When Ace Dimalaluan moved from Cebu to Dubai in 2014, he was chasing better opportunities, not waves. “I found a job immediately in a construction company,” he recalls. “That was my life until the pandemic.” He couldn’t have predicted that years later, he would become a triathlete, an underwater hockey player, and a co-owner of a thriving swim academy in Dubai: Torpedos Swim Sports Academy. Everything changed when Ace met Riza Gerochi, a fellow Filipino expat and swim coach. They met through the UAE’s dragon boat community, where Ace served as one of the coaches. “When I found out she teaches swimming, I talked to her about opening our own swimming academy,” he says. Riza not only became his business partner but also his first swim coach. “She taught me how to swim properly. I was over 30 years old that time,” he recalls with a shy smile. His progress was so remarkable that he began competing. “Now, I join open-water swimming championships and triathlons. All thanks to Riza’s lessons.” Like many expats, Ace’s turning point came during the pandemic. “Riza and I didn’t have jobs, so we started giving private swimming lessons,” he says. “When the government lifted the ban, our lessons became such a hit that we discussed opening our own academy.” By 2022, Torpedos Swim Sports Academy was officially born.

Building a community of athletes

Today, Ace handles coaching for triathlons, gym training, and the academy’s expanding sports clinics. “We’re launching programs in basketball, football, and badminton,” he says. “Learning sports helps you balance your life and develop more confidence.” He is also a proud member of the UAE’s national underwater hockey team. “It’s a new sport here,” he explains. “We train in Al Nasr Club and have competitions as far as Singapore. We use scuba gear while holding a stick to push the puck toward the goal underwater.” His passion for teaching has extended beyond swimming to helping others find their own confidence in sports. “We have a Filipino sports community for running, swimming, and cycling. It’s our way of giving back,” Ace says. Riza and Ace complement each other perfectly: one focused on instruction and marketing, the other on fitness and development. Together, they have built a dynamic community that continues to grow. Their dream now? “To have our own permanent facility for Torpedos Swim Sports Academy,” Ace says. “And to train the next generation of swimmers who’ll represent the UAE.”

Torpedos Swim Sports Academy making waves in UAE

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into a new hobby, Torpedos Swim Sports Academy might just be your best starting block, Ace says. The academy has become one of the UAE’s top spots for sports lovers of all ages. From babies taking their first splash to seniors conquering lifelong fears of water, Riza and Ace have created a welcoming community that proves it’s never too late — or too early — to learn. What started as private swimming lessons during the pandemic has since grown into a full-fledged academy offering programs in swimming, triathlon training, fitness, and even underwater hockey. Ace also plays for the UAE national team in underwater hockey competitions locally and abroad. Thanks to passionate athletes like Coach Ace, this unusual yet fascinating sport is starting to make waves in the UAE.

Played at the bottom of a swimming pool, underwater hockey combines swimming, diving, and teamwork. Players wear snorkels and fins, and use short sticks to push a heavy puck across the pool floor toward the opposing team’s goal.

“It’s like ice hockey, but underwater,” Ace explains. “We’re now introducing it to our students at Torpedos Swim Sports Academy.” WDL/Expat Media

Quick fire with Coach Ace

How do you recharge? I swim. Go-to song before training Anything upbeat. Biggest pet peeve during swimming lessons Butterfly stroke! Coach with a soft heart Me! Favorite cheat food after training Anything with rice. One swim gear you can’t live without Goggles. Favorite UAE beach spot to unwind Deira Island. For lessons, contact +971 501029443 torpedosswimsportsacademy@gmail.com. This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine
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