News

2014-09-05 12:04:07

We are extremely pleased to announce the arrival of John Vinson to the coaching team with the Competitive Swimming Squad. John has kindly put together a Q&A for you to get to know him a little better........

Most of the senior swimmers would have worked with John Vinson at eXcel over the past couple of years with John leading many of the sessions, as well as assisting the various swimming Olympians who came to guest coach the Kent elite swimmers. Others will recognise him from galas, having led successful squads from both Herne Bay and Margate.

Q. What is your background in coaching?
My background is as a leadership and performance coach working with individuals and teams from different backgrounds to help them achieve their potential. This led me to becoming (amongst other qualifications) a Master NLP Practitioner. My first introduction to working with swimmers was running dry-land sessions working on goal-setting, confidence and the mental preparation required for the challenge of training and competitive swimming.
My daughters both swam at national level and in a moment of weakness I volunteered to help poolside. Then the desire to be more helpful led me to progress through the ASA Qualifications at L1 then L2, I am now keen to achieve my L3. I’ve held roles as Performance Manager and as Head Coach at Herne Bay and most recently Margate. I’ve also been teaching Stages 5-7 at Tides Leisure Centre.
Q. What do you believe are the key attributes of a successful swimmer?
I recognise that success means different things to different people, I personally like the definition of success being ‘someone who is working towards their own goals and doing so with the best of their ability’. With this in mind, I like the 3A approach of: Attitude, Application and Attendance
I believe that everything begins with bringing the right attitude to swimming and although people could debate long and hard as to what the right attitude is... with everyone having their own opinion; all I’m sure would recognise a great attitude when they saw it.
It’s interesting that a group of swimmers can receive the same instructions, and yet so few apply what they hear to their swimming even when their coaches aren’t watching, attitude again but then application turns thoughts into reality. 
And attendance not only comes when a swimmer turns up on time to all of their sessions, but also really counts by turning up by not by just being there, but being there in the right frame of mind. Attendance is so often down to a swimmer having a great support crew around them, support which can’t be under-rated.
Success is long-term and for me I feel it is important that we recognise that enjoying the journey brings a greater success.
Q. Aside from swimming, what other interests’ do you have?
I love all sports, and have a passion for adventure. I know how important it is to step outside of our comfort zones and I love spending time with my family and friends on some challenge or other. I am also a Team Leader for the Prince’s Trust helping young people take their next steps in life.

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