In this conversation, we speak to Andi Manley, the Director of Swimming at Loughborough University. The coach to Dan Wiffen's Olympic Gold Medal-winning campaign in 2024, Andi shares insights from his extensive coaching journey including powerful insights from that moment in Paris. He discusses the transition from being a swimmer to a coach, the importance of understanding each athlete as an individual, and the influence of various coaches on his development.

Andi reflects on the success of athletes like Dan Wiffen, his coaching philosophy, and the unique environment at Loughborough that fosters athlete growth. He also touches on the challenges of balancing coaching with parenting, the importance of continuous professional development, and offers advice for early career coaches. As he prepares for the role of Team England Head Coach at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Andi emphasises the significance of collaboration and support within the coaching community.

You can find out more about Loughborough University's Swim Programme here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/swimming/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via coaches@aprace.club

In this conversation, Lauren Cox shares her journey as a swimmer, detailing her experiences from a small club to becoming a European Champion. She discusses the importance of resilience, the adaptations in her training, and the lessons learned from various coaches.

Lauren emphasises the significance of mental toughness, visualisation techniques, and the role of resistance training in her development. She reflects on the transitions between programs and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with coaches. Ultimately, Lauren defines success as personal fulfilment rather than just accolades, highlighting the need for athletes to enjoy their journey.

You can follow Laurens journey here: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_cox01/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via coaches@aprace.club

In this conversation, Gary Laybourne shares his unique perspective on coaching, drawing from his experiences in athletics and his journey from a troubled youth to a successful coach.

He emphasises the importance of fun and inclusion in coaching young athletes, the need for coaches to balance historical wisdom with modern practices, and the significance of engaging parents in the coaching process.

Gary also discusses his day job, which focuses on empowering marginalised youth through sports, and reflects on his personal journey and the lessons learned along the way. You can connect with Gary via the links below:

Instagram 👉🏻 https://www.instagram.com/gazlaybourne/

Linked-in 👉🏻 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-laybourne-5307697a/

CoreCore 👉🏻 https://coachcore.org.uk/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via coaches@aprace.club

In this conversation, Eric Anderson shares his extensive coaching journey, highlighting key experiences and influences that shaped his coaching philosophy.

He discusses the importance of adaptability in coaching, especially in different cultural contexts like Malaysia. Eric emphasizes the need for a supportive environment to retain young athletes and the significance of continuous learning for coaches.

He also delves into technical aspects of swimming, particularly breaststroke, and offers insights on how to help athletes break through performance plateaus. Ultimately, Eric advocates for a process-oriented approach to coaching success, focusing on long-term development rather than immediate results.

You can connect with Eric via the links below:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericandersonswim/

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-anderson-swim

Email: eric@makoapp.io

Website: ttps://makoswim.io/⁠

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via coaches@aprace.club

In this episode, Jake Gibbons shares his journey from being a competitive swimmer to a successful coach at the Bolles School, junior home to Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Murphy amongst many others.

He discusses the challenges of transitioning from athlete to coach, his coaching philosophy shaped by various influences, and the importance of building meaningful relationships with athletes. Jake highlights the legacy of the Bolles School in swimming, the significance of team culture, and the role of social media in modern coaching.

He also reflects on the differences between the US and international swimming systems, the balance of opportunities for young swimmers, and his personal definition of success in coaching.

You can connect with Jake via his fantastic Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/coach_jake_swim/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

In this episode, Victoria Jones, shares her insights on the biomechanics of underwater kicking, with Kevin and Ash asking so many questions to really get into what the research Victoria has worked on shows. Victoria is a Biomechanist and Performance Analyst with Aquatics GB, and has been with the organisation for 8 years now, commencing with her PhD in the key biomechanical indicators of underwater dolphin kick

She discusses the importance of individual techniques, mobility, and coordination in developing effective swimming skills. She also emphasises the need for a holistic approach to coaching, focusing on quality movement patterns and the integration of technology in training. She also addresses common myths in swimming technique and the benefits of short course training. The conversation highlights the significance of continuous learning and the evolving definition of success in coaching.

You can connect with Victoria here: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-victoria-jones-329208136

AP Race are also on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ap-race-holdings/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠coaches@aprace.club⁠⁠ and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/⁠

In this episode, we are joined by Alex Dawson, a seasoned swimming coach with a rich history in both the UK and Canada. Alex shares his journey from a competitive swimmer to a coach, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He reflects on the importance of patience, the need for continuous development, and the significance of understanding one's 'why' in coaching.

The conversation delves into the differences between the coaching systems in the UK and Canada, the importance of multi-sport participation for young athletes, and the strategies he employs to build a successful swimming program. Alex also addresses the imposter syndrome many coaches face and offers valuable advice for young coaches starting their careers.

You can connect with Alex on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-dawson-3b7831380/

AP Race are also on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ap-race-holdings/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠coaches@aprace.club⁠⁠ and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/⁠

In this episode, Mike Taylor, the director of swimming at the City of Sheffield, shares his journey from a young swimmer to a successful coach. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the culture of Sheffield, and the challenges faced by the club, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike emphasises the need for sustainability in coaching, the significance of partnerships for performance enhancement, and the importance of understanding athlete development, particularly for female swimmers. He also highlights the continuous learning process for coaches and the need to adapt coaching styles to meet the needs of athletes.

You can connect with Mike on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-taylor-1ab5b6165/?originalSubdomain=uk

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via coaches@aprace.club and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: https://plus.aprace.club/