Swim Parents - Partners in Potential and Performance

Every swimming coach in the world has to find a way to work effectively with the parents / carers of the kids they coach.

The concept of Partnership is important.

In essence, what are coaches, parents / carers and swimmers all chasing?

Answer: To help the swimmer be all they choose to be - to help them realize their potential in and out of the water.

The beautiful thing about that is that when it comes down to it - coaches, parents / carers and swimmers - ALL WANT THE SAME THING! - we all want to see the swimmer learn to love the water, enjoy the experience of swimming, improve and to be all they choose to be.

In any partnership, each of the partners, need to do their "job" - they need to understand what it is they need to do to help achieve their collective goal - in this case - the realization of the potential of the swimmer.

So what's the "job" of a coach? To teach skills, help swimmers prepare for Meets, to improve their speed and fitness, to help them perform when and where it matters, etc.

And swimmers - what's their "job"?

It is simply - to do the best they can - every time they train and race - to do their best.

Swimming Parents and carers - what's their "job"?

1. To teach values like respect, honesty, integrity, humility, courage, discipline and a work-ethic.
2. To help build independence, self-responsibility and self-accountability
3. To love, accept and value their children unconditionally for who they are.
4. To help their kids learn important life skills like time management.
5. To teach them the importance of taking ownership and responsibility for their day to day needs like cleaning their rooms, preparing for training, packing their swim bags, hanging out wet swim suits and towels etc.

6. 
   

If you think about the coach, parent / carer and swimmer relationship as a partnership - as a team - where every member of the team is committed to and focused on helping the swimmer to be the best they can be - there's no limits to what you can achieve together.

Is it always easy?

NO!!! - of course not. Stories about the difficulties of dealing with over zealous and overly "invested" swimming parents / carers are common place in coaching all over the world.

But, it is vital that coaches look to find ways of building and sustaining strong, positive contructive relationships with swimming parents / carers and to strive to work closely together as the swimmer progresses.

Wayne and Glenn discuss what makes a great coach. From the public perception of greatness to the reality of everyday people being great.

We asked ChatGPT it's definition of what is a great coach, and the answers were pretty darn good.

A great coach is someone who possesses a unique blend of skills, qualities, and attributes that enable them to effectively guide, inspire, and develop individuals or teams to reach their full potential. Here are some characteristics that define a great coach:

1. Excellent Communication Skills: A great coach can convey ideas, instructions, and feedback clearly and effectively, fostering understanding and trust among their players or team members.
   
2. Empathy and Understanding: They have the ability to understand the needs, motivations, and challenges of each individual they coach, and they empathize with their experiences.
   
3. Leadership and Vision: A great coach has a clear vision for success and inspires others to share and work towards that vision. They lead by example, setting high standards of behavior and performance.
   
4. Expertise and Knowledge: They possess a deep understanding of the sport, field, or subject matter they're coaching in, as well as the strategies and techniques necessary for success.
   
5. Adaptability: A great coach can adapt their coaching style and strategies to suit the unique needs and circumstances of their players or team, maximizing effectiveness.
   
6. Motivational Skills: They know how to motivate and inspire their players or team members, instilling confidence, self-belief, and a strong work ethic.
   
7. Feedback and Development: They provide constructive feedback in a supportive manner, helping individuals identify areas for improvement and develop their skills and abilities.
   
8. Patience and Resilience: They remain patient and resilient in the face of setbacks and challenges, maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging perseverance.
   
9. Trust and Respect: A great coach builds trust and respect with their players or team members through honesty, integrity, and fairness.
   
10. Commitment and Dedication: They are deeply committed to the development and success of their players or team members, investing time, effort, and energy to help them achieve their goals.
    

Overall, a great coach is not just someone who helps individuals or teams win games or achieve success; they also play a crucial role in shaping character, instilling values, and fostering personal growth and development.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and we're glad to be back.

The Third 50 - E11 - Brent Rutemiller - Swimming in Legacy

It's difficult to describe Brent Rutemiller.

He's a swimmer. There's a good start.

He's been a coach. OK - you sort of get the picture but....

He also has been - (and in some cases still is):

• A marketing manager
• A CEO
• A publisher
• An editor
• An author
• A manager
• A cartoon artist
• An influencer and thought leader in the sport
• A TV host
• A script writer
• A sales manager
• A presenter
• A global force for change in the sport of swimming
• A dad of three remarkable kids
• A loving and devoted husband to a truly amazing woman - Ellen
• A leader
• A wonderful friend and colleague and...
• Someone who's been fighting and beating the heck out of cancer for almost three years.

We asked Brent a few months ago about his mental attitude to fighting the greatest fight of his life - his battle with cancer - and he said the most inspiring words we've ever heard from a human being, "Every morning I tell myself today things will be better".

In this THE THIRD 50 Episode, the first of series 2 - we talk to Brent about his life in swimming.

We discuss how he fell in love with the sport and how he's seen and experienced the sport change and evolve - not always for the better - over his life in swimming.

We ask him about his time leading Swimming World and we invite him to share his views on the sport and how it's likely to develop in the years to come.

And we talk with Brent about his family, his philosophies and views on life and on how he's remained positive, powerful and strong as he refuses to allow the disease to define his attitudes or his existence.

This is an Episode not to be missed! You will be inspired. You will be informed. You will laugh a little at some terrible jokes but mostly you'll gain some personal insights into the life of one of the sport's most influential and intelligent figures.

Why The Third 50?

Because it's the third 50 of a 200 that matters. (We could have called this The Third 100 because it's the same principle!)

* The 1st 50 is fast because you're fresh and fired up, ready to race.

* The 2nd 50 flows because you're trying to relax and keep it smooth.

* The 4th 50 is about fighting and staying strong to the finish.

But the 3rd 50 is where the magic happens. It's where the integration of your mind and body, your skills and technique, your stroke mechanics, and your hard training all come together.

The 3rd 50 is the "championship" lap, where the great swimmers take control of themselves and the race and power away to victory.

We want to share our almost 80 years of experience with coaches, swimming teachers, swimmers, triathletes, and people who love being in and around the water worldwide.

Who Are Wayne and Glenn?

Wayne Goldsmith is an Australian coach, mentor, writer, speaker, and presenter. He's worked in swimming for over 30 years and is an internationally respected sports performance professional. He's been recognized for his contribution to the sport of swimming with the Outstanding Contribution to Swimming in Australia Award and been recently received the Al Schoenfield Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Visit Wayne's Website - https://wgcoaching.com/

Glenn Mills is an American coach, writer, and video producer. He's been involved in swimming for over 55 years. He's competed at every level of the sport, from winning the US Olympic Trials and NCAA Championships and even setting a few Masters World Records. For over 25 years, he's produced swimming technique content as the Co-Founder of GoSwim.tv, the Official Technique Partner with USA Swimming. He has also won the Paragon Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his contribution to competitive swimming.

Visit Glenn's Website - https://www.goswim.tv/