Cruzer Coaches
Jimmy Bynum has been a swim coach in the Austin area for 35 years and has worked with swimmers of all ages and abilities, ranging from private lessons (swimmers 4 to 84 years old) to heading several masters swim programs and serving as the head coach of year-round USA Swimming teams. His experience includes coaching swimmers with physical and cognitive challenges and disabilities. Jimmy's approach is founded on the philosophy of treating swimmers with kindness and respect while guiding them to develop lifelong fitness skills and maximize their athletic potential.
Jimmy has coached swimmers that have achieved many varying goals such as over 20 swimmers are swimming in the college ranks, including Virginia, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M, Rice, Trinity, Cal-Tech, Duke, and American. Additionally, numerous swimmers achieved UIL and TAAPS High School State Championships and State Championship (TAGS) as age-group swimmers. Coach Jimmy has also had five different summer league teams reach the top of their league championships and he has oached 50 Kona qualifiers, 3 English Channel swimmers, and over 400 cancer survivors.
Coach Chase Alexander Thompson is a passionate and ambitious coach and swimmer with his eyes set on positively impacting the sport of swimming. Chase has been coaching for many years and has been able to work with all age groups. He enjoys working with swimmers on correct stroke technique, proper underwater technique, overall strength and agility, etc. Chase has been able to see numerous successes all the way from the fun and enjoyment of his swimmers to watching them become State Champions.
Coco is a junior at Austin High School, a member of the National Honor Society and PALS program. Coco started her swimming at 5 years old with her neighborhood team, where she still holds over 10 records. At age 10 she joined Coach Jimmy and started her career as a year round club swimmer. Coco has made finals in TAGS, STAG and the UIL Regional Championships. Her favorite part of swimming are the relationships with her teammates and coaches. Especially out of town meets!
Coco was an apprentice coach with her neighborhood team for 2 years before starting with the Cruzers. Coach Coco looks forward to the new season sharing all she has leaned with her swimmers through practice and private lessons. In her spare time Coco has been visiting Colleges, studying for the ACT and hanging with friends. She also loves to babysit.
Clyde Cowan is a dedicated and experienced swimmer who loves to share his passion for the sport. Clyde is a junior at Austin High School, Clyde is a committed member of the high school swim team and competes at the club level with Austin Swim Club. His hard work earned him a spot on the Austin High School Districts and Regionals team, where he has made finals in relay events. With two years of experience as a lifeguard, Clyde understands the seriousness of water safety and helping young swimmers build confidence in the water. He loves teaching kids the basic fundamentals of swimming, helping them improve their technique, and most importantly keeping things fun!
Erin has over twenty years of experience in Health & Fitness Management and coaching with a solid history of leadership, customer relations, and program development in the health and wellness industry.
Erin comes to the Club most recently from the executive position of Director of Sales for BodySpec. Prior to that she has been Owner of East End Fitness, Instructor at The College of Healthcare Professionals Personal Training program, and Fitness Director at Westwood Country Club. Erin is coming back to her passion in Aquatics. She coached competitive swimming for USA sanctioned teams at Weiss and Weiss Aquatics and served as a USA Masters swim coach at Circle C Aquatics.
Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Erin grew up a competitive swimmer and later in life turned to distance running, which she continues to enjoy both swimming and running. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Fitness. Outside of work, Erin keeps busy chasing after her 3 children, dog, cat and 6 chickens.