Nik Kurmakov, the former Ukrainian and Soviet Union National Rowing champion, brings more than 30 years of rowing and coaching experience to the Simmons crew program. Kurmakov recently completed his 25th year at the Fenway campus.

As a coach, Kurmakov has mentored the Simmons program to one of the top squads in the region.

Under his watch, the Sharks First Varsity Eight was nationally ranked for six consecutive weeks in 2016, including a number 11 ranking during the season. The Simmons squad received votes in the national poll in 2018 and 2020 as well.

The Varsity Eight rowed to a first place finish at the 2009 Seven Sisters Regatta, and was ranked as high as seventh in the nation in spring 2010. In 2006, Simmons earned medals at the New England Fours Championship, the ECAC Championship and the world-renowned Head of the Charles Regatta. Simmons also captured the New England Fours Women’s Division Championship 2007 and 2008. In addition, he's coached multiple All-Americans during his tenure with the Sharks.

Kurmakov coached the Ukrainian and Soviet Union national rowing squads from 1977-1992 and has also coached at the Riverside Boat Club in Cambridge.

As a rower, he has garnered first place finishes at the National Championships in the Ukraine and the former Soviet Union from 1973 to 1975. More recently, Kurmakov won gold medals at the Royal Canadian Henley Masters Regatta, the Masters U.S. National Championship, and the historic Head of the Charles five times from 2006-10.