Anyone done a swim clinic with Sheila Taormina?
I got an email about this, and signed up to do it tomorrow afternoon (Andover, MA). Anyone done one of these before? I'll write up a short report after the clinic.
Mike
The only woman in the world to have competed in three different sports (swimming, triathlon and modern pentathlon) in four consecutive Olympics (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
Swim Clinic Focus
The focus of the swim clinic is on the vital aspect of the freestyle stroke - the underwater high elbow position that is the source of propulsion for a swimmer. Sheila, the smallest swimmer to win Olympic Gold since 1920, is proof that technique is more important than size. She teaches with understanding and laughter. Informative, fun and about more than just swimming... it’s about the thought processes that make champions.
Swim Clinic Format
- Classroom: Freestyle stroke instruction and Q & A session (approx 40 min)
- Dryland: Develop strength & flexibility required for fast swimming (approx 20 min)
- In-Water: Stroke Instruction with individualized feedback (approx 60 min)
Swim Clinic Dates/Times
Monday, Dec 12 6:30 – 8:30 PM YMCA pool - Andover, MA
Tuesday, Dec 13 1:00 – 3:00 PM YMCA pool - Andover, MA
Tuesday, Dec 13 6:30 – 8:30 PM YMCA pool - Andover, MA
Swim Clinic Size: limited to first 20 registrants.
Clinic Cost: $85 each; Must pay in advance to secure your registration. NO REFUNDS.
Register: at Andover/North Andvover YMCA, 165 Haverhill St, 978-685-3541 or online at www.mvymca.org.
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BACKGROUND
Sheila Taormina, the smallest swimmer (160 cm) to win Olympic gold since 1920, is also the only woman in the world to have competed in three different sports (swimming, triathlon and modern pentathlon) in four consecutive Olympics (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008).
Her first two attempts to qualify for the Olympics in swimming (1988 and 1992), came up short, during what were considered her "peak" years. With her eyes set on the possibilities of 1996 Olympics, she trained before and after work with her small hometown swim team in Livonia, Michigan.
There were no corporate endorsements fueling the effort - just a plan, some hard work, and a coach who believed along with her. In time, Sheila grew to become Olympic Gold Medalist in the 4x200M freestyle, an ITU World Champion in Triathlons and the World Cup standings leader in a third sport, Modern Pentathlon.
Numerous challenges accompanied her venture, challenges Sheila knew were there - that she had only three years to learn 3 of the 5 sports in the pentathlon, that she would be just months shy of her 40th birthday in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and that her small size would, once again, not play to her advantage. Amidst these challenges, Sheila set out to shatter the paradigms, This is not the "rise to the top quickly and make millions" story. It is the "work the best you can with what you have, and never give-up" story. In the end, Sheila Taormina has experienced six completely different disciplines on the Olympic stage - swimming, cycling, running, pistol shooting, fencing, and equestrian show jumping. Her perspective on human potential, and performance is unparalleled.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
The only woman to compete in three different sports in different Olympiads
2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, Pentathlon, 19th place (1st place in swimming and equestrian)
2004 Olympic Games, Athens, Triathlon, 23rd place
2004 World Champion, Triathlon
2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Triathlon, 6th place
1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta, Swimming, Gold medal in 4 x 200M freestyle relay
Comments
That looks awesome, and she's an absolutely incredible athlete. The high-elbow focus can't be beat and is something that many people don't do well. Can't wait to hear how the seminar goes!