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Coaching Staff

Head Senior Coach - Dan Haines

This is Dan's 35th year in competitive swimming. Competing since the age of five and coaching in virtually every arena, from Summer league to NCAA, he has overseen the development of all levels of ability, from beginners to Olympic Trial qualifiers. A gifted teacher and an expert in stroke mechanics, Dan brings a broad range of knowledge and expertise to the club. He is currently living in Annapolis where he works as an intern architect.

Head Age Group Coach - Dave Hardy

Now in the second year of his second stint with FGAC, Dave’s coaching experience spans 10 years, working 8 years within Montgomery County Swim League and 3 years during the fall, winter and spring months for the highly successful Rio Salado swim team in Tempe, Arizona.

Dave began swimming competitively in the Prince Mont Swim League, then on a year round basis with RMSC at the age of 10, where he swam at MLK Swim Center. Later, under coach Haines and ex-FGAC coach Rob Burgholzer, he completed his age group career at Olney Swim Center, while also competing for DeMatha High School. He went on to swim for the University of Delaware, where he served as captain for the swim team his senior year and graduated with a degree in hotel restaurant management. A breaststroke specialist out of high school, he branched out into distance freestyle and IM while at Delaware.

Coach Hardy’s broad experience and exposure to a wide spectrum of methods and philosophies defines his unique approach to coaching, one which brings together elements of old school and new, into a progressive and versatile mix that serves perfectly our holistic approach to athletic development. As well as a full time coach for FGAC, he is currently the general manager for Darnestown Swim and Racquet Club in Darnestown, MD.

Assistant Coach - Robb Smith
Robb is a longtime swimmer and coach who has previously worked with Coach Haines as a swimmer and as a coach. He was the successor to Dan at the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach and the Gloucester County Institute of Technology in Sewell, NJ.

Beyond his extensive experience coaching at the summer league, high school, YMCA and age group levels, Robb brings a level of creativity and enthusiasm that can only come from a genuine love of the sport.

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