Coaching the Swim Smooth Way // Coach Mike
/As triathletes, we're always striving for goals. Whether that goal is hitting a PB, completing an IronMan or tackling your first GoTri, your training and coaching is fundamental. At Brighton Tri Club we are privileged to have 16 qualified BTF Coaches, and growing!
Last week two of our Coaches took part in the Swim Smooth Coach Education Course. Below is Coach Mike's account of the 3 day course.
Mike Porteous is the Coaching Coordinator at Brighton Tri Club, a qualified Level 2 Triathlon England Coach, and Founder of ZigZag Alive. Read Coach Mike's blog in full here.
Taking part in the Swim Smooth Coach Education Course was a tremendous learning experience and I'm now back, buzzing with ideas of things to try out and even more enthusiasm than before.
Swim Smooth are the world leaders in swim coaching, and as you can expect the course was heavily over-subscribed. So it was very special to be amongst the select few from around the world to be chosen. Great too that my friend, and fellow Bri Tri Coach Graeme was also selected.
In the blue, Paul Newsome and Adam Young and in the red Bri Tri coaches Mike and Graeme
The 3 day course was packed with a great mix of very practical, active sessions and classroom analysis. On Day 1 we were videoed, and had our stroke analysed. Reviewing the videos, there was a big focus on the model of swim types Swim Smooth have developed. Graeme and I were defined as a Glider and a Swinger respectively!
Swim Smooth shared some great insights into how they have developed their squad coaching. During Day 2, we had the opportunity to play with turbo trainers during a Ramp Test, allowing us to experiment changing the stroke rate. As part of the course, we also assisted with a full on Swimmers Clinic. Having made so many improvements to my own swimming over the first 2 days, it was great to see and help with others going through the same process.
It feels so good to have done the course, learning from the real masters and from a great bunch of other coaches. Certainly a lot to take back to the Club, so watch out for great Swim Smooth inspired sessions soon!
Brighton Tri Club Swims take place on Mondays & Thursday evenings at Brighton College Pool. Please check our training page for more details.
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RT @katganly: Great run with great @brightontriclub company this morning over some damp and windy Downs. Love a day off for Jogs ‘n Chats!