Marc A Detraz
Coach
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Originally from the French Alps, Marc began
swimming competitively for a summer league team at the age of 9. At
15, he began swimming year-round when he was recruited to swim
in the regional training center with national and international
level athletes and was coached by Marc Begotti.
As a swimmer Marc specialized in sprint freestyle events, but
developed an affinity for open water swims and eventually for
triathlons. At Grenoble University, Marc swam competitively for
three years while studying Physical Education.
Marc was a Physical Education instructor during his
French military service before moving to Mill Valley in
1991. He spent a few year teaching swimming at the Marin JCC with
Jeff Kamler and got his first local coaching job with the
Rolling Hills Stingrays, a Marin Swim League team.
Marc began coaching the Marlins in 1994, when the team belonged to
the Marin Swim League. With the help of Coach Sonia Nimtz, he
quickly turned the team around by focusing primarily on
technique.
In July 2000, Marc received the Marin
Swim League’s Coach of the Year Award and redesigned the
Rafael Racquet Club Marlins to a year-round United States Swimming
program. Now called the Pacific Coast Marlins, the team continues
to succeed under Marc’s dedication and coaching
philosophy.
Jeff A Kamler
Coach
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Jeff has been a Marin County swimmer for more than four decades.
With the San Rafael Swim Club (Coach Larry Lack), Jeff learned
about age-group competition as a 6 & under. From the age of 11,
under the training of Don Swartz (who created the powerhouse Marin
Aquatic Club) Jeff competed regionally and nationally in the
Breaststroke and Individual Medley events, qualifying for Junior
Olympics in 1969, 1974 and 1975.
While at San Rafael High School, Jeff played Water Polo in the fall
and swam in the spring. Jeff swam breaststroke on the 200 Medley
Relay which set a National High School record in 1975 (The school
record still stands 33 years later!).
Jeff’s Collegiate swimming was at Stanford University, where
he was a
1976 Pac-8 finalist in the 100 Breast, and consolation finalist in
the 200 Breast and 200 IM. Later that spring, he competed in the
Senior National Championships in the 200 IM and the 100 & 200
Breaststroke, narrowly missing Olympic Trials Qualifying Time
Standards.
As a 40th birthday celebration, Jeff competed in the US Masters
Swimming where he earned a National Top Ten Ranking in three (3)
long course events (50 Breast, 100 and 200 IM). Jeff continues to
enjoy swimming 5 times a week (about 3500 yds. per day) and still
swims relatively fast (for a Dad)!
Jeff’s aquatics coaching/teaching history includes three
years with University High School in San Francisco, a one year
startup (San Francisco City Swim club at the old Presidio pool),
eight seasons developing educational & aquatic training
programs for the Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael (Age
Group with Coach Marc Detraz, Swim Camp & Clinic, and US
Masters), and more than 20 years as an independent teacher, trainer
and coach.
Jeff received a B.A. degree in Human Biology from Stanford
University, and an M.A. degree in Bio-Behavioral Health Psychology
from UCSF Medical Center. His professional training includes
expertise in rehabilitation fitness, biomechanics & exercise,
and educating individuals on maximizing human potential.
Jeff is delighted to be returning to active coaching with Marc and
the Marlins.
