Gunnar Bentz
Gunnar Bentz
QUICK STATS
- Birthday: January 3, 1996
- Hometown: Atlanta, GA
- Now Resides: Athens, GA
- College: Majoring in Management in Aerospace Studies at the University of Georgia
- Height: 6'5"
- Coach: Jack Bauerle
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio
- Gold medals in the 200m and 400m IM at the 2013 FINA World Junior Championships
- Silver (800m freestyle relay) and bronze (200 IM) medals the 2015 Pan Am games
- Member of the 2021 Olympic Swim Team in Tokyo
EXPERIENCE
How did Gunnar Bentz develop into one of the most well-rounded Olympic swimmers? Come to his Fitter and Faster clinics to find out!
Overnight success doesn’t exist in the sport of swimming, and Bentz describes his ascent as “slow and gradual”. Swimmers attending his clinics will see that paying attention to the little details of every stroke, particularly the elbow and hand positioning on their catch, will lead to big-time improvements in the long run.
I really like being able to see the change in someone’s stroke. It’s cool to see them actually latch on to advice you’ve given them, whether it’s as simple as ‘hey, have a higher elbow’. I’m all about the lightbulb moment!
Be prepared for these small but significant changes in your swimming after a clinic with Gunnar – all while having a blast! He is dedicated to communicating with kids on their developmental level and loves to become a kid himself. “I’ve dealt with a lot of middle schoolers and can ‘tame’ them,” he laughs. Gunnar serves as a mentor for inner city kids in Athens, Georgia, and thrives on their interaction: “Being able to see their bright faces and change some aspect of their lives with skills and knowledge is fulfilling.”
Gunnar is able to unleash kids’ innate creativity to experiment with different body positions in the water. “The biggest reason I see people plateau is that they continue to do the same warm-ups, the same nutrition plan and the same mental approach to training. You have to switch things up, because you’re constantly growing and developing.”
Making little goals each day to lead to accomplishing one overall goal for the semester or season, such as a new wrist position, is crucial for evolving in the water. Gunnar emphasizes the importance of a trusting coach-swimmer relationship for proper feedback along with this inquisitive experimentation to keep you on track. “The best coach is invested in you and cares about each swimmer’s individual stroke. You have to have that constructive criticism. It can be difficult at times, but you have to accept the pain and hard work, knowing it will shape you into a better person.”
Gunnar is excited to empower not only the swimmers but also their support systems in order to carry new skills into their successful future. Coaches, parents and swimmers alike will glean valuable advice that will continue their love of the sport.
I know how to relate to my audience, whether I’m talking to coaches or swimmers. If they incorporate one thing I taught them into training or coaching, they will become better. Fitter and Faster clinics make me excited, because these young kids will be the ones who improve USA swimming down the road!
One clinic with Gunnar will have your kids “gunning” for greatness in the best sport there is. Book your clinic today!
