Coach George Ganoung

Coach George Ganoung has 35+ years of competitive cycling, running, duathlon and triathlon experience. As an athlete, he has competed in hundreds of events regionally, nationally and internationally, scoring numerous top finishes including winning 4 National Championships and competing on 11 National Teams in World Championship competitions. In addition, he has served as a team captain and cycling director, and has been a coach and training consultant for over 100 athletes.

In 2013, upon retiring from the Coast Guard after 20 years of service, he founded Otterhaus Coaching. His goal is to share the knowledge he has gained from working with different athletes, coaches and personal training approaches over the years with endurance athletes of all ages and levels who love endurance sports and aspire to improve.
Having successfully completed a demanding military career, George knows firsthand the challenges of managing a busy job and family life with athletic aspirations. Regardless of whether an athlete is just starting, aspires to become a professional, or wants to improve their fitness and skills at any level, he recognizes the value of maintaining a larger life perspective and keeping it as straight forward and fun as possible.

Certifications

  • USA Cycling Certified Coach Level 1 (Elite) 
  • USA Cycling Certified Power Based Training Coach
  • USA Triathlon Certified Coach Level 1 
  • TrainingPeaks Certified Coach Level II
  • Slowtwitch Certified Triathlon Swim Coach

Coaching Highlights

  • Has worked with over 100 athletes in 24 states and 10 countries in road cycling, mountain biking, gravel, fondos, triathlon, duathlon and running. 
  • Athletes have included both men and women from beginners to seasoned veterans, and from juniors to masters.
  • Focus areas have ranged from those who were looking to maintain a more healthy lifestyle and generally improving fitness, to nationally competitive elite athletes.
  • 17 athletes have earned racing category upgrades with USA Cycling. 22 competed in National Championship competition (including 4 National Champions) and 16 in World Championship competition.
  • Other highlights include: first time triathlon finishers; first time half Ironman triathlon (70.3) finishers; first time Ironman triathlon (140.6) finisher, first time Powerman Zofingen Duathlon finisher and first time Leadville 100 finisher.
  • Practical experience training with heart rate training since 1997 and power since 2003.
  • 2018-22 Manager and Elite Program Director Otterhaus Racing Team
  • 2015-16 Director of Elite Sports Program (cycling, running, triathlon and para-cycling) US Military Endurance Sports
  • 2019 US Armed Forces Cycling Team Coach; World Military Games in China
  • 2015 US Armed Forces Cycling Team Coach; World Military Games in South Korea
  • 2014 Director of Elite Cycling US Military Endurance Sports
  • 2013 US Armed Forces Cycling Team Coach; World Military Championships in Belgium

Athletic Highlights

  • 20 years competitive running experience, 7 years duathlon/triathlon experience, focused primarily on cycling since 2002.
  • USA Cycling Category 1 Road Cyclist, former USA Triathlon Elite Duathlete and Div III Collegiate Cross Country and Track Runner
  • 7 x Member/5 x Captain US Armed Forces Cycling Team: 2003-2009
  • 5 x USA National Duathlon Team Member: 1996-2000 ITU World Duathlon Champs
  • 2004 US Olympic Road Cycling Trials Qualifier (Based on NRC Points)
  • 2003 and 2004 US Armed Forces Time Trial National Champion
  • 2000 USA Triathlon 25-29 Age Group US Duathlon National Champion
  • 2017 US Gran Fondo National Champion 45-54 Age Group
  • 7th 2004 CISM World Military Time Trial Championships, Slovakia
  • 9th 2009 CISM World Military Time Trial Championships, Ireland
  • 5th 1997 ITU World Age Group Duathlon Championships, Gernika, Spain
  • 8th 2000 ITU World Age Group Duathlon Championships, Calais, France
  • 2019 Mid Atlantic Masters Time Trial Champion
  • 2018 Mid Atlantic Masters Road Race Champion
  • 2012 Mid Atlantic Masters Best All Around Rider
  • 10 x WV State Champion (Road and TT 2012-2021)
  • 1st Overall 2021 Shenandoah Mountain 100k NUE MTB Race
  • 5th 2012 USA Cycling Masters National Time Trial Championships
  • 4 x Regional/District Champion (Time Trial & Criterium)
  • 6 x USAT Regional Duathlon Champion, New England, Southwest and Mid Atlantic Regions
  • 2 x US Coast Guard Elite Athlete of the Year