A man in a red cap, sunglasses, and a white polo shirt standing at the edge of a swimming pool, smiling with his arms crossed and hand on his chin, with people and swimming lanes in the background.

Excellence in Coaching

With over four decades of experience in competitive swimming and coaching, Coach Mark has guided athletes across the full spectrum—from beginners learning foundational skills to Olympic-level performers.

His work spans age-group swimmers who have become champions in Hawaii, Masters athletes achieving national rankings and top age-group finishes, and triathletes competing at events such as Ironman World Championships, Ironman Canada, Honu, and Lavaman.

At every level, his coaching emphasizes not only technical excellence and performance but also the daily discipline and mindset required for continuous improvement.

He can get you started today.

Coaching Experience & Achievements

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Coaching Experience & Achievements *

    • 40+ years coaching excellence—from beginners to Olympic medalists

    • Program leadership: Academy Swim Club Hawaii • Academy Masters • University of Michigan • Punahou School

    • Hall of Fame swimmer & coach | Former Masters World Record holder

    • 6× Hawaii State Championship coach | Proven builder of high-performance programs and individuals

    • Photo of Coach Mark with his mentor, USA Olympic & University of Michigan Coach, Jon C. Urbanchek

  • Coaching Approach

    My coaching is grounded in a few core principles:

    • Technique is the foundation of all performance

    • Efficiency leads to sustainable speed and endurance

    • Training must be intentional and measurable

    • Confidence comes from preparation and understanding

  • Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame – Coach, Swimmer, Contributor, Class of 2025

    Port Huron (MI) Sports Hall of Fame – Swimmer, Class of 2022

  • Certifications & Memberships

    • American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) – Level V Certified Coach

    • Lifetime ASCA member since 1986

    • United States Master Swimming Certified Coach

    • USA Swimming Certified Coach since 1986

    • World Swimming Coaches Association Member

    Leadership

    • President – Hawaii Island Masters (2024–Present)

    • Vice Chair – Hawaiian Swimming (2020–2024)

    • President – Big Island Swimming (2020–2024)

  • High School Coaching

    • 6 HHSAA State Championship teams

    • 8 HHSAA Runner-up teams

    • First coach to win an HHSAA championship from an outer island

    • First coach to win championships at two different schools (Punahou & Hawaii Prep)

    • 25+ NISCA All-Americans

    • Numerous individual and relay state champions

    • Multiple state record holders

    Age-Group Coaching

    • Developed Hawaiian State Record Holders

    • Coached Hawaiian State Champions

    • Produced USA Swimming Scholar Athletes

    • Coach at the 1988 and 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials

    • USA Swimming Western Zone Coach – 1987

    Founded Academy Swim Club (1993), which remains one of the largest swim teams on Hawaii’s Big Island.

    Masters Coaching

    • Coached Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame swimmer Jim Budde

    • Coached Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame swimmer Harry Huffaker

      • Known for the Hawaiian Channel Triangle Crossing

    • Hosted ASCA Hawaii Clinic – 2024

    • Race Director – Hapuna Rough Water Swim (2011–2019)

  • Collegiate & National Competition

    • Big Ten Champion Swimmer – 1983, 1984

    • NCAA All-American – 1984

    • NCAA Championship Qualifier – 1982, ʻ83, ʻ84

    • U.S. Olympic Trials Competitor – 1984, 1988

    • U.S. Olympic Team Trials Qualifier – 1992

    • 1991 U.S. National Championships – 3rd place (400m Freestyle Relay)

    Age-Group & Open Water

    • Michigan State Champion & Record Holder Age-Group

    • National Age-Group Top 16 – 1975

    • Open ocean overall & age-group champion

    • 2024 U.S. Masters National Championships

      • 3rd – 100m Freestyle (60–64)

      • 5th – 50m Freestyle

      • 9th – 200m Freestyle

    • Hawaiian Masters Record Holder

    • Former World Record Holder

    • Multiple National Top-10 finishes

Get Started
A smiling man in a blue suit with a white shirt and dark polka-dot tie standing next to a framed black-and-white photograph and plaque at an indoor event.

A smiling man in a blue suit with a white shirt and dark polka-dot tie standing next to a framed black-and-white photograph and plaque at an indoor event.

Five men standing together at an outdoor swimming pool, smiling. The pool has swimming lanes with blue and white lane dividers, and there are trees and cloudy skies in the background.

Five men standing together at an outdoor swimming pool, smiling. The pool has swimming lanes with blue and white lane dividers, and there are trees and cloudy skies in the background.

A group of people on a stage at a Hawaii summit, wearing leis and standing in front of a sign that reads "Hawaii Summit." The group includes men and women, some in casual attire and others in formal or traditional Hawaiian clothing. Some individuals

A group of people on a stage at a Hawaii summit, wearing leis and standing in front of a sign that reads "Hawaii Summit." The group includes men and women, some in casual attire and others in formal or traditional Hawaiian clothing. Some individuals are holding or wearing flower leis and floral accessories.

Two men, one older with white hair and glasses, and one younger, shirtless, wearing goggles on his head, talking at an indoor pool.

Two men, one older with white hair and glasses, and one younger, shirtless, wearing goggles on his head, talking at an indoor pool.

Group of swimmers and coaches celebrating at the end of a swim race in a swimming pool, some making peace signs, with lane dividers and starting blocks visible.

Group of swimmers and coaches celebrating at the end of a swim race in a swimming pool, some making peace signs, with lane dividers and starting blocks visible.

Gold colored medal or plaque with black text that reads "Mark Noetzel Coach, Swimming, Race Administrator 2025" inside a black box with a white trim, placed on a wooden surface.

Gold colored medal or plaque with black text that reads "Mark Noetzel Coach, Swimming, Race Administrator 2025" inside a black box with a white trim, placed on a wooden surface.

An older man wearing a white cap and leis is standing next to a young man with a medal around his neck, sunglasses, and no shirt at an outdoor swimming pool, celebrating after a swim event.

An older man wearing a white cap and leis is standing next to a young man with a medal around his neck, sunglasses, and no shirt at an outdoor swimming pool, celebrating after a swim event.

A smiling man with a shaved head wearing a blue shirt with a yellow 'M' logo, standing outdoors in front of green foliage and trees.

A smiling man with a shaved head wearing a blue shirt with a yellow 'M' logo, standing outdoors in front of green foliage and trees.

Two people in swimming attire, one man wearing a white cap and a floral lei, and one woman wearing a red swim cap, smiling outdoors near a swimming pool with lane dividers.

Two people in swimming attire, one man wearing a white cap and a floral lei, and one woman wearing a red swim cap, smiling outdoors near a swimming pool with lane dividers.

Contact us

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