Gary “Swampy” Bouchard – Barefoot Water Skiing’s “Coach of Champions”

Swampy Bouchard has coached the best barefoot water skiers in the world for decades, including Keith St. Onge, David Small, Ben Groen, Ashleigh Stebbeings, Jackson Gerard, Jason Lee, Lexi McCauley, and Noah Kinnaman. His passion and innovative training techniques have created generations of champions through his work at the World Barefoot Center and as a USA Team Coach.

All six current World Records in the Open division were set by athletes training under Swampy at the time they set the record. Athletes coached by Swampy also hold the six current World Records in the Junior division, three of the six current World Records in the Senior division, and of the 24 world records across the Junior, U23, Open, and Senior divisions, athletes coached by Swampy currently hold 14.

“Swampy is arguably the number one coach and trainer who has brought more athletes to the top rankings list in the nation and the world rankings list, says Hall of Famer Keith St. Onge. “Swampy has made a massive impact on the sport of barefoot water skiing and the sport is grateful to have such a leader for more than 44 years!”

Swampy has also been innovative in teaching skiers his method of surface turns, which makes them faster and smoother so they can score higher in tricks. He is a coach and a leader in making barefoot water skiers the best competitors they can be.