Coaching with Purpose

Hip, knee and low back pain can be a consequence of weak ‘Glute’ muscles. Synchronized/Artistic swimmers are incredibly strong athletes but tend to have underdeveloped Gluteal muscles. This is a result of the extensive time spent doing eggbeater which makes the TFL (Tensor Fascia Latae) strong and the ITB (Iliotibial Band) tight.   The TFL/ITB…

No one enjoys the thought of being judged for their every action and every pose. But in judged-sports like artistic swimming (previously known as synchronized swimming, or still known by its lovely nickname: synchro) that is exactly what you sign up for. And this brings up a great question: what is a synchro judge REALLY thinking…

There’s something almost magical and mesmerizing about watching a perfectly timed, precisely synchronized swimming routine, complete with beautiful long lines and extended legs. Behind the creation of that beautiful routine, is a group of athletes who worked tirelessly to create that piece of art and athleticism. But within that team, there’s at least one who…

Which is your Priority? I feel like patterns in a team are more important than synchronization. Let me explain why. For me patterns is the picture your are setting up for the judges. As long as the patterns are inaccurate the judge will always be trying to guess what exactly you are trying to show.…

A Skill We Must Teach As I visit other clubs and choreograph routines I have noticed many swimmers lack the flexibility to do a basic hurdle position. Other times they just do not know how to get their bodies into the correct position. A lost skill? I’m starting to think that we need to make…

Training the Arms without Worrying About the Legs. I learned this years ago at a synchro camp for coaches and athletes and I have been using it ever since. It is great because the swimmers only need to focus on what the arms are doing. Here is the video of the different options of the drill! Steps: 1.…

Are you a Floater or a Sinker? It may seem obvious, but you must teach your swimmers to float. To some swimmers this skill comes naturally. I am a person who can naturally float. Even upside down I can float close to my knees. But you will have swimmers that cannot float at all and…

Photo Credit- Dan Robichaud Photography I decided to become a synchronized swimming judge at the age of 16. At the time, I figured judging would keep me connected to the sport I loved after reaching university age (it took me years to discover you could still swim synchro as an adult). Also, the accuracy of…

Episode 1 Sleep can improve your performance. Listen to episode 1 of my interview with Bianca van der Meulen on why sleep is so important. Here is what I asked our expert: Can you tell us how sleep can have a positive role in athletic performance? When does REM sleep occur and are there any…

Tips I’ve Learned Over the Years When I was a student at the University of Alberta I took a class specifically on teaching children 12&under. the scary thing I ever had to do was lead a lesson for two and three year olds!!! Here are some valuable tips I learned from class and over the…