Long Beach Poly Boys Aquatics is rooted in the earliest chapters of Southern California high school sport—long before “aquatics” became a modern umbrella term. The school itself opened in 1895 (originally as Long Beach High School) and, after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, the campus was rebuilt and reopened in the mid-1930s with enduring Art Deco/PWA-era character that still defines Poly’s sense of place and tradition.

By the 1910s–1920s, Poly’s boys water polo teams were already among the region’s elite, capturing 11 CIF-SS titles between 1912 and 1929—a historic run that still stands as one of the program’s signature legacies.

On the swimming side, CIF-SS records show “Long Beach Poly” posting championship-level relay performances as far back as the late 1920s and early 1930s, underscoring just how long aquatics excellence has been part of the Poly identity.

The Poly Natatorium: home-water advantage

Walking into the Poly Natatorium feels like stepping into a living time capsule—bright water, echoing walls, and a deck-level intensity that makes every dual meet feel bigger than the scoreboard. It’s been a defining home for generations of Jackrabbits (and it’s been hosting major crowds for decades—at least back into the 1950s). Enjoy every moment you can since the Natatorium is scheduled for demolition soon to make way for a beautiful new outdoor pool!

Moore League moments

In recent history, one of the biggest milestones came in 2023, when Poly boys swimming won the Moore League championship—a breakthrough that also ended Wilson’s 49-year league title streak dating back to 1972.

Boys water polo in the Moore League has often felt like a yearly heavyweight bout, frequently with Wilson as the bar to clear (including Wilson’s long run of recent league titles).

Coach Ishmael “Ish” Pluton – Head Coach, Long Beach Poly Boys Aquatics

Ishmael “Ish” Pluton is a proud Long Beach Poly alumnus (Class of 2011) who has become one of the most influential figures in the program’s recent history. Born and raised in Long Beach, Ish started his aquatics journey as a club swimmer with Lakewood Aquatics at age 10 and quickly found his passion for water polo as a Jackrabbit. As a Poly student-athlete, he earned All-Moore League honors in water polo—2nd team as a junior and 1st team as a senior goalie—establishing himself as a foundational part of the program.

After high school, Ish continued his education and athletic career at UC Davis (Class of 2015), competing for the NCAA Division I water polo team before transitioning to club leadership, where he served as club president for three years.

Returning home after college, Ish began coaching at the high school level, first as a goalie coach and freshman-sophomore swim coach at Wilson High School, then returning to his alma mater in 2016 as head boys’ water polo coach at Long Beach Poly. Under his leadership, the Jackrabbits captured a CIF Southern Section championship in 2021—a historic milestone for the program.

In 2022, Coach Pluton expanded his role, taking on the position of head coach for the boys’ swim team in addition to water polo, bringing deep local roots and a coach-for-life mentality to both sides of the aquatics program.