Multisports Orange County (CA)

HEAD COACH

Michael Collins started Multisports Orange County in 2005. In addition, he has been the Irvine Novaquatics Head Masters Coach since November 2000. He has an extensive background in coaching all ages and abilities. Collins has competed in triathlons since 1984, including as a professional from 1988-1993. He has personal best times of 1:48 for Olympic Distance, 4:28 for Half Ironman Distance, and 9:48 for Ironman Distance (Hawaii 91). He was ranked in the top 10 in the national pro circuit in 1989 & 1990.

Collins continues to compete as a top age group competitor mostly in Sprint and Olympic Distance races, with an occasional Half Ironman. He finished 3rd at the 2013 ITU World Sprint Triathlon Championships  (45-49) and 4th at the 2009 ITU World Sprint Triathlon Championships in Perth (40-44), 5th at the 2004 ITU World Triathlon Championships in Portugal (35-39), and was the overall amateur 2002 ITU World Aquathlon Champion in Cancun. He has won the Catalina Sprint Triathon overall 2 times (90 & 91) and finished in the top 3 on 4 other occasions. In addition to triathlons he continues to compete in running events, swimming events (both in the pool and open water), and road & mountain cycling.

Collins is also a well known author on endurance sports technique and training. His articles have appeared in SWIM magazine, Swimming Technique, TRIATHLETE magazine, Triathlon Today, American Swimming, and many other national publications. Collins travels around the country to coach swimming, triathlon, and running clinics. Although his main background was in swimming, he has taken many of the concepts used in swimming technique, drills, and interval training and applied them to running and cycling as well.

Coach Collins' strengths and specialties as a coach include:

* Educating coaches and athletes on the latest teaching and training methods.
* Teaching technique through the use of video equipment.
* Communication with coaches and athletes online. 
* Motivating athletes of all abilities to perform to their potential.
* Teaching inexperienced athletes more efficiency.
* Teaching pacing strategy and tactics for racing.
* Triathlon race preparation.

COACHING EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

Irvine Novaquatics (NOVA) - Head Master's Coach and Age Group Technique Coach. Collins has been with the Nova's since Nov 2000. His Masters team is one of the top 3 competitive programs in Southern California and he has done stroke technique work with several of the top age group and high school swimmers in the area.

EQUINOX Sports Clubs - Collins oversees the Aquatic and Triathlon Programing for Orange County and is based out of EQUINOX Irvine. Additionally, Collins co-created the EQX H2O Signature Swimming program used by EQUINOX on a national scale.

IRONMAN U - Coach and Subject Mater Expert. Collins was a consultant for the Swimming Portion of the coaching program.

Fit Institute SlowTwitch (F.I.S.T.) - Collins is a FIST Certified Triathlon Bike Position Fitter using the system created by the inventor of the triathlon specific bike, Dan Empfield. Collins does bike fit, technique & posture evaluations in conjunction with  

Pose Method Running Coach - Level 4 Certified Coach (top level). Coach Collins has been practicing Pose Method running since 1997 when he worked with Dr. Romanov at a USAT Jr. Development Camp in Roswell, NM. Since then he has been working to master the principles in his own running as well as with the athletes he coaches. He has continued to work closely with Dr. Romanov to help refine the teaching method and improve the clinic experience. 

CrossFit.com - Certified Trainer Level 1 Trainer and presentor at CrossFit Certification Clinics. See clips of some of his presentations in the Exercises & Demos area (Under Run & Swim)

Mater Dei High School Triathlon Club - (2012-Present) Collins helped novice HS athletes develop into highly competive triathletes and placed 2nd at the 2014 HS Nationals, and 1st at the 2015 HS Nationals. Several athletes have moved on to compete successfully at the collegiate club level.

Mater Dei High School Cross Country - (2012 & 2013) Assistant Coach to both boys and girls programs. Specializing in running technique, video analysis, strength training for runners, and racing strategy

 Mater Dei High School Swim Team - (2010 & 2011) Head Coach for both the girls. Helped swimmers set several team records and finish as a top 10 team at CIF Division 1.

Multisports.com - Collins is one of the online coaches for the Multipsort.com coaches network which includes Paula Newby Fraiser, Heather Fuhr, Roch Frey, Paul Huddle, Jimmy Ricitello, Greg Welch and other big names in the triathlon world. Collins specializes in programs for sprint and Olympic distance racing. 

United States Masters Swimming (USMS) - USMS Coach of the Year (1990) National Coaches Committee Chair (1992-1996, 2000-2002) FINA World Championships USMS Team Coach (2000, 2002, & 2008). USMS Olympic Training Center Camp Coach (1999, 2000, & 2004) Director of over 10 USMS Mentor Coach & Swimmer Clinics.

USA Triathlon (USAT) - Level I Certified coach Has worked as a guest coach at Jr. Development and Elite Development camps at the Olympic Training Center. 

For info on upcoming clinics or training programs go to the events page HERE

 Email Coach Mike HERE with any specific questions related to the program or coaching.