Call me an old fashioned cynic, but Gary Hall's oh so exclusive "Race Club" seems to generate more amusement than intimidation. To review the bidding for those with real lives, Mr. Hall announced a few months ago his intent to form his own club dedicated to elite swimming. It has a fabulous location and training facility in the Florida Keys. It will cover travel, training and living expenses. (I'm tempted to ask who is fronting the money, but I won't denigrade Mr. Hall's ability to raise funds.) If you want to join them, send in a resume; don't call us; we'll call you. Let us look over your accoplishments and decide whether you are worthy.
Hmm, great facilities, don't have to share pool time with the non-world class members (i.e. 99%) of a Swim Club, just about all expenses paid. Unless you have your own lucrative endorsement deal, what swimmer wouldn't want to join this team?
Well, the initial members of the "Swim Club" were announced last week. www.swiminfo.com/.../6097.asp Eight Olympians sounds real impressive. But then you look at the list a little more closely. Eleven swimmers, and although I have not googled everyone of them, all of the ones I have googled are in their late 20's or older. Or in other words, 3 of the 11 swimmers are chronologically at the back end of their careers, and they have not yet made their nation's Olympic Team. Closer scrutiny reveals 10 of the 11 are men. Just about all of them swim the 50 free or 50 fly, and few of them seriously compete in anything other that the 50 or 100 free or fly. In contrast to the lack of age, gender and event diversity, the team does have members of many nationalities and ethic backgrounds. However, the most telling stat of all is that roughly half of the members I checked are not currently ranked in the World Top 20 Rankings, LCM or SCM, in any event.
Overall, the "Swim Club" sort of reminds me of the kind of team a rookie fantasy league coach would assemble--there are a lot of names you would recognize, but their most productive years may be behind them. To be fair, all of these folks are amazing, world-class swimmers. Their careers to date have been awesome, and they remain extraordinary today by any standard, except arguably World Rankings. In contrast, I am an opinionated loud mouth. I would be delighted to see them find new speed and light up the scoreboards next year with medals and records, and make a complete monkey of me. As of right now, I think may the "Swim Club's" gloss may have exceeded its actual capabilities.
Matt
Parents
Former Member
Sorry guys, you don't get to Level 5 by just passing certification tests. You have to produce , contribute, and be published. Passing tests only gets you to level 1.
Not arrogant, do you really want a coach that says, well maybe we can get you faster? Or one who knows and will do what is best for you to get you faster. Confident, yes.
Any good coach would love to get talent like that. Two years ago I had 5 swimmers from 4 different high schools final in the high school championships. Some came 60 miles to swim with me. This last year I again got lucky, two 12 year old boys, one doing 2:19 for 200 yard breaststroke and the other doing 1:05. Still to get better at coaching, try the Special Olympics.
I pay attention to the smallest details, at least my swimmers will always have great starts and turns and finishes. I prepare myself for coaching very hard and long. Preparation and hard work grows confidence and better skills. I say I am lucky, but there are a lot of hours behind that luck. I wish I had more time for my own swimming, would love to be in great shape again. Yet I do not give any drills to my swimmer that I can't do myself. I often create new drills while swimming and then try them out on my swimmers. Some work, some don't. Some get modified by the swimmers input to become very good drills.
Sorry guys, you don't get to Level 5 by just passing certification tests. You have to produce , contribute, and be published. Passing tests only gets you to level 1.
Not arrogant, do you really want a coach that says, well maybe we can get you faster? Or one who knows and will do what is best for you to get you faster. Confident, yes.
Any good coach would love to get talent like that. Two years ago I had 5 swimmers from 4 different high schools final in the high school championships. Some came 60 miles to swim with me. This last year I again got lucky, two 12 year old boys, one doing 2:19 for 200 yard breaststroke and the other doing 1:05. Still to get better at coaching, try the Special Olympics.
I pay attention to the smallest details, at least my swimmers will always have great starts and turns and finishes. I prepare myself for coaching very hard and long. Preparation and hard work grows confidence and better skills. I say I am lucky, but there are a lot of hours behind that luck. I wish I had more time for my own swimming, would love to be in great shape again. Yet I do not give any drills to my swimmer that I can't do myself. I often create new drills while swimming and then try them out on my swimmers. Some work, some don't. Some get modified by the swimmers input to become very good drills.
