RECognition: Tairan Wang, Aquatics

Recreation's monthly series to celebrate our staff

By Shawn Cyr
Assistant Marketing Director

A lifelong swimmer, Tairan Wang taught swim lessons to children while in high school. When he came to UC San Diego, he knew he wanted to keep teaching.

What he didn’t realize was the difference those lessons would make. Now a Head Instructor for Recreation, Tairan’s responsibilities include supervising the swimming safety lessons REC provides to the sixth-graders of the Preuss School, teaching disadvantaged youth how to swim.

“I feel like I have really been able to make an impact for the better of the UCSD community,” Tairan says. “Whether it's a PhD candidate or a young kid, seeing them get really excited from learning how to swim always makes me excited as well.”

Tairan is a philosophy major in Seventh College who will graduate in 2026. He’s a member of the UCSD Philosophy Club and enjoys spending his time “chatting about philosophical nonsense with friends.”

But there’s no nonsense about his work with REC. Since coming aboard in 2022, Tairan has taken pride in his job, which focuses on ensuring the swimmers receive the best possible learning experience. It’s a role that he’s excelled at, says Clayton Claiborn, Assistant Director of Aquatics.

“Tairan has a phenomenal work ethic and cares deeply about the swim lessons program,” Claiborn says. “He works well with all swim instructors and collaborates with fellow Aquatics staff to innovate and advance the impact of REC aquatic programs.

“Whether it's increasing swim safety of community youth or serving the high demand of UCSD students with access to swim lessons, Tairan is a valuable part of Aquatics and a consummate member of Recreation's student staff.”

That feeling of appreciation and respect goes both ways, Tairan says.

“I am grateful to Clayton and all the supervisors that I have the opportunity to work with,” Tairan says. “As a member of REC, I have been given the freedom and guidance to grow and learn. As a result, I continuously find myself with room to improve and the support to help me do so."