Mike Collins  

Michael Collins joined the Novaquatics staff in November 2000. Collins runs the early am and mid-day workout sessions and also coaches for the Nova age group team at Los Caballaros Country Club.

In addition to coaching, Collins is a well known writer on the subject of swimming. His articles have appeared in TRIATHLETE magazine, SWIM magazine, American Swimming, and many other national publications. In addition, he has written a book entitled A DAM Good Year. It contains the workouts his team did for an entire year, as well as his philosophy of swimming and coaching for Masters. (Now out of print). You can also see his race coverage postings at www.swiminfo.com where he is the webmaster.

Collins also competes himself in pool and open water swimming, triathlons, road & mountain cycling, and running events. In triathlons he specializes in sprint distance races. In 1998 he was the overall champion at the Hermosa Beach Triathlon and Catalina Triathlon. In 1999 had an even better year winning all three races in the Day at the Beach Series (Huntington, Malibu, & Hermosa), as well as repeating at Catalina.

COACHING HISTORY

Bruin Masters Swimming (UCLA) - Co-coach with Gerry Rodrigues 1997-2000 at one of the top masters programs in the nation. Bruin Masters are 250 strong and run approximately 5 workouts per day.

Total Immersion Swim Camps (TI) - Collins also serves as a Senior Clinic Instructor for Total Immersion. Has worked closely with Total Immersion founder Terry Laughlin, and other TI Instructors to develop the best school for learning to swim efficiently.

Davis Aquatic Masters (DAM) - Collins was the DAM Head Coach, the largest single Masters program in the country, from 1989-1997. He was selected as the youngest United States Masters Swimming Coach of the Year in 1990 at the age of 22.

UC Davis (UCD) - In addition to coaching Masters, Collins was an assistant coach at the University of California Davis Men's Team from 1990-94. In his first year UC Davis placed 5th at the Division II NCAA's. In 1992 the team to move up to 4th place. In 1993 Davis qualified a record 18 swimmers for nationals, and moved up to third.

American River College (Sacramento) - Collins headed the Men's Swimming Team at ARC from 1995-97. In his first year, 1995, the team won the Conference Championship for the first time in 12 years, qualified 5 swimmers for the state championships and broke 2 school relay records. Collins was named the Bay Valley Conference Coach of the Year for the accomplishments. In 1996 the team repeated as Conference Champions.