Mavi and Tuca smiling together at a train station, beside three photos of the crash scene on October 5

Stronger Together

Help Coach Mavi & Tuca heal

For 40 years, Coach Mavi helped swimmers reach their goals. Now it's our turn to help him.

On October 5, Coach Mavi and his wife Ana "Tuca" were in a serious car accident. Tuca is still in the hospital. Every gift helps them heal.

  • 🔒 Secure donations through GoFundMe
  • 💙 Money goes directly to Mavi & Tuca
  • 👥 Organized by friends of the Sampaio family
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What happened

On October 5, Mavi and Ana were in a serious car accident. The other car was fleeing from the police and came toward them in the wrong lane; the person in it died from the impact. Mavi and Tuca had no time to avoid it. Mavi broke his foot and several ribs and spent a few days in the hospital. Ana was hurt more seriously and has been in the hospital ever since. She is still recovering, and the road ahead will be long. Tuca will be unable to teach private swim lessons for more than a year, leaving her without that income while medical bills, rehabilitation costs and everyday expenses continue to grow.

Mavi and Tuca did not have health insurance at the time of the accident. That means the hospital bills, rehabilitation and everyday costs fall entirely on them — every gift makes a real difference.

Please keep Tuca in your prayers 🙏

Help Tuca heal

Latest updates

  1. October 18, 2026

    Mavi is home recovering from a broken foot and broken ribs. Tuca remains in the hospital. Thank you for every prayer and every gift.

Updated October 18, 2026

A life in the pool

0+

years coaching

0

NCAA national titles

0

national records

Coach of the Year (NCAA DII)

  1. 1970–1990

    Swimmer

    Born in Rio de Janeiro. Breaststroker. South American champion and record holder.

  2. 1983

    International

    5th at the Pan American Games and 10th at the World University Games.

  3. 1986

    Coach in Brazil

    Begins coaching in Brazil, leading club teams and working with the Brazilian Senior National Team; his swimmers win national, South American and Pan American titles and records.

  4. 1989–1990

    Masters

    Masters World Champion.

  5. 2000–2009

    University of North Dakota

    Head Swimming & Diving Coach, University of North Dakota. NCAA Division II Coach of the Year; ASCA Level 5; his swimmers won 32 NCAA national titles and broke 6 national records; team twice national runner-up.

  6. 2009–today

    Club coach, USA

    USA club coach; now Head Coach of Palm Desert Swim Club, California. Swimmers at USA Junior and Senior Nationals and on to top college programs.

Coach Mavi with a swim camp group at the pool
University of North Dakota swimming team photo
Mavi at an ASCA swimming coaches clinic in Brazil
“Perfect practice makes perfect.”
— Coach Mavi. He wants every swimmer to finish a race with an "I did a great job" smile.
Give back to Coach Mavi

Family

Mavi and his family on a day out

Mavi and Tuca are proud parents of Manuela and Mariana and just welcomed their first grandchild, Myles.

How your gift helps

Hospital & medical bills

Tuca's care & rehabilitation

Everyday expenses while Tuca cannot teach private swim lessons for more than a year

Family travel to be by Tuca's side

Every dollar goes directly to Mavi and Tuca.

Donate now

Messages for Mavi & Tuca

Leave a message of love, a prayer or a memory. Mavi and Tuca will read every one.

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Please keep Tuca in your prayers 🙏