Swimming Coach
A swimming coach does much more than just teach someone how to swim. Swimming coaches must also stay updated on the latest first aid techniques and pool safety measures. Often a swimming coach teaches and manages a swim team in addition to teaching swimming lessons. Swimming coaches, like those of any other sport, have to observe, train, and mentor particular skill sets within their teams. A great coach can mean the difference between a gold or silver medal in a swimming competition. Often a coach will focus on a specific style of swimming such as legendary sprint swimming coach Paul Blair, who has taught six Olympic swimmers.
So, do you really need a coach if you’re planning on learning to swim? We would say that the answer is a resounding “yes”. Learning to swim on your own is like trying to learn to write and do math without a teacher. You can learn a little by imitating others but to actually improve your skill, you need a certified teacher who will provide you with guidance, feedback, and encouragement.
With a coach at your disposal, you can ask questions and get a proper answer. Alternately, a swimming coach can watch your progress and help guide you along a path that will be most beneficial to you. The coach can see strengths and weaknesses to your technique and assign drills to work towards making you a better swimmer. Too often, practicing with out a coach leads to development of bad swimming habits that can be hard to break if you are ever to get better.
No matter how much natural skill a swimmer may possess, he or she will eventually hit a ceiling of development that cannot be passed without some assistance. A coach can help take those natural talents to another level. Another, less direct, benefit of a swimming coach is that he or she will keep records of your progress. If you and your family decide to move, your swim training can continue with a new coach without missing a beat because you will know exactly where you stand as a swimmer.
Whether you’re a beginning swimmer who has never stepped foot in a pool or a lifelong swimmer just looking to sharpen your skills, you need to seek out a good qualified coach to help you along the way. If you’re just looking to feel more safe around the water or if you’re reaching for a gold medal in competitive swimming, a coach can help you reach your goals.