Michael Phelps swimming programme set to make a huge splash in Goa

PANJIM: Michael Phelps Swimming, a global swimming program for all ages and abilities and taught in over 30 states in the US and over 20 countries on 6 continents, was recently launched in Goa beginning operations at various locations across the State. Crown Casino, Club De Goa and Hotel Germany are a few of the esteemed partners for Michael Phelps Swim School in Goa.

The announcement was made by Ms. Hilary Phelps of Michael Phelps Swimming, and Ms. Jolene Blanche of Terrapin Swimming Academy last month. The Michael Phelps Swimming program is brought into India by Waveline Sports and taken into expansion with appointing Terrapin Swimming Academy in Goa.

Ms. Jolene Blanche of Terrapin Swimming Academy started swimming at very young age of 2 and has been coaching for the last 15 year. She swam for Goa and in the nationals events. She began her coaching career with Nishas school, Goa.  She is currently a swimming trainer at the Crown Hotel for the last 4 years and recently underwent a rigorous training in America to learn the MPSS method of training.

She is now the Aquatic Director of Terrapin Swimming Academy which was established 3 years ago.

"My mother use to tell me I began swimming at the age of 4. I trained at the SAG and the coach was impressed with my brother he was a brilliant swimmer. But I think I performed better than my brother.

"I participated in the school level long distance and sprinting. There after studies was my main focus. Competitive swimming took a back seat.

"I took to coaching six years ago. I liked the beach and swimming. In summer my mother drew my attention to Michael Phelps Academy opening in Mumbai and I then made a call to express my wishes to bring the Academy and that is how it happened," informed Jolene.

Michael Phelps is the owner, President & CEO of Michael Phelps Swimming. Phelps is passionate about growing the sport of swimming and getting more children in the water.

As a child, he learnt to swim in a school in North Baltimore, called North Baltimore Swim School. It was there that he learned water safety and overcame his fear of water. Now, after many accomplishments, both in and out of the water, he is able to invest in the very program that taught him. By launching Michael Phelps Swimming, he advanced his dream to grow the sport of swimming and promote health and active lifestyles.

Cathy Bennett, who was Michael Phelps first swim instructor, has carefully constructed this program over 30 years. With degrees in child psychology and early childhood education, she has developed a program that focuses on building comfort, confidence and a feeling for the water in each participant.

"It's the only structured swim school. The coaching that we see now is that who ever can swims begins training swimmers. But the Michael Phelps training is about 4 B's that is balance, buoyancy, breathing control and body position. These are 4 basic steps for any swimmer. We do not push any swimmers we move around according to the swimmers capacity," informed Jolene.

"Something that I am more focused is about competitive swimming. My academy is focused on that in Goa.

"Some people are natural swimmers, everything comes easy. But it's not necessary that person will excel in competitive swimming," said the Aquatic Director of Terrapin Swimming Academy.

 “This is a wonderful opportunity for Goans to learn to swim and this program aims to provide aspiring swimmers the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the sport with a proven and successful method. We are excited to see MPS program across 3 locations in Goa and we are looking forward to train 3000 participants through this program at our locations. Currently our focus remains to work on grass root levels to have a strong foundation of Swimmers to get ready at competitive levels for the nation,” said Ms. Jolene.

Michael Phelps Swimming Training Programs involves learning the international way of swimming through MP Swimming. Only 6 children per coach makes learning more personalized and safe. The range of training programs are for all ages (6 months old onwards) and needs coolest workout option to keep children healthy and flexible.

"I think swimming has a great future for Goa. It's now on a basic level in Goa. People will now get to know of international level swimming. Michaels Phelps is training for Rio and is in Arizona but his sister, Ms. Hilary Phelps was down here in Goa to oversee the training," said Jolene.

"Anyone can join the Terrapin Swimming Academy. There are 4 levels of training with 12 classes for each training. We have yearly memberships too.

"This is an ideal membership plan where a child will learn the right techniques. I will choose swimmers who will look to perfect themselves for competitive swimming.

"Swimmers from Maharashtra are currently interested in my academy. I could ask the Sports Authority of Goa to look at my students for competitive swimming. If the swimmers are really good I am sure we will get the sponsors and compete in international events.

"Micahel Phelps is a global name and I am sure there will be something good with the swimming school,"said a beaming Ms. Jolene.

"A swimmer has to be determined to be someone and excel that is the driving force but what I have is the technique to use to propel a swimmer to glory.

"If you need to be a competitive swimmer you need to master the techniques. Swimming competitions are happening all the time. Maharashtra have good swimmers and so also Kerala and Karnataka. I will choose swimmers who will be ready to compete," said Ms. Jolene on an optimistic note.

Ms. Hilary Phelps of Michael Phelps Swimming, earlier stated that her immediate responsibility is to teach the swim instructors the Michael Phelps way of swimming. She added “The Michael Phelps instructors are what make this swim school special.

Every MP Swim School instructor is trained in a proprietary MP Swim School instructor course. This ensures consistency in teaching the MPSS way of swimming. Every swimmer has a different goal in the water. Recognizing this fundamental principle is what makes MPS instructors and students successful”.

“We believe that quality instruction is not just based on the basic motor skills of kicking, stroking, and rhythmic breathing. In addition, we feel that our swimmers need to understand the properties of the water (what we call the hows and the whys). We feel it is paramount to develop the whole person, mentally and physically. This is why our participants, in addition to learning personal safety, stroke technique, and rescue skills, also learn how we float, why we need to have certain body positions, why we breathe rhythmically, how we achieve balance in the water, and why we need to feel the water; just to name a few of the things we teach,” informed Phelps.