Armada Head Age Group Coach Don Garman

        Coach Garman's legendary coaching career is well known in Southern California where he has helped hundreds of young people achieve their swimming dreams. For over 40 years, Garman coached swimmers have consistently competed in swim finals at age group invitationals and championships including the Winter and Summer Age Group Championships as well as Spring and Summer Junior Olympics.

        Swimmers coached by coach Garman often go on to the highest levels of senior swimming because of the strong fundamentals his swimmers posses. “I love getting Garman swimmers,” notes the Armada National Group coach, Rick Shipherd, “because I know they will be very motivated swimmers ready for the next level of their swimming development.”

     Garman swimmers have set numerous Southern California Swimming (SCS) records. He has coached more top 16 nationally ranked swimmers than any other active coach in Southern California and was the age group coach for Olympian Jill Sterkel.  When swimmers are asked what they appreciated most about Coach Garman, they quickly remember how fun he made swimming.

     “Coach Don always made sure we had fun,” reminisces former swimmer and SCS record holder Susan Gilliam. “The social aspect of swimming is very important, especially for girls,” continues Gilliam, “and Coach Don understood this better than most coaches. Some swimmers would keep quiet about their up coming birthdays hoping they could remain in Don's group a little longer.”