Coach Doug Bloom
Head Coach
Direct email: douglas.bloom@isd728.org
With over four decades of coaching experience, Coach Doug Bloom brings unmatched dedication, knowledge, and heart to the Elk River Swimming and Diving program. His coaching journey began in 1984 with the Mounds View Swim Club, where he worked with the rookie and age group programs. That early experience opened the door to high school coaching, as he served for four years as an assistant coach alongside Jim Brobin at Mounds View High School for both the girls and boys teams. In 1994, Coach Bloom joined the Elk River High School coaching staff as an assistant girls varsity coach under Colleen Fox (Brobin).
Over the course of his coaching career, Coach Bloom has been part of a remarkable legacy of success. The programs he has supported have earned 44 combined winning seasons, capturing 21 Conference Championships and 14 Section Championships. The teams he has assisted have excelled by winning over 80% of their dual meet matchups. He has also played a role in developing numerous All-Conference, All-State, and fourteen All-American swimmers. Coach Bloom has been selected as Section Assistant Coach of the Year 10 times by his peers. (Girls 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2020, 2024, Boys 2020-21, 2023-24, 2024-25) Coach Bloom is the Recipient of Assistant Coach Dedicated Service Award for 2024-2025 from the Minnesota State High School League Swim Coaches Association and He has received the 2024-2025 State Assistant Coach of the Year from the Minnesota State High School League Coaches Association.
Beyond the pool, Coach Bloom’s passion for coaching helped pave the way for his career as a math teacher 31 years in the Elk River School District. Coach Bloom is commitment to student-athletes, known for supporting the head coaches he works with, and his focus on helping swimmers grow not only in their athletic abilities but as individuals. Doug and Laura have been married for 24 years and have two children, MacKenzie (23) and Carter (20). Coach Bloom credits much of his success and longevity in coaching to the unwavering support of his wife, Laura, he recognizing that a coaching commitment extends to the entire family.
Coach Russell Gnan
Assistant Swim Coach
Direct Email: russell.gnan@isd728.org
Coach Eric Tester
Dive Coach
Direct Email: eric.tester@isd728.org
What We Are About
It all started when…
To be a member of the Elk River swimming and diving team is a privilege. It involves making certain sacrifices--attending all practices, foregoing skiing and snow boarding, avoiding pop and choosing healthy foods, following curfews, and working hard. It means that you swim as the coach and team asks, do the workouts and meet warmups as written, and follow all rules and guidelines set up by the coaching staff and the Minnesota State High School League.
Joining the team also has its benefits: the chance to earn a high school letter, the experience of a team environment, the chance to compete in many meets in a short period of time, the chance to experience different coaching styles, and recognition in schools and newspapers. We hope you enjoy swimming with the high school as well. We want to make the swim team experience a fun and enjoyable one.
To be a member of the Elk River High School team, a swimmer or diver must devote his efforts to this team. You will swim the workouts, including the pre-meet warmups. You will swim the team’s meet lineups. You will complete the season with the team which includes training and tapering for the high school junior varsity, section and state meets.
Team members are strongly encouraged to attend all team parties, dinners, post-meet socials and fan exchange games. These events are scheduled to create team unity and team friendships. Parent chaperones are always present at these chemical-free events, and parents are welcome to attend all Saturday team parties. Since the majority of the team is under age 17, it is required by the coaching staff that the movies shown at these parties have a G, PG or PG-13 rating. No gambling is allowed at these parties.
A TEAM cannot work without unity and teamwork. Team members need to work to a common goal, and a team needs to get along. Fights, theft and harassment among team members will not be tolerated. A violation of this policy will result in a two-meet suspension.
Our sport trains and competes during the Winter season of the high school academic calendar. Practices are scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:00-5:15 PM. Divers will practice starting at 5:15 PM. (arrive at 5:00pm for dryland). Some Saturdays and Holidays from 8-11am (Arrive at 7:50am) Please check the calendar for any time changes!!
By the second week of the season, each team member will be assigned a team brother. This team mate is your special responsibility. Check with your brother about his events, cheer him on at every swim, support him in his efforts, make sure he is on the bus. During practice times, you will work with your brother on stroke technique, turns and starts. These brother pairs are generally a veteran to the team and a rookie. These are important connections for both brothers.