Hargrave Varsity Swimming & Diving
“My coaching centers around proper technique, especially at the development stage, which provides the best foundation for success and reduces the risk of injury or burnout.”
— Arilson Champam, Head Swimming Coach, HAVA Head Swimming Coach, Director of Aquatics
Head Coach
Olympic-Level Coaching Meets Science-Based Development
Coach Champam brings more than three decades of international swimming excellence to Hargrave, having coached athletes at the Olympic, World Championship, and Pan American levels. A former nationally ranked swimmer, his career includes coaching assignments with national teams representing Brazil, South Korea, India, and the Bahamas — spanning two Olympic Games, five World Championships, and multiple Pan American and Asian Championships.
Champam holds a postgraduate degree in Physiology of Exercise and Sport Training and a Master's degree in Human Movement Science, grounding his approach in science-based athlete development. He leads the program at Hargrave's Onishi-Davenport Aquatic Center, one of the fastest Olympic-sized facilities in the region.
- Olympic Games coaching experience (2012 London, 2020 Tokyo)
- Five World Championships across a 14-year span (2011–2025)
- National team coaching for four countries across multiple continents
- Science-based training methodology rooted in advanced degrees in exercise physiology and human movement
Program Philosophy
Building Complete Student-Athletes
Hargrave Varsity Swimming & Diving develops young men through a demanding, structured approach that unites competitive athletics with the academy’s core mission of character, discipline, and leadership.
Tactical Intelligence
Modern systems of play built around positional awareness, pressing triggers, and transition speed. Players learn to read the game at a higher level through structured tactical training and video analysis.
Technical Development
Intensive individual skill work with a focus on first touch, passing accuracy, and decision-making under pressure. Our methodology prioritizes quality repetition and game-realistic training environments.
Physical & Mental Resilience
The military academy structure provides an unmatched foundation for athletic discipline. Players develop mental toughness, competitive endurance, and the habits of accountability that define winners.
Program Goals & Vision Ahead
Competitive Recruiting
Aggressively building a roster of dedicated, talented players drawn to a program with elite coaching and a clear development pathway to collegiate competition.
Elevating Competition
Establishing a competitive Hargrave Varsity Swimming & Diving program through improved competitive results and structured seasonal preparation.
College Placement
Leveraging Coach Champam’s extensive collegiate network and recruiting expertise to connect qualified players with opportunities at the next level.
Culture of Excellence
Instilling in every player the discipline, teamwork, and character that define a Hargrave Man.
Varsity Swimming & Diving News
Hargrave Appoints World-Class Head Swim Coach
Hargrave Military Academy is proud to announce the appointment of Arilson Champam as Head Swim Coach, bringing over three decades of international swimming excellence to the Academy’s renowned swimming program. Champam, a former nationally ranked swimmer, has coached athletes at the highest ... Read more
Ready to Compete at a Higher Level?
Join a program with elite coaching, a structured development pathway, and the character-building foundation of a military academy education.