Coaching Staff
Sea Dragons have had an outstanding group of coaches over the years.
While their skills are diverse, they share a talent for getting the best out of each
swimmer. Our members benefit from the encouragement and inspiration provided by these
truly excellent individuals. (If you wish to speak to any coach please use email as
much as possible).
Use your mouse to roll-over each coach for more info.
 
Head Coach
Rich Parton |
 
Assistant
Jim Wishart |
 
Assistant
Paul Buckner |
 
Assistant
Bryan Christiansen |
Rich Parton rparton@rochester.rr.com
Coach Rich joined Sea Dragons in July 2006. Originally from Syracuse,
he once swam for a state powerhouse - Liverpool High. A multiple conference finalist,
and 2-time Captain at SUNY Potsdam (1992), Coach Rich has worked at every level of swimming,
from YMCA to NCAA, Country Club to High School.
As both Athlete and Coach, Rich has been involved with Niagara District
Swimming since 1985. He's had the experience of coaching High School State Champion teams,
Junior National Qualifiers, National Top 16 Qualifiers, and Niagara District Record Holders.
He's traveled throughout the region as a coach of the Empire State Games and Niagara District
Zone All-Star Teams. Rich is very excited about the potential of every swimmer and looks
forward to the success of each individual on our team.
Jim Wishart jim_wishart@yahoo.com
Coach Jim has been a Sea Dragons Coach for more than 15 years. In fact,
he competed as a Sea Dragon in High School. His favorite event is a close one that pushes
a swimmer to a best time. What he enjoys most about swimming is the investment: watching
the investment of time, effort and practices come together to produce a best time. In
addition to swimming, Jim enjoys spending time with his family.
Paul Buckner prbuckner@gmail.com
Paul started coaching with the Sea Dragons in September 2007 and shares a strong background of coaching experience with the team. Currently, Paul is a Penfield JV/Varsity Assistant Coach for the Girls and Boys HS swim teams and previously coached the Eastridge Modified Boys. Residing in East Rochester Paul attended the University of Delaware and is another local swimmer assisting the Sea Dragons. He was a 4 year Varsity and All-County swimmer for Penfield/East Rochester and is now an aspiring tri-athlete. Coach Paul believes there is no such thing as a lucky swim and enjoys seeing the rewards of a swimmer’s hard work and improvement through practice being converted into best times at meets.
Bryan Christiansen christiansenbc@gmail.com
A Penfield resident, Bryan returns to the Sea Dragons where he was swimmer himself and started coaching with the Sea Dragons in July 2008. A recent graduate from Hiram College in Ohio where he was a 3-year Varsity Captain, Bryan brings a wealth of swimming accomplishments to the club. He is a former Penfield Academic All-American and a Hiram College MVP and team record holder. Coach Bryan’s best reward as a coach is when a swimmer is proud of the work he or she has done and it shows on his or her face.