Our Coach:

With over 10 years of experience in the swimming world, Coach Galen is a dedicated and passionate advocate for aquatic sports. As Head Coach of Aqua Culture’s USA Team, he has a proven track record of developing swimmers of all ages and abilities. He started this USA team with the intention to provide current swim school families access to the “next level” of swimming without the commitment required from the elite year-round swim teams. With an emphasis on building a well-rounded athlete, he continues to attract multi-sport athletes in addition to those who want to make swimming their primary sport. Being based out of a swim school makes this a technique-focused club that prioritizes skill and finesse over typical high-volume endurance programs. Under his guidance, the club has developed swimmers who perform highly at a state and regional level, qualifying for meets like Sectionals and Futures.

As a competitive swimmer from the age of five who continues to participate in Masters Swimming, Coach Galen brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to his coaching. His love for the sport is strong and his commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment is evident in the enthusiasm of his swimmers. He works full-time teaching nursing at Harford Community College and lives in Harford County with his wife and dog. He enjoys going to the gym, swimming, spending time with friends and family, and continuing his education in grad school. 

Of course. Here is a more formalized and generalized version of the team information that can be posted on the ACSS website for any family to view.

 

Welcome to ACSS 

ACSS is a competitive USA team based in Forest Hill, Maryland. Our program is built on a unique philosophy that distinguishes us from other clubs, focusing on technical mastery, long-term athlete development, and a supportive, close-knit team culture.

 

Our Philosophy: Smart Training, Powerful Results

Born from a successful swim school, ACSS was created to offer a unique competitive pathway for dedicated learn-to-swim customers who wanted to swim more without the demands of some other training programs. We have since evolved into a team that prioritizes smart, technique-focused training over sheer volume. We believe that building a strong technical and athletic foundation is the most effective way to unlock a swimmer's ultimate potential and foster a lifelong love for the sport.

 

Training Methodology

Our coaching is centered on developing efficient, powerful, and intelligent swimmers. We achieve this through a multi-faceted approach:

  • Emphasis on Technique: The cornerstone of our program is a primary focus on proper stroke mechanics, starts, turns, and race strategy. We believe technique is the key to sustained success.

  • Emphasis on Speed & Power: Our training is designed to improve speed and power in the water. We limit high-volume, aerobic-focused training in our younger age groups, introducing it progressively as swimmers mature physically and are ready for higher workloads in their high school years.

  • Modern Coaching Tools: We utilize a variety of tools to enhance learning, including regular use of equipment and video analysis to provide swimmers with immediate, visual feedback.

  • Consistent Feedback Loop: Our coaches are dedicated to providing constant, constructive feedback during every practice to guide and refine each swimmer's development.

 

A Focus on Long-Term Athlete Development

We champion a holistic approach to athlete development. Our practice schedule is structured to be effective while still allowing swimmers to lead balanced lives.

  • The Multi-Sport Athlete: We encourage our swimmers, particularly in the pre-high school years, to participate in other sports and activities. This builds overall athleticism, prevents sport-specific burnout, and creates more well-rounded individuals.

  • High School and Beyond: Our program prepares athletes for the next level. As they enter high school, our swimmers have the foundation to either specialize and pursue swimming at its highest levels or successfully balance swimming with other primary commitments.

 

A Unique Team Culture

At ACSS, you are not just another swimmer in a lane; you are a vital member of our family.

  • Cohesive Coaching Structure: Our Head Coach, Galen Ziegler, oversees and coaches all training groups. This model fosters exceptional trust and strong coach-athlete relationships, ensuring every swimmer receives consistent, high-quality instruction throughout their journey.

  • Character and Teamwork: Our culture is our greatest strength. We are committed to developing not only fast swimmers but also disciplined individuals of high character who understand the value of hard work, perseverance, and being a supportive teammate.

 

Competition Schedule

Our competition schedule is designed to provide regular opportunities for racing and development without extreme travel. Each month, our swimmers typically participate in:

  • One (1) Intra-Squad Meet: Held at our home pool at Harford Community College (HCC), these team-only meets are tailored to our training goals and help swimmers build confidence and racing skills in a familiar environment.

  • One (1) USA Swimming Meet: We compete in one sanctioned meet per month against other teams in the region. These meets provide excellent exposure to a higher level of competition. The format varies, including both single-day and multi-day championship-style meets. All in-season meets are drivable in about an hour or less. 

 

Is ACSS the Right Fit for You?

We are looking for dedicated swimmers and families who value technical excellence, a positive and challenging training environment, and a strong sense of team community. If our philosophy resonates with you, we invite you to contact us to learn more about our program or to schedule a swimmer evaluation.