Four of Harbour Amateur Swimming Club’s leading coaches have returned from California after attending the prestigious 2026 ASCA Pacific Swim Coaches Clinic. Shona Palmer, Kris Cash, Belinda Morrison, and Caroline Black were among an elite group of international delegates in Napa Valley for the three-day intensive course, designed to bridge the gap between age-group foundations and world-class performance.
The clinic, held at the Napa Valley Marriott, featured a "who’s who" of the swimming world, providing the Bermudian contingent with direct access to modern training philosophies and technical innovations.
The headline sessions were delivered by the legendary Bob Bowman, the longtime mentor of Michael Phelps and the current Director of Swimming at the University of Texas. Bowman, who recently led Arizona State to a historic NCAA title, shared his specialized knowledge on IM training and the essentials of season planning.
His presentations focused on the "Event Families" theory and the delicate balance of volume and intensity required to transition a swimmer from club level to the collegiate and elite international stage. For the Harbour coaches, Bowman’s insights provided a blueprint for managing the development of Bermuda’s future medalists.
Technical precision was another cornerstone of the weekend, with sessions led by Russell Mark, the world’s foremost authority on technique analysis. Mark, who has spent two decades working with the US Olympic team and stars like Katie Ledecky, conducted deep-dive sessions into stroke mechanics.
His expertise in underwater video analysis and data-driven feedback was a major highlight. Mark’s passion for evolving the "language of coaching" gave the Harbour team fresh perspectives on how to communicate complex technical adjustments to younger swimmers.
The curriculum covered a vast range of developmental topics, including:
10 and Under Planning: Specialized training and management for the youngest competitive groups.
Club to College Transitions: Strategic advice on preparing athletes for the rigors of US collegiate swimming.
Staff and Athlete Retention: Building a sustainable and supportive club culture.
By investing in this high-level education, Harbour’s coaching staff continues to strengthen the island’s aquatic infrastructure. The invaluable content from Napa will be immediately implemented back at the pool deck in Bermuda, helping local swimmers reach their personal goals and represent the island on the global stage.
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