Ivan Batsanov
Head Coach
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Ivan Batsanov is coach of the Senior and Gold Group of Iolani Swim Club and is also the 'Iolani Masters Coach. A Bulgarian National Team member, Batsanov joined the coaching staff in 2011 and has been working with all age groups since then. Batsanov`s experience as a coach started back in 2009 when his collegiate career was over. After a couple of years coaching in Bulgaria, Batsanov decided to move to Hawaii and train and work with Coach Bobby Brewer at ‘Iolani Swim Club.
Collegiately, Batsanov swam for National Sports Academy of Bulgaria and he has earned a Bachelor degree in Coaching and Sports Management and a Master`s degree in the field of High Performance Swimming and Coaching.
A native of Sofia, Bulgaria Batsanov started swimming at the age of 8. So far, he has a career total of over 80 medals from national and international competitions including individual and relay events. His specialties are the shorter races, 50 to 200 meters in length freestyle. Ivan Batsanov has been part of Bulgarian National Swim Team for a period of 6 years and as well part of the country`s Olympic and European Junior Championship programs in 2004.
Batsanov’s coaching philosophy focuses on hard work both in and out of the pool. His coaching approach aims at perfect stoke technique that will definitely lead to the best possible race preparation. His practices are structured towards the individual goals of each and every swimmer on the team and stress on being ready for a race on daily basis.
Matt Hiramoto
Assistant Coach - Bronze Group
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Originally from Volcano on the Big Island, Matt Hiramoto is coaching the very young swimmers in our Bronze Group. Matt started swimming with the Hawaii Swim Club and for Waiakea High School. After receiving a B.A. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Matt moved up to Oahu to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Taking advantage of the sunny weather and warm water beaches, Matt has found interest to complete various open water swims, triathlons, and the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii. When not surfing, Matt is currently the Environmental & Health Safety Specialist at the UH Cancer Center overseeing all aspects of lab and building safety/compliance. At ‘Iolani Swim Club Matt is not only coaching the Bronze Group, but also swimming with 'Iolani Masters during his free time.
Kimberly T Guevara
Assistant Coach - Bronze Group
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Coach Kimi is the newest addition to the 'Iolani Swim Club (ISC)
coaching ohana and will be working with our youngest swimmers in
Bronze Group. She is a competitive swimmer and has been involved
with swimming for more than 10 years. Coach Kimi has assisted
for the 'Iolani School summer swim programs and year-round swim
lessons. Her possitive and enthusiastic attitude, along with her
knowledge about the sport of swimming, make her a great addition to
the ISC coaching staff. Her favorite stroke is
freestyle!
Angel Rodriguez
Assistant Coach - Bronze Group
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Coach Angel is the newest addition to 'Iolani Swim Club Coaching
Staff. Angel is originally from British Columbia, Canada and he
is currently pursuing his BA at University of Hawaii. Further,
he has been part of our Senior Group for a few years now. Coach
Angel will be asissting with our Bronze Group and wil
be working with our youngest swimmers. More about Coach
Angel coming soon!
Leighton Miyake
Assistant Coach - Silver II Group
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Leighton Miyake is the coach of the Silver II group. This group
focuses on developing stroke skills and building speed, strength
and endurance on a competitive level. Coach L also helps his
swimmers develop confidence and a strong mindset to deal with the
ups and downs of competitive swimming and in life as well. He began
his coaching career in 1992 under the tutelage of Coach Albert Minn
of Aulea SC. It was there that Coach Leighton developed a deep
affinity for working with young swimmers. He joined Iolani SC
during the 2017-2018 season and had the opportunity to coach
Iolani’s JV swim team in 2018-2019. He recently accompanied
Team Hawaii to WAGZ Championships in Gresham OR. as an assistant
coach for the 10 & under group. His swim philosophy is based on
the Japanese word “Kaizen” which means “always
moving forward”, “continuously improving”. He
says that “Kaizen” is something that should be strived
for daily, in all that you do. His thought is that when you believe
in yourself, always try your best and persevere, you will be
successful in swimming and in life.
Matt Velasco
Assistant Coach - Silver & Gold Groups
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Coach Matt Velasco is assiting
'Iolani Swim Club for our Gold Group. He grew up in
Honolulu, Hawaii where he started competitive swimming at the age
of 11 for Punahou Aquatics and later moved to Rainbow Aquatics. He
excelled in sprint events but mainly butterfly and backstroke
events.
He started his coaching career in
2011 with the Kalani High School Varsity swim team and Sunshine
Aquatics. During 2013 he started coaching at Splash Aquatics where
he coached the 10-14 year old swimmers and eventually coached the
Senior Group.
He has helped his swimmers to
achieve success at the Age Group Regional, Senior Sectional,
Futures, and Junior National level. Some of his kids hold OIA
records in individual and relay events with one swimmer achieving
two first place finishes at the high school state championship
meet.
Peter Hursty
Assistant Coach
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Peter Hursty absolutely loves coaching and is committed to keeping kids into swimming for the long term. He believes that: “Swimming got to be fun to keep kids into it for long haul”. At 'Iolani Swim Club Peter helps with the Silver Group and he is very inolved with the ILH team during the high school swim season.
Originally from Massachusetts, Peter swam collegiately for University of Hawaii in 1991-1994. Further, he was also UH Coaches Award Recipient. Peter’s coaching experience includes being the Head Swim Coach of Oahu Club Swim Team in 1996-2001 and also Head Masters Swim Coach of Oahu Club Masters Team in 1996-2001.
Further, Peter is very active and involved in numerous open water and triathlon events. Since 1997 he has been holding the position of Director and Founder of HR training Program specializing in Open water/Triathlon Training Programs.
Peter’s coaching achievements includes coaching numerous Age Group State Champions/Record holders. Junior/Senior national level and even NCAA DIV 1 All American swimmers. He was also the coach of Numerous Masters National Champions.
Coach Peter’s personal athletic accomplishments include:
Professional triathlete:
• 4 Time Tinman Triathlon Champion (record holder) 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
• 15th overall at Xterra Triathlon World Championships
• Top 20 overall American at IRONMAN world championships
Paddle boarding:
• Top 15 at Molokai to Oahu World Championships
• 5th overall at Catalina Classic Paddleboard Championships
Swimming:
• 2 times national Masters Champion 200/500 free in 2013
• Hawaii State Masters Record Holder
• Numerous top 3 and overall win of swims at The North Shore Swim Series
• Still currently active swimming
