Coach Laura Branton

Coach Laura Branton brings a lifelong passion for swimming and a deep commitment to athlete development to Hydra Aquatics. A seasoned competitor and educator, Laura’s journey spans nearly two decades and includes success at the local, national, and collegiate levels.

She began swimming in the NVSL at Oakton Swim & Racquet Club from 2003 to 2015, where she now serves as Head Coach and has led the team to divisional titles, relay carnival championships, and individual All-Star honors. Laura trained year-round with York Swim Club and Nation’s Capital Swim Club (NCAP), gaining elite-level experience within USA Swimming. She swam for Oakton High School before continuing to compete at the NCAA Division I level at Georgia Tech from 2015 to 2019.

Laura earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Georgia Tech, concentrating in Operations and Supply Chain Management. She coached at York Swim Club from 2020 to 2025, working with athletes of all ages and abilities—including PV Champs qualifiers, Sectional finalists, and National-level swimmers.

As a founding coach of Hydra Aquatics, Laura is known for her leadership, strong technical eye, and calm confidence on deck. Her coaching philosophy centers on fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where swimmers are both challenged and inspired to thrive—in and out of the water.