Wave Aquatics Head Coach Named SwimStrong Dryland Age Group Coach of the Year

Coach Chad Winkle

Wave Aquatics’ Head Coach, Chad Williams, has been named SwimStrong Dryland’s 2025 Age Group Coach of the Year. Coach Chad was selected from 20 finalists representing clubs across the country, following more than 21,000 votes in the preliminary round.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to receive the SwimStrong Age Group Coach of the Year. I view this award as a full staff award, because I am not the only one on deck coaching our athletes. Congratulations and thank you to our Coaching Staff for their hard work,” says Coach Chad.

SwimStrong Dryland partners with club and collegiate swim teams nationwide, supporting competitive swimmers through comprehensive strength training, nutrition, and wellness programs. The Coach of the Year award, voted on by the SwimStrong Dryland community, recognizes the hard work, passion, and character of coaches who help athletes achieve excellence.

Chad also credited Wave swimmers for the honor: “I also am grateful for the athletes on our team who put in the hard work and time to be successful in the pool. I appreciate all the parents on the team who trust our staff with their athletes and who support our team. This is a full team award, so congrats to the whole of Wave!”

Coach Chad currently leads Wave’s Senior Prep and Age Group 1 teams, in addition to serving as Head Coach for the organization. He has been instrumental in the success of Wave Aquatics’ swim team, growing the program to more than 500 athletes and helping establish the club as one of the premier teams in Pacific Northwest Swimming and USA Swimming.

Learn more about Wave Aquatics’ swim team at www.waveaquatics.org. Learn more about SwimStrong Dryland at www.swimstrongdryland.com.