Head Coach: RUSTY BERNSTEIN

Coach Rusty comes to Woodland Park having coached for over 35 years at club, high school, and  college levels. He is an ASCA Level 4 coach that has developed swimmers to the Sr. National, Jr. National, HS All-American, and Sectional levels.  While coaching in Europe, one of his swimmers also  participated in the 2000 Olympic Games representing the Netherlands. He also enjoyed coaching his high school boys' swim team to an upset, becoming MI State Champions and earning the MI Boys' Swimming Coach of the Year by Michigan HS Athletic Association.  And, yes, he has competitive experience as a club swimmer for ten years, as a collegiate swimmer for Minnesota State, and also as a swimmer at the Master's level.

 Coach Rusty's coaching philosophy beliefs include:

• Learning how to swim technically correct is the highest priority

• First place or last place, individual improvement is what’s most important

• The team is more important than one individual

• Enable all athletes to reach their full potential if that is their desire

• Listening, following direction, and effort are 3 crucial elements in athlete development

• Develop good human beings as well as good athletes

One of the things that he enjoys most is seeing the excitement and energy when swimmers hit those achievements they have worked so hard to accomplish. It is so rewarding!

You may also see him on the pickleball courts, as he's an avid player. He also loves to bowl and is quite good at it.  He is also father to four wonderful children.

He is very excited about the unique opportunity of leading Peak Swim Team in a fantastic direction!

To contact Coach Rusty, please email:[email protected]  or you may text or call him at: (505) 670-5275