Two weeks after winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chase and Ryder Dodd are back in the pool preparing for the 2024 college season. The brothers will again be playing side by side but this time at UCLA where Chase will be a Junior and Ryder a freshman.

Through the years Chase and Ryder participated in many of the club’s activities including Killer Bees, Fit JGs, Sea Otters, Sabot and Opti Sailing, and the Catalina Experience. Did you know Chase and Ryder’s first swim team experiences were here at Long Beach Yacht Club and this is where the two were first introduced to water polo? Like so many young athletes they dreamed of becoming Olympians one day. When they were in middle school and began competing for opportunities to represent the USA in international competitions through USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program, that dream became a goal—a goal which they accomplished this past summer at 21 and 18 years of age as the two youngest players on the team. Beginning in January, the brothers shifted their studies to online so they could train and compete abroad not knowing if they would make the team or not. During one of their training trips, thanks to their father’s sailing connections, the boys and the entire Men’s National Team were able to tour the American Magic facility in Barcelona and meet some of the sailors as they prepared for the America’s Cup. This was an experience enjoyed by all!

After months of traveling, training, and competing abroad, the boys were back in the States just in time for Ryder to attend prom and his high school graduation from JSerra Catholic High School. Then it was back to the grind before heading off to Paris. The men’s team won a bronze medal in Paris after beating Hungary in a shootout. The last time the US Men’s water polo team medaled at the Olympics was in 2008, and before that, medals were sparse.

The obvious favorite memory for the brothers was standing side by side on the podium to receive their bronze medal. They admit that participating in the opening ceremony ranks high among other memorable moments. The boys shared that standing amongst the best of the best in basketball, gymnastics, swimming, and track and field was a humbling experience. The energy on the boat as they traveled down the Seine River in the rain was insane, they said. It was an incredible experience to be alongside an elite group of athletes, all excited to represent the USA in the Olympics.

Other highlights included sitting in the common area of the Olympic Village and cheering on other American athletes as they swam or ran their way to Olympic medals. The enthusiasm the athletes demonstrated for each other was contagious! The water polo venue was the largest facility they had ever played in. Over 15,000 fans were in attendance. They could barely hear each other in the water due to the roars of the passionate crowd. They admitted they fed off the encouragement and support they received from family and friends (and their family and friends) back at home. The Dodd Brothers are excited to show the world the LBYC in 2028!