Alan Bircher
From Openwaterpedia
Alan Bircher, medalist at the FINA World Cup event in Portugal
Stefanie Bircher with Alan Bircher, parents of Poppy Bircher
Alan Bircher (born 21 September 1981) was a world-class pool and open water swimmer from Great Britain and is currently the head coach of the Ellesmere College. He is married to former world-class swimmer Stefanie Bircher.
Open Water Swimming Career
- Bircher won a silver medal in the 10 km marathon swim at the 3rd FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2004.
- Bircher finished fourth in the 2005 FINA World Championships 10 km marathon swim
- Bircher finished seventh at the 2006 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championship 10 km marathon swim
- Bircher finished seventh at the 2007 FINA World Championships in the 10 km marathon swim
- Bircher was a member of the British Swimming national team from 1997 until his retirement in 2008 during which he represented Great Britain at six FINA World Championships from 2003 to 2008
- Bircher competed at 3 European Championships one in the pool and two in Open Water – winning a silver medal in the 5 km open water swim in Madrid in 2004
- Bircher was a 10-time British national champion at 1500m in the pool and 5 km open water and 10 km marathon swim
- Bircher was a multiple World Cup Stage winner and twice European Cup Champion
- Bircher won the 2003 LEN Open Water Cup series.
- Bircher won the 2004 LEN Open Water Cup series.
Coaching Career
- Bircher was the Head Coach of Wyre Forest Swimming Club in Worcestershire and a Partner with Deep Blue Swimming
- Bircher is currently coaching the Ellesmere College Titans
- Bircher coached at West Suffolk where he coached his wife Stefanie Bircher (nee Steffi Biller) to the 2009 FINA World Championships 7th place finish in Rome and second place in the FINA World Cup professional circuit and produced multiple national champions.
- Bircher received the 2016 Youth Coach of the Year Award from British Swimming
