Meet the South Davis Masters Coaches
Our masters team is led by experienced US Masters Certified Coaches with long histories in swimming. They know all the secrets to help you move from novice to competitive swimmer. Whether you are looking to improve your overall fitness, PR your next race, or just trying to find a fun group of swimmers, South Davis Masters coaches can help you achieve your most lofty goals.
Aaron Norton
SDM Head Coach & Certified Masters Swim Coach (24 Years Experience)
Friday Mornings
Coach Aaron has over 24 years experience in competitive swimming. He began age-group level swimming in Wyoming State and swam in middle school, high school and the local club team of the Red Devil Aquatic Club. He also swam for the University of Utah Collegiate Team. Aaron graduated from University of Utah and after a decade break got back into the water in 2006 and has fell in love with swimming all over again!
When he is not coaching or in the pool, Aaron loves to work in his garden and just be outside in general. He also loves open water swimming.
Aaron is married to his wife Tracie and they are the proud parents of a wonderful teenager Spencer. Aaron is grateful to work with and coach South Davis Masters – some of the most amazing people in the world!
Kia Hodgson
Certified Masters Swim Coach (32 Years Experience)
Tuesday Evenings
Kia has enjoyed swimming ever since she began her first swimming lessons at age 3 at the Bountiful indoor pool. At age 5, she joined the Bountiful Synchronettes, followed by the Bountiful Sharks swimming team. She also swam and played water polo for Viewmont high school.
She began teaching swimming at age 14. She and her husband, Russel, have four grown children, all of whom swam competitively. She learned much from teaching them and helping coach their teams. She now loves coaching and swimming with the fabulous people that make up South Davis Masters.
Kirsten Greenwood
Certified Masters Swim Coach (28 Years Experience)
Monday Mornings
Kirsten loves to coach and enjoys coaching swimming. Kirsten has been coaching for over 28 years and has been teaching since she was 15 years old! She is incredibly gifted at teaching adults and children to swim and loves to focus on the basics.
Kirsten is a loving and compassionate coach and swimming is something that she is passionate about.
Kirsten is married to her sweetheart Tom and they are the proud parents of four wonderful children.
Tom Woods
Certified Masters Swim Coach (21 Years Experience)
Wednesday Mornings
Tom has had a lifelong passion for the water. He grew up in Bellevue, Washington where his father taught him to swim at age 2. From age 6 to 18 he swam competitively. At age 7 he discovered his true passion… Water polo. He earned High School First Team All-State Honors as team captain. He was a starter for Brigham Young University in college and played at the highest level in Water Polo Masters for more than 20 years. He competed in many Masters National Tournaments around the country and ultimately played for Seattle Masters in the 1998 Nike Masters Olympic Games in Portland, Oregon.
In 2014 Tom rediscovered competitive swimming thanks to triathlon training and the South Davis Masters team. He quickly set goals, qualified, and competed in the Masters National Championship swim meet. Now he competes at Nationals every year.
At South Davis Masters Tom coaches swim workouts and also leads our occasional Water Polo workouts. He enjoys giving our team a taste of what Water Polo is really like and how much fun it is. He also enjoys snow skiing and has competed in slalom water skiing.
Tom spent most of his career at Microsoft as a software engineer and strategic initiative leader. He currently works at Artemis Health as Director of Engineering and all kids are now grown and gone.
Stephanie Breinholt
Masters Swim Coach (34 Years Experience)
Thursday Evenings
Coach Steph swam for the West Valley Wave, the Hunter Aquatic Team, Hunter High School, and the University of Utah. After graduating from the U with a master’s in teaching and learning Steph went on to teach school, run a swim program and coach swimming.
She met her husband Jeff on her High School swim team and together they have 4 children who love the water as much as they do.
Steph’s nickname in college was “Smiley ” and no matter what comes her way be it a stroke, heart surgery, reoccurring autoimmune flare-ups she attributes swimming for getting her through it all and being able to smile about it! She is excited to become the newest member of the coaching staff at South Davis Masters and is thankful for the friendships, comradery, encouragement and strength that being a member of the team has brought her over the past 15 years.
Joe Linford
Masters Swim Coach (40 Years Experience)
Saturday Mornings
Joe has 40+ years of competitive swimming experience. Growing up in Cottonwoods Heights, he trained and competed with some of the fastest swimmers in the world. After high school Joe attended the University of Utah on a full ride scholarship. Joe’s senior year he was voted team captain. After a 14 year break from swimming Joe joined South Davis Masters and has loved every minute of it.
When Joe is not swimming he enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and riding his motorcycle.
Joe is married to his wife Liz. They have a combined 5 kids and are happier than ever now that most of them have moved out. Joe is grateful for swimming and the team family that is South Davis Masters.