Tom Topolski

Coach T. has written articles appearing in national and international journals.   “Strength Training Tips for Coach and Swimmers”,   “How to Lower the Attrition Rate in Your Competitive Swimming Program”,   and “Faster Swimming with an Early Vertical Forearm Position in All Strokes” and others.  Tom recently (2007-2008) had two articles appearing in American Swimming Magazine dealing with swimming stroke analysis.

Coach Topolski started his tenure in the inner-city of Grand Rapids during the early 70’s, and after graduating from Central Michigan University (a co-captain). Tom moved to San Antonio where he said he was mentored by George Block, former American Swimming Coaches Association President.   Nominated as one of the Outstanding Young Men in San Antonio in the early 80's, he also coached a girl’s water polo team to three consecutive State titles.  He's coached the girl’s team at John Marshall H.S. and the team moved from an unranked swim team to a top 5 team before he left San Antonio in 1987.  

He's been coaching for over 30 years and has in the new millenium coached the East Kentwood Boy’s and Girl’s (Conference Championship) to a top ten finish in swimming. He's currently coaching an eight and under team for the Grand Rapids Gators,  then goes on to a middle school swimming team, and finishes his year with a summer high school technical clinic.     He has been helping coaches and swimmers putting on clinics and giving stroke analysis advice. Tom acquired a patent in June of 2004 for an Early Vertical Forearm training device called the “techpaddle” that is designed to help swimmers get faster.