GAVIN ALLAN ROSS

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BIOGRAPHY

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At age 19, Gavin started coaching high school swimming; rugby and cross country at his Alma Mata, Pretoria Boys High School, this while attending university classes.

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Upon graduating from the University of Pretoria, with majors in human movement science, psychology and mathematics, Gavin progressed to add age group club swimming and triathlon to his coaching profile. Within six years of coaching at this level; national and international swimmers as well as triathlete’s emerged from his coaching, guidance and mentorship.

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Gavin coached swimmers to represent South Africa at the World Youth Games, World Student Games, Africa Championship and Commonwealth Games, and on route attained 9 senior national medalists, 8 national age group records, 31 junior national age group titles, which all ultimately resulting in international senior and junior rankings. Gavin also practiced with; competed against at ultra-distance triathlons; and coached triathletes and masters swimmers to compete at international championships.

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Gavin’s greatest strength is initiating, compiling, growing and establishing high performance age group swimming programs, as achieved with Ridge Seals Aquatics, Diadora Aquatics, Myrmidons and some programs at TUKS swimming, this, while coaching in South Africa. Since coaching in Florida for the past 5 years Gavin achieved this very successfully with Saint Edward’s Aquatics (SEA), producing 6 individual and 3 relay team state qualifiers, as well as a senior boys team placing top 15 in the boys category at the Florida senior championships in 2015, this all whilst steadily growing the quantity and quality of his program.

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Gavin was awarded Swimming South Africa junior coach of the year in 2000, after his team had won the most medals at the South African junior national championships. Gavin was named head coach of the junior South African team competing against Brazil in 2000 and 2001, this after having the most swimmers selected on the team.

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After presenting ‘A successful club program from Zero’ at the Swim South Africa Coaches Conference in 2000, Gavin had, and continues to inspire young coaches and his former swimmers to go on and become successful coaches and mentors, globally.

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Gavin is CPR and Safety Training certified as prescribed by USA Swimming

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Gavin still actively competes as a nationally ranked master’s swimmer; competes in 5K, 10K and half marathon runs; mile and 5K open water swims and sprint triathlons.

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Gavin is married to Tracy who enjoys supporting him at all these events, and they both thoroughly enjoy traveling to; visiting and particularly enjoy indulging in the cultural offerings at the particular event destinations.

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Gavin proudly has 6 children; stepchildren Whitt, Spencer and Lily, all currently studying at Indian River State College; Allan, a sophomore at Saint Edward’s School; and Sarah and Katie who attend St. Paulus Primary School in Pretoria, South Africa.