If you’re a new coach, this is your unfair advantage…

The path to elite swim coaching isn’t what you think—mentors, conversations, and unspoken rules are more powerful than any degree or software.

Episode #84 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide explores truths behind elite swim coaching with insights from a 2023 international survey of 123 top coaches. Discover how these pros actually learn, coach, and use (or ignore) technology. And, we wonder have things changed so much in the past few years.

• Peer‑to‑peer learning dominates – 89% say conversations with other coaches are their primary knowledge source.
• Mentorship matters – 81% have a mentor; over three‑quarters rate that relationship as “extremely influential.”
• Coaching philosophies evolve – 97% report their approach changes over time, driven by reflection and “episodic” experiences.
• Technical expertise over communication – Hard‑skill knowledge tops the list of coach priorities; communication ranks near the bottom.
• Tech and education split – Only ~52% use performance‑analysis software, while university‑educated coaches are far more likely to read research, adopt LTAD models, and employ advanced tools.

You’ll be shocked how elite swim coaches actually learn—it's not through certifications, but a surprising underground network of mentorship and peer wisdom.

Even though swimming feels ultra‑individual in the water, self‑discipline (62.3%) and self‑confidence (58.4%) outrank “team mentality” as the top life‑skills coaches want their athletes to develop. In a sport where you’re literally alone in a lane, those inner traits are the real secret sauce.

Discipline ranks high. Communication ranks low. The world’s top swim coaches are flipping everything we thought we knew about leadership on its head.

1. Soak in the episode now.
2. Then join the conversation – hit reply with your thoughts, questions, or a coaching story you want us to explore next.
3. Become an ISCA member (just $75) for unlimited access to our Global Library at Read.SwimISCA.org, exclusive content, and the learning laboratory we’re building with WAFSU.org. 

Thanks for being part of the swim‑coach community. Your curiosity fuels the next lap!

Stay warm and buoyant,

Mark Rauterkus
Host, Heavy Or Not – The OG Swim Guide
International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA)

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Check out this episode!