Courtesy of United States Aquatic Sports, Dallas, Texas..
How does a coach in the middle of the vast American southwest desert build a strong program in open water swimming?
Through a deep passion, lifelong perseverance and positively prodding his athletes to always seek excellence.
Ron Aitken of the Sandpipers of Nevada in Las Vegas has built a powerful pool and open water program and was honored for the second time with the USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year.
Coach Aitken is a Level 5 American Swimming Coaches Association coach who has been with the Sandpipers since 1994. Among his many achievements:
* 2016 Olympic gold and bronze medalist
* USA Swimming Development Coach of Year
* 2016, 2009 American Swim Coaches Association Certificate of Excellence
* 2016, 2012, 2008, 2000 USA Olympic Trial Qualifiers in every event from the 50 to 1500 freestyle and all strokes, 200 IM and 400 IM
* 2016 USA Swimming Head Coach Open Water World Junior Team in Horn, Netherlands
* 200-2016 Multiple USA National Junior Team members and coach
* 2014 FINA Open Water Swimming Junior World Championship coach
* 2013 FINA World Cup coach
For more information on the Sandpipers, visit here.
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