12 Stream Head Coach

Jan Bidrman

Jan Bidrman is the Head Coach of UCSC’s 12 Stream Program.

Jan’s key to success is creating an engaging environment where fast swimming is fun swimming. With his over 30 years of experience, he understands that an emphasis on great technique and keeping swimmers excited are essential for achieving personal excellence.

Jan is a two-time Olympian, selected as part of Sweden's National Team for the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games. While still an active swimmer, he attended the University of Nebraska, where he completed a Master’s in Economics and served as a graduate assistant and assistant coach.

From 1997 to 2014, Jan acted as Head Coach for the University of Calgary National Swimming Centre and Calgary Academy for Swimming Excellence. He has been part of the coaching staff for five Olympic Games – with South Africa’s staff in 1996, and as part of Canada’s staff in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012, coaching numerous Olympic and World Championship medalists over the years.

As a level 4 coach, Jan has shared his knowledge and expertise in numerous roles over the years. From 2008 to 2014, Jan was Swim Alberta’s High Performance Coach. From 2014 to 2016, Jan joined UCSC’s Age Group Coaching Staff while acting as a mentor to other Dino staff. Jan spent three years as Head Age Group Coach for the Lincoln Select Swim Club in Nebraska before returning to UCSC’s Coaching Staff in 2019.
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Jan has been named the Canadian Swim Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year six times and is a 2024 CSCA Hall of Fame Inductee.