VERO BEACH — Saint Edward’s School has announced the appointment of Mr. Gavin Ross as full time Director of Aquatics, overseeing all of the School’s Aquatics Programs, the Swimming teams and the operation and management of the Becker Pool Aquatics Complex.
Coach Ross is a highly qualified mentor, consultant, manager, coach and teacher with more than 25 years of aquatics experience. Since September 1984 Ross has served as school coach, age group coach, senior coach, tri-athlete and masters swim coach with a number of aquatics clubs in South Africa including: Tuks Swimming, Myrmidons, Centurion Swimming Club, Diadora Aquatics, Ridge Seals Aquatics Club and the University of Pretoria Swim Club. In addition to an extensive coaching and training background, Ross has managed year-round swim training programs, aquatics competitions, swimmer entries to regional, national and international meets, general club activities and tasks, as well as regional, national and international swim clinics and camps.
Gavin has successfully built and developed 3 swim programs to ultimately reach both international and national achievements such as Commonwealth Games finalists, Senior Africa Championship medalists, Junior Africa Championship medalists, Para-Olympic Games finalists Pan Pacific World Schools Games medalists.
Gavin was raised and educated in South Africa. While attending the University of Pretoria he earned his B.A. as well as a Higher Education Diploma. He earned a Diploma in Business management from Damelin College. He was awarded Swimming South Africa Junior Coach of the year after winning the most medals at the South African Junior Nationals as well as Head Coach of the Junior South African Team for having the most swimmers’ on the team. Other achievements include 9 senior national medalists, 10 South African age group records (including 3 relays) and 31 junior national age group titles (including 5 relays).
With a campus situated between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, Saint Edward’s School is ideally situated to offer a superior aquatics program for the Treasure Coast region. At each level of the Saint Edward’s Aquatics program, swimmers are instructed to strive for excellence. The philosophy of excellence as a goal is consistent throughout the program for all swimmers, novices through Olympians. The following levels of programs are available to all area swimmers ages 6 – 60.
MASTER/TRIATHLON Level is for all swimmers ages 12 and over wanting to prepare and compete in the swim leg of a triathlon as well as master swimmers wanting to train and compete in Masters Swimming Meets.
SILVER Level is for the highly qualified swimmer, ages 11 and over, who have demonstrated advanced training and competitive skills and are able to participate in extensive practices including pool work, dry-land, gym work and flexibility.
BLUE Level is for advanced swimmers, ages 7-18, who have demonstrated the maturity and skill level to participate in practices that include pool work, dry-land and flexibility.
WHITE Level is for the novice swimmer to get an introduction into competitive training and swimming. Emphasis is on stroke and skill development in a fun and challenging atmosphere.
Coach Ross will primarily focus on high performance technical skills as well as athlete conditioning skills required during all year round training and competition. He will coach Blue, Silver, Varsity and Masters/Triathlon Levels. He will oversee swim lessons and serve as technical consultant to the White Level.
Coach Pam Meredith and her team of highly qualified instructors will continue their primary focus on development of swimming skills by teaching learn-to-swim, beginner classes. Coach Meredith will serve as Head Coach on White Level. Highly experienced Coach Meredith will also serve in capacity of assistant Coach on Blue Level.
Gavin and his wife Lauren have three children. He enjoys traveling with his family, watching international sport, photography, chess, hiking, triathlon, road running and competes as a master swimmer.