Birth name John William Coutts Sport Swimming | Country New Zealand | |
Born 14 August 1955 (age 61) ( 1955-08-14 ) Marton, New Zealand | ||
John William Coutts (born 14 August 1955) is a former New Zealand swimmer. Now based in Australia, he is the owner of Carlile Swimming Australia, the world's largest private swimming organisation founded by Forbes Carlile.
Coutts was born in Marton in 1955, and grew up in Hastings. He received his education at Hastings Central, Hastings Intermediate, and Hastings Boys' High Schools. Coutts was the first person to swim Cook Strait in both directions.
Coutts won a bronze medal in the 200 m butterfly at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. He competed at the 1975 World Aquatics Championships in Cali, Colombia. He represented New Zealand at the 1976 Summer Olympics and came fourth and fifth in 100 m and 100 m butterfly, respectively.
Coutts owns and is director of Carlile Swimming Australia, the largest private swimming school in the world, originally set up by Australian swimming legend Forbes Carlile and his wife Ursula Carlile. Coutts is also co-owner of a swimming school in the United States.
At age 16, he was voted Hawke's Bay Sportsperson of the Year in 1972. In June 2012, he was inducted into the Hawke's Bay's Sports Hall of Fame. He is married to Sally, and they have four children. Coutts and his wife live in Australia.