Darian Townsend, Olympic Champion, Tabbed As Head Coach Of Phoenix Swim Club

Darian Townsend, Olympic Champion, Tabbed As Head Coach Of Phoenix Swim Club

The Phoenix Swim Club (PSC), which has a rich history in the sport, is turning to an Olympic champion as its next coach. Effective October 4, Darian Townsend will assume the head-coaching role for the club. Townsend has been the head coach and president of the Westside Silver Fins since 2017.

Townsend is best known for being a member of the South African 400-meter freestyle relay that won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Townsend, who was a standout at the University of Arizona, was joined on that relay by Roland Schoeman, Lyndon Ferns and Ryk Neethling. Additionally, Townsend was an eight-time NCAA champion, three-time United States national champion and 12-time South African titlist.

While Townsend once represented South Africa in international competition, he later became an American citizen and became a United States National Team member. He also set Masters world records and demonstrated impressive range, as an elite freestyler and performer in the individual medley.

In his leadership roles with the Westside Silver Fins, Townsend helped the team’s membership grow by more than 30% and helped the squad move from a USA Swimming Bronze-Medal team to earning Silver-Medal recognition. Townsend has twice been names Arizona Swimming Senior Coach of the Year and has worked with various levels of swimmers.

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