Former Rutgers Head Coach and acclaimed swimming writer Chuck Warner (a frequent guest to Swim Talk A2B) has done it AGAIN. His latest book release, "How To Be A Great Swim Parent" is a compilation and distillation of topics and issues related to the parent-child-coach relationships the ASCA Hall of Fame coach has collected and refined over the years, and as 2024 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year Mickey Wender has remarked, "I can't imagine a better resource to help us focus on the 'right things' as we support the development of a young mind and body."

Join A2B hosts Bob and Dana in an illuminating (what? you thought we were going to say "fascinating"???) round-table discussion of a valuable slim volume that USA Swimming Board Member Coach Ira Klein says is "...an absolute joy to read...so critical to help educate new swim parents..."

You can get more details and info (and PURCHASE) this wonderfully enlightening book (and other great books by Coach Warner) at www.chuckwarnerbooks.com

Episode timeline:

00:01 – Disclaimer

01:09 – Chuck Warner Books

01:48 – Kelsie at The Jay

02:38 – Return of Chuck Warner

03:00 – How to be a Great Swim Parent

04:08 – The origins

06:52 – The Audience?

07:38 – Why competitive swimming?

09:12 – Support – Don’t Lead

13:27 – Our family’s swim journey

14:28 – Scenario

19:03 – The Henrys

19:32 – Swimming is hard

20:29 – Self-Image

24:50 – Attrition in the sport

26:36 – Effort over outcome

28:32 – Coaching is teaching

31:17 – Love difficult people…

35:40 – Goals

39:05 – Social Media addiction

49:25 – Carpools

50:26 – Book formats

52:25 – Team orders? ([email protected])

54:10 – John E. Davis 2extreme Dream (https://2xtreme.info/)

55:09 – Listening to kids

57:20 – Paraphrasing Samuel Langhorne Clemens

58:20 – Wrapping it up

We begin this episode with a lengthy recitation of achievements by this noted coach and educator, but here are some highlights, courtesy of ASCA:

Coaching Since: 1977
Northside Aquatics

Email us at: [email protected]

Timeline for this episode:

00:01 – Disclaimer

00:21 – George Block bio

02:10 – San Antonio drownings

05:28 – Benefits of the sport

07:07 – Cell phone vs. swim lessons

08:03 – Introducing George Block

08:33 – Long course water

10:20 – AAAA

14:40 – The “D” word

15:15 – Northside Swim Center

16:11 – Acronym overload

20:13 – Limited Texas options

24:38 – WSCA & anti-doping

30:32 – New testing technology

33:44 – Long-term consequences

34:55 – Pan Zhanle

35:35 – Team USA issues

39:22 – Mike Unger

44:48 – Training the world

47:55 – What hasn’t changed?

50:13 – Flunking retirement

54:59 – Wrapping it up

SARASOTA SWIM ACADEMY Head Coach Ira Klein, has coached 6 OLYMPIANS and over 40 USA, YMCA and COLLEGIATE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

He is an ASCA-certified Level 5 Coach, the highest level attainable with the American Swim Coaches Association. He was the first coach in the country to attain that level as a Senior, Age Group, and YMCA coach. He has more than four decades of teaching experience and coaching excellence.

Coach Ira Klein is from New York, graduating in 1975 from Queens College with a BA in Physical Education. He then did his graduate study in Exercise Science at the Univ. of Massachusetts. At Queens College Coach Ira lettered in both swimming and water polo.

Coaching has taken him around the country, including four years in Colorado at the Olympic Training Center creating a new Club Services department for USA Swimming. When he was ready to return to the coaching deck he decided to turn down all offers and return to Sarasota where he earlier headed the YMCA program for five years.

AMONG HIS COACHING CREDENTIALS ARE:

100% of all program graduating athletes have entered and attended college 65% of all program graduates attending college have received scholarships

Five time USA National Team Coach

Two time past President of the American Swim Coaches Association [ASCA]

Past Vice President of USA Swimming

ASCA Coach 'Gold Medal' Level; received for more than 20 years, as a National ‘Coaching Excellence’ award recipient.

Coached over 100 USA Swimming National, NCAA Collegiate, YMCA National, National Age Group and Junior Olympic; individual and team champions!

When asked what he enjoys most in swimming, the singular answer is "the ability to watch a young person achieve something, at any level, that they had never done before and learn that all is possible if they are willing to work for it."

Coach Ira can be reached at 941-928-SWIM (7946)

[email protected]

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Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Timeline for this episode

00:01 – Disclaimer

00:24 – How to be a Great Swim Parent

01:23 – Ira Klein on swim parenting

03:48 – Eddie Reese book

04:18 – Introducing Ira Klein

04:43 – Sarasota Tsunami Swim Team

08:35 – Cindy’s Sue Nami Swims

09:07 – Hurricanes

11:00 – USAS Club Services

13:15 – Coaching up the parents

17:25 – USAS staffing

22:47 – Team USA trials & camps

27:35 – Looking within for a CEO?

28:33 – Going coach-owned?

31:24 – AAU to USAS w/ASCA

32:33 – Professional attire

33:50 – What isn’t new?

36:36 – Terry Laughlin

40:20 – Ira’s coaching journey

43:55 – Create the best environment

50:04 – Surviving the long haul

54:04 – Wrapping it up

Three- time Canadian Olympian Jon Cleveland has been a swimmer, a coach, and overseer for the installation of Myrtha pools for the USA Olympic Swimming Trials. First representing Canada at the Olympics in 1988 (Seoul), he medaled in the 400 medley relay (Bronze) in 1992 (Barcelona), and returned for his last Olympics as a competitor in 1996 (Atlanta).

The son of MLB pitcher Reggie Cleveland, Jon was also a sports anchor and reporter for TV station CFPL in London, Ontario for 5 years.

A contemporary and rival of famed Canadian swimmer Victor Davis, Jon's visit with us takes us back to his roots in swimming, his journey to greatness, and his passion for the aquatics industry and competitive swimming, as well as swimming for all. We hear him voice his thoughts and perceptions about lifeguard shortages, learn-to-swim and lesson programs, and why there is a greater need for them now than ever.

Join us for another riveting episode!

Email us: [email protected]

Myrtha Pools: https://www.myrthapools.com

Timeline for this episode

00:00:01 – Disclaimer

00:01:08 – Water Safety PSA

00:02:02 – Introducing Jon Cleveland

00:02:28 – Into the swimming world

00:06:25 – Move to Calgary

00:09:08 – Taking on Victor Davis

00:13:00 – Trevor Tiffany connection

00:14:32 – Corner Gas

00:16:01 – Broadcasting in London

00:17:36 – Coaching & teaching in Dallas

00:19:50 – From coaching to Myrtha

00:21:00 – Why multi-pool facilities?

00:26:40 – Myrtha = First Class

00:29:00 – What’s a Myrtha pool?

00:31:18 – Latest options

00:34:22 – Mobile option

00:35:00 – New projects

00:37:30 – Past the roadblocks

00:40:00 – New York initiatives

00:40:49 – Lifeguard shortages

00:42:30 – Race visualization

00:45:35 – Why not more learn-to-swim?

00:51:32 – Private school builds

00:55:50 – Out of the dark ages

01:00:30 – Contractor issues

01:03:23 – David Johnson

01:04:50 – Wrapping it up

Yes, we've finally turned our attention to the unheralded realm of amazing junior colleges, those necessary and beneficial 2-year options for kids wanting to extend their HS careers, hopefully parlaying that experience into a 4-year option.

Dale Pearce is not only a great JuCo mentor at a rising program (Men have won 10 Regional Championships, 11 NJCAA Non-Scholarship Team Titles, and the Women 8 Regional and 8 NJCAA Non-Scholarship Team Titles), he is also the Assistant AD at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY. Come listen to him share some great stories and explain why JuCo swimming can be a perfect next-path for a HS swimmer.

Email us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Interested in swimming for the MCC Tribunes? You can email Coach Dale Pearce at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Check out MCC Swimming here:

Men: ⁠https://www.mcctribunes.com/sports/mswimdive/index⁠

Women: ⁠https://www.mcctribunes.com/sports/wswimdive/index⁠

Timeline:

00:01 – Disclaimer & banter

01:08 – Water Safety PSA

02:02 – Introducing Dale Pearce

02:38 – Working w/JUCO athletes

03:58 – Recruiting

08:01 – Beyond the pool

12:43 – Wearing several hats

14:55 – JUCO competition

16:52 – Changes through the years

19:16 – Club swimming

20:10 – Wearing the CPO hat

24:55 – Air quality

29:14 – Season preview

32:58 – International program

36:05 – Dave’s Leap

36:42 – Enjoying the moment

38:43 – Coaching: Then & Now

41:12 – Contact Dale

41:53 – Wrapping it up

Don and Ron Heidary have been in this particular business for over 30 years, and after listening to them explain their strategy and philosophy of CHARACTER FIRST (team culture), you will understand why. Dana is personally enthused from this conversation with a couple of this country's absolute best coaches, and Bob is cheering them, too!

Swimming World Magazine has a couple of great articles about the Heidary brothers and team culture, character:

"Q&A with the Heidarys": https://tinyurl.com/2eja237d

"Build A Wining Culture": https://tinyurl.com/52ufrka6

Email us: [email protected]

Have you learned anything or even -enjoyed- any of these mediocre podcasts? Well, then, buy us a coffee!

https://buymeacoffee.com/swimtalka2b

TIMELINE for this OUTSTANDING episode:

00:01 – Disclaimer & banter

03:05 – Chuck Warner books

04:25 – Introducing Ron & Don Heidary

05:05 – Making character education work

08:12 – Personal connections

12:35 – From rock pile to cathedral

16:33 – Orinda Aquatics staffing

17:43 – Does culture match mission?

20:52 – Eight reasons why teenagers drink

(Link here: https://tinyurl.com/bdmjtv9x)

22:12 – Facility

23:20 – Feeding the program

24:40 – Virtual Club Championships

26:11 – Getting their start

28:32 – Work ethic

31:11 – Trust

34:49 – Developing leaders & coaches

38:02 – Self-discipline

40:00 – Favorites

42:05 – What’s life w/o swimming?

45:28 – Working in some fun

47:20 – Pressure cooker

48:10 – Finding the right fit

48:48 – Culture of caring

51:38 – Wrapping it up

52:38 – Check program notes

One of the most successful collegiate careers in the business! Listen in as we have an engaging conversation with University of Virginia Head Women's and Men's coach Todd DeSorbo. Besides all of the NCAA and Olympic success, did he really say, " if there was one time-frame I would go back to in my life, it would be high school. Partly because... I loved high school, but my math classes were so much fun, and then [my coach] Nikki [Rosenbluth] was so much fun and swimming ... everything that we were doing was fun and I liked it. So it was easy to work hard at it."

Yes, he did. HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING.

We think you'll really enjoy this peek into the life and career of UVA and USA Olympic Head Coach Todd DeSorbo!

Email us: [email protected]

Episode timeline:

00:01 - Disclaimer

00:20 – Safety or Convenience?

01:16 – Banter

03:15 – Compensation

04:13 – Introducing Todd DeSorbo

04:51 – Splitting time?

06:21 – Support at UVA

09:32 – Accolades

11:40 – Building the roster

14:01 – The Salisbury Post

15:00 – Contending for titles

16:36 – Sprinter Ryan Held

18:38 – Jaw-dropping workouts

20:50 – The Salisbury Hornets

22:01 – Coaching IM-ers

24:36 – Nicky Rosenbluth

26:46 – Numbers cruncher

32:01 – The new ACC

34:45 – What about the men?

37:02 – Titles to Titleist

40:10 – Powerhouse schedule

41:45 – Alternate meet formats

47:00 – Wrapping it up

47:39 – Looking ahead

Photo courtesy of Swimming World Magazine and Photographer Peter H. Bick

From listennotes.com:

Jeff is a swim official, former FINA starter and pastor. He has worked with big business brands including Toyota, TBS Brands and Mohawk Industries. He’s also worked with University sports from Auburn, NC State, Denison and Queens, as well as club programs like the Mason Manta Rays, TAC Titans, and NOVA.

Email us at: [email protected]

Contact Jeff Raker:

https://www.levelupleadershipcoach.com/contact-us/

Level Up Leadership on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@JARaker5

Timeline for this episode:

00:01 – Disclaimer

01:22 – Water Safety PSA

02:30 – Introducing Jeff Raker

04:00 – Jeff’s road to Doha ‘24

06:46 – Level Up Leadership

08:50 – Question for Today

10:40 – Leaders who listen & learn

12:33 – Now That’s a Great Question

14:35 – L.I.S.T.E.N.

17:44 – Questioning strategies

21:05 – Strengths & weaknesses

22:50 – Fragile athletes

24:49 – Fears: Natural & Learned

28:31 – Compass vs. Calendar

31:35 – Rest, recovery, & reflection

34:38 – Self-care

38:11 – Coaches’ Academies

42:47 – Warming up with Doc

43:33 – Reaching out to Jeff

47:20 – Wrapping it up

In this second part of two content-rich episodes with former Executive Director of the American Swimming Coaches Association, John Leonard, we dive DEEPLY into the problems and history associated with the PED doping scandal in our sport. We hear John's opinion of age-group and high school coaches (high praise indeed!), and who would be on his "Mt. Rushmore of Swimming". Extremely enlightening!

Email us: [email protected]

Time line for the dynamite episode:

00:01 – Disclaimer

01:06 – How to be a Great Swim Parent

02:30 – Part II Preview

02:58 – PED’s Panel

04:59 – How to “game” the system

08:04 – David Howman

09:00 – Phony testing schemes

10:10 – Performance anomalies

11:33 – Microdosing

13:26 – Systematic failure

14:01 – Losing faith in WADA

15:06 – Athletics Integrity Unit

17:48 – Dr. Lothar Kipke

20:48 – Government-sponsored programs

22:06 – ’96 Atlanta Games

25:51 – From FINA to World Aquatics

28:15 – USADA

30:37 – FINA buying votes

33:15 – What hasn’t changed?

35:24 – Coaching age groupers

38:09 – Mount Rushmore of swim coaching

44:17 – Wrapping it up

Music credits:

The Whip Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

From 1985 to 2020, "ASCA" and "John Leonard" were unmistakably linked. As Executive Director of the American Swimming Coaches Association for 35 years, Coach Leonard has been inextricably involved with American swimming at almost every level from LTS (Learn-to-Swim) to the US National Team, from local organization to battling athletic doping on an international scale. You ought to really enjoy this first of a two-part conversation with "Mr. ASCA."

Email us: [email protected]

Timeline for this episode, courtesy of Button:

00:01 – Disclaimer & banter

01:52 – ASCA mentoring

03:41 – Previewing Parts I & II

04:42 – Introducing John Leonard

05:06 – Syracuse Chargers:  Zero to Powerhouse

08:15 – Favorites

09:28 – ASCA Executive Director

11:35 – SwimAmerica

15:35 – Coach-owned clubs

17:08 – Coach certification & Walt Schlueter

22:10 – The Suit Wars

25:49 – Organization growth

30:00 – …but wait!  There’s more!

30:26 – More ASCA mentoring & membership

Music Credits:

"Private Eye" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/