims to establish a team at every high school in Gainesville.
• Visit Gainesville / Alachua CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism development partners who have provided partial funding for the Florida International Water Polo Events, supporting regional sports tourism.

Scale indicators7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Coast Water Polo: California-based water polo club running age-group teams, clinics, and tournaments under USA Water Polo governance. Comparable membership-based club model and youth-team tier structure.
• LA Water Polo Club: Los Angeles-based USA Water Polo-affiliated club offering structured youth training programs across age groups, with regional and national competitive circuits. Directly comparable as a tiered-membership water polo club producing college-level athletes.
• Bay Area Water Polo (BAWP): San Francisco Bay Area water polo club offering year-round youth training and competitive teams. Comparable as a regional USA Water Polo-affiliated club with structured age-group development and tournament participation.
• Mission Viejo Water Polo Club: Premier Southern California youth water polo club with structured age-group teams, tournament participation, and a strong college placement pipeline. Highly comparable to Gator Water Polo as a USA Water Polo-affiliated club with tiered team structures and elite coaching.
• Stanford Water Polo Club: Northern California youth water polo organization providing structured age-group training and competitive teams with strong collegiate feeder reputation. Comparable to Gator Water Polo as a USA Water Polo affiliate focused on youth development and tournament play.

Regional players

• South Florida Water Polo: South Florida-based water polo club serving a different geographic territory within the same state as Gator Water Polo. Comparable club structure and youth programming, providing a regional peer for North Florida's only water polo program.

Others

• SwimLabs / Swim Facility Operators (e.g., SwimLabs, British Swim School): Adjacent swim-instruction franchises and academies that feed into water polo participation. Comparable in the swim-lessions business line (which Gator Water Polo delivers via its SwimTec partnership), though their core offering is swimming rather than water polo.

Emerging players

• SET Water Polo: Texas-based water polo club focused on youth development and tournament participation. Comparable as a USA Water Polo-affiliated club with tiered team structures and elite-team pathways in a non-traditional water polo market.

Broad incumbents

• USA Water Polo: National governing body for water polo in the US, of which Gator Water Polo is an affiliated club (#25879). Sets rules, hosts national tournaments and ODP pipelines, and represents the broader institutional environment in which Gator Water Polo operates.
• Olympic Club Water Polo (San Francisco): Historic athletic club with a multi-generational water polo program offering youth, masters, and competitive team participation. Comparable as a multi-tiered water polo club with masters and youth pathways, though broader in scope as part of a general athletic club.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gatorwaterpoloinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/GatorWaterPoloInc
• Instagraminstagram.com/gatorwaterpolo
• Xx.com/GatorWaterPolo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gator Water Polo