Coaches Corner: The six traits that make a great swimmer

By Olivier Renaud

In my 12 years as a swim coach, I’ve had the time to observe and reflect on the athletic journey of many swimmers. From the development levels to those qualifying for regional, provincial, national and even international events, there is a common thread on what makes a great swimmer. And believe it or not, it isn’t genetics. It’s not about being the tallest, or making every single practice, though both of those things do help. It turns out what makes a great swimmer is born out of strong traits that anyone can build, develop and refine.

All successful swimmers, regardless of the level of their accomplishments, have the same six traits that make a great swimmer.

Adaptability

Sometimes things don’t happen as planned. From injuries before a big meet, to group changes and last-minute relay line-up swaps, a certain amount of resiliency and adaptability is required in swimming. Being adaptable to change, and to feedback, ultimately makes a stronger swimmer. Setbacks will happen, but being able to adapt, change and re-focus on goals means great swimmers are able to positively overcome obstacles. I always say that I value the development of adaptable swimmers, not adapted swimmers.

Self-Discipline

Being a great swimmer requires a lot of self-discipline. Swimming is a demanding sport, both physically and mentally. To be a great swimmer, you need to understand the importance of all the inputs that make a good athlete – hydration, nutrition, hard work, rest, dedication and sometimes making tough choices. Great swimmers understand that they must balance competing priorities, and apply great self-discipline, to succeed as a swimmer, ensuring that they are making the best personal choices to achieve their desired goals.

Perseverance

Really great swimmers have plateaus. It’s a natural part of the process, but how they handle those plateaus, especially while others may thrive, is an important indicator of long-term success. Powering through issues head on with an optimistic attitude and support for the process allows swimmers to break through their plateaus and accomplish their goals. Sometimes it can be hard to see others having success in the pool while they may struggle. But perseverance means swimmers can celebrate others success while pushing through their own roadblocks to ultimately become a better athlete.

Accountability

A strong indicator of success is if an athlete can accept feedback, and even criticism, with a desire to get better and learn from the experience. Being accountable for your mistakes is an important step in the process of athletic growth. Blaming others when things go wrong means an athlete isn’t taking ownership of their role in the training program. Successful swimmers understand that they are accountable for their actions, and that accepting feedback and applying it enhances their athletic performance and aids in their achievements.

Motivation

Motivation to be great is born within. It can’t come from external places, like pressure from parents, a desire to please coaches, or special treats or prizes for accomplishments. Motivation bubbles up inside an athlete with their desire to be better; better than their personal bests, but also better than competitors. Great swimmers are driven by their internal motivation, and that makes a successful long-term swimmer.

Humility

Great swimmers understand that there is no I in team, and they give credit where credit is due. It's wonderful – and important – to be confident. But it backfires if your confidence morphs into being self-centred. Truly great athletes understand that it’s their training partners, coaches, their club and of course, their parents and guardians, who contribute to their success. A successful swimmer gives credit to others and stays humble, because they understand they were never alone on their journey. After all, this is why they are in a team and a club sport.

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