Aberdeen Rays Swim Team

Left to Right: Coach Ricky, Coach Brian, and Coach Lauren

Ricardo Bonilla also known as “Coach Ricky” to many, is a passionate athlete, swimmer and coach with decades of experience. As a competitive swimmer in his youth, Ricardo qualified for several Junior Olympic, National and Regional Events. As an adult, he has continued to compete, place and teach others to do the same in long distance running, cycling, and triathlon events. He believes that to become great at anything, it starts with becoming efficient and detailed at whatever you do. Technique is everything.

Over the past 4 years, he has been one of the coaches for the Aberdeen Rays swim team. His experience has been a great asset to the team. All of our swimmers have improved on their times, and have gone on to compete at the Club and High School level including high schools in SJCSD. Competitive swimmers, triathletes, and long distance swimmers, have all benefited and/or improved from his instruction.

Brian Larkin's journey began on the Westside of Jacksonville, where he first embraced the world of summer swimming at the tender age of 7, joining the River City Swim League. This early passion led him to become a 7-time River City Champion. By age 14, Brian was already sharing his expertise as an assistant coach, advancing to the role of head coach for Chimney Lakes Swim Club at 17. After three rewarding seasons, he took a hiatus to complete a two-year mission for his church. Upon returning, Brian married Ashley Collins from Jacksonville Beach, and they are now proud parents to four children. A firm believer in community service, he eagerly accepted Coach Lauren's invitation to assist with coaching duties. Brian has since contributed three years as an assistant coach at Aberdeen and as an assistant to the Loggerheads Swim team for 1 year. Brian loves teaching children swimming, instilling a strong work ethic, and fostering a competitive spirit.

Lauren grew up in Delaware and was always in love with the water. This love had her swimming competitively from the age of 4 on various teams, including summer leagues, year-round programs, USS swimming programs, and high school. Although she chose marching band over swimming in college, that did not stop her from finding the water. Her passion and knowledge of swimming led her to work for Penn State University as a swim instructor and a college instructor for the Exercise and Physiology Department, while also attending as an undergraduate. After graduation, she worked as an Aquatics and Recreation Director for various recreational programs planning events, teaching, coaching, and instructing. In 2008 she moved to Florida and continued to work with aquatic programs and coaching. In 2014 she started the Aberdeen Rays Swim Team to help children in the Community grow the same love of swimming and make lifelong friendships. Helping children with swimming and growing a love of the water is her passion and she loves being able to share that with the surrounding community.

Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Parks Management and a master’s degree in Public Administration. She has been an instructor for the American Red Cross for over 25 years and an Instructor Trainer in Lifeguarding and Water Safety. She resides in Aberdeen with her family, is mother to an Aberdeen Rays swimmer, and looks forward to another successful year for the Aberdeen Rays Swim Team.