“I began swimming with Dolphins of the Desert only a few short months before my Olympic qualifier race, but I benefited immensely from training with them. I approached Jeff Commings and Geoff Glaser because I was lacking the strength I had post-high school swimming. I was able to fall back on the base I had from years of swimming, but I was beginning to lose my edge in my triathlon competitions, and struggled to make the front pack. It was decided that I needed to readdress my strength in the swim, and each Sunday Jeff was on the pool deck giving me a great workout. We also did a lot of long continuous swims to directly increase my strength and endurance in the water. I saw massive improvements in those straight swims, and that translated to leading out of the water in the Olympic qualifying race. Being first out of the water allowed me to be in a great position to qualify for the Rio Olympics.”
Ben Kanute, 2016 U.S. Olympian in triathlon (top 15 in swim portion of Olympic triathlon)
“I taught and coached with Dolphins of the Desert for 3-1/2 years. Jeff Commings and Geoff Glaser hold the highest standards in private teaching for Tucson.”
Darian Townsend: Three-time Olympian (2004, 2008, 2012) and gold medalist (South Africa)
“I have had the honor of working side by side with Geoff Glaser for more than two years at a learn-to-swim school for inner-city kids. Geoff simply has a gift of being able to connect with kids and not only teach them how to swim, but… improve confidence and develop pride in accomplishing what others thought impossible. His knowledge of swimming combined with his enthusiastic personality is a rare find.”
Mark Henderson: 1996 Olympic gold medalist
“Jeff Commings has a wealth of knowledge about the aerobic and anaerobic systems of the human body and how to train them. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him at several swim clinics, and his ease with people and understanding of the sum total of material makes him an impressive teacher!”
BJ Bedford-Miller: 2000 Olympic gold medalist
“Geoff Glaser prepared my long-distance training program and coached me across the English Channel. He’s an outstanding coach and swimmer, and I couldn’t have successfully crossed without him!”
Steven Sakadales: English Channel Crossing, 2002
“I have been swimming with Geoff Glaser and the Swimming With the Dolphins program (since 2012), and steadily progressed from occasionally making a front swim group to consistently being up front at the big races. At the highest level of triathlon, this can be a critical difference between winning or losing, and Geoff’s extensive knowledge of open water swimming and proper stroke technique have been invaluable in my progression as an athlete.”
Ben Hoffman: 2014 Ironman World Championships Silver Medalist, 10-time Ironman regional champion (2010-2013, 2016), fourth place in 2016 Ironman World Championships (top American)
“Geoff Glaser and Jeff Commings are not only beautiful swimmers, but also great coaches and role models. I would strongly recommend them for you or for your child’s swimming needs.”
Allison Wagner: 1996 Olympic silver medalist
“Geoff Glaser gave me the honor to coach at Dolphins of the Desert after I was done with my college career. His passion, charisma, dedication, love for the sport and consistent pursuit of excellence are values that I will forever try to carry with me. Training at Dolphins of the Desert not only makes you a better athlete but a better person. I couldn’t be more proud to have been part of such great environment.”
Nicolas Nilo: Three-time Olympian for Brazil (2008, 2012, 2016) and multiple NCAA champion for the University of Arizona
“Geoff Glaser and Dolphins of the Desert have been invaluable assets in helping me reach my goal of swimming the Strait of Gibraltar. Geoff was with me through the entire process, helping me stay focused and get in shape for the swim. When training for such epic swims it is invaluable to have a seasoned coach like Geoff on your side.”
George Bradbury: First Arizonan to swim the Strait of Gibraltar solo, 2011; First to traverse length of Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
“I can’t imagine doing half of what I’ve accomplished without the vast knowledge and constant support of Geoff over the years. I am blessed for having Geoff as a coach, a friend, and a true role model.”
Stewart Goossens: Non-Wetsuit Division Alcatraz Crossing, 2006; Waikiki Rough Water, 2007; 10K Maui Relay Swim, 2008; Strait of Gibraltar Crossing, 2009.
Click to view Stewart’s interview about the Gibraltar swim on Swimming World’s webcast.