Team Blaze Coaches:

Preston Lewis

I’m Coach Preston.  I’ve been a long time member of Team Blaze where I developed my swimming skills and love for open water swimming.  I’m a certified US Masters Swim coach and I am passionate about the Art and Science of swimming.  I have coached swimmers of all levels from beginners with fear of the water to competitive athletes.  Athletes at Team Blaze often tell me the Swim is the most intimidating leg of the triathlon.  I take it as my responsibility to help athletes to complete the swim confidently and safely. I want to athletes to see the swim as the warm up leg of their triathlon and not something that they have to get through.

Although I have competed several 1/2IM and olympic triathlons, I now focus on open water swimming.  I have completed countless swims from Alaska to Florida, California to Maine, internationally and many places in between.  I have also completed numerous marathon swims (10k and longer) but for me open water swimming is not about distance and times, but instead it’s about the experience, adventure, and camaraderie.  Regardless of your level, I look forward to seeing everyone either at the pool or out in the wild!

James Gable

Jim Breidenbach

As originally a swim-only athlete, I caught the Triathlon bug after former Team Blaze President, John Martinek, invited me to a training-ride with a group of triathletes. I joined Team Blaze in 2014 and was honored to receive the “Scott Roy Memorial Award” in 2016. I’ve completed all distances of triathlons including the Wistler BC 2018 Full-IronMan. After (5) knee surgeries, my running and power-biking days are over but swimming is still my passion. I LOVE swimming and will continue to participate in the Sandpoint ID Long Bridge Swim and the Coeur d’Alene Crossing Swim every year. The Team Blaze Spokane community has become my extended family.

I have trained and competed within the US Masters Swimming program for 30+ years, training with and coached by many record-holding athletes. As a USMS Adult Learning-To-Swim Certified Instructor and USMS Level 2 Certified Swim Coach, I have access to the vast resources of the USMS organization. My coaching style is oriented to help triathletes maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of their swim stroke. My specialty is helping beginning swimmers develop into confident and proficient aquatic athletes. I’ve been coaching Team Blaze members since 2015.

Victor Vizcaino

Victor Vizcaino has been a proud member of the club since 2010 and brings the perfect blend of passion, grit, and good vibes to every swim, bike, and run. A certified triathlon coach and the founder of Express Your Mission Coaching LLC, Victor is on a mission to help athletes not only perform better but love the journey while doing it.

With more than 56 marathons under his belt and “countless” Ironmans (seriously, we’ve lost track), Victor is a seasoned endurance machine. His latest quest? Running a half marathon in all 50 states—because why not turn running into a nationwide adventure?
 

Whether he’s leading a workout, designing a new training strategy, or cracking a joke mid-ride, Victor is always finding innovative ways to keep training fresh and fun. If you’re looking to level up your performance and laugh your way to the finish line, you’re in the right place.