Doug Hose - Head Coach

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My journey to head coach has been unconventional. I started in banking! I retrained as a Primary School teacher while volunteering as a swim coach at my children’s club in Dunstable.

With 15 years of swim coaching experience and L3 coaching qualification, I became head coach at Berkhamsted.

My coaching philosophy is simple: "Swim fast, have fun." This rests on three pillars: Attendance, Attitude, and Attention to detail.

Attendance: Regular training is crucial for progress.

Attitude: Engagement and motivation are key.

Attention to detail: Mastery of precise movements and building endurance through distance and intensity is essential.

Swimming is unique, demanding more muscle groups and efficient breathing. Setting goals, providing technical advice, and monitoring progress fosters swimmers’ ownership. We build team spirit through squad training and competing in team galas, teaching swimmers that they achieve more when they support each other. 

Fun is essential—happy swimmers are fast swimmers!

Geoff Wood - Coach

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My passion for swimming began in 1993 with my children's lessons. Learning to swim at 37, I transitioned to swimming instruction. I taught for Dacorum BC and Barracudas swim school before becoming an Assistant Coach at our club. When the Head Coach resigned in 2004, I stepped up.

I earned my Level 2 Teaching qualification in 2004 and Level 3 Coaching in 2007. By 2013, we had grown Berkhamsted Sports Centre SC from 25 to 200 members and merged with Berkhamsted Barracudas. 

I'm passionate about coaching skills and enjoy watching swimmers of all ages develop. My greatest satisfaction is seeing swimmers grow into well-rounded individuals. I encourage them to focus on personal progress, emphasising skills and technique over early victories.

My goal is to foster a lifelong love of the water.

Andy Besent - Coach

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Tracy van Deventer - Teacher 

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Hi, I'm Tracy, and I coach the Academy/Group 1 Swimmers. I'm
really passionate about stroke technique, and since I teach many children from Berkhamsted school's or through Stages swimming, I hope having a familiar face poolside makes their transition to the club easier.

Swimming has always been my passion. My dad tells me I completed my 25m swim when I was just 3 years old and never looked back! I continued my swimming journey at Loughborough University and now swim for the club in the 45-49 age group.  I achieved Gold in the 200m Fly at the British Champs in 2019 and placed 5th in both the 200 Fly and 400m IM at the European Champs in 2022.

I've been teaching swimming since 2006, and I feel incredibly lucky to have a job that aligns with my passion. 

Sarah Llewhellyn - Assistant Coach - [email protected]

Hayley Fahey - Assistant Coach

Emma Jenkin - Assistant Coach - [email protected]

Ian Hobdell - Land Training Coach

                          [email protected]                                    

With over 30 years' experience in the Health & Fitness industry, I specialise as a Prescriptive Exercise Consultant, crafting tailored training schemes to help athletes reach their full potential.

Developing a competitive swimmer requires more than just pool workouts. While water resistance aids muscle development, it can't match the benefits of land-based training. Strength and flexibility training on land are crucial for injury prevention and overall conditioning.

Dry land training comprising various cardiovascular and strength exercises enhances a swimmer's performance, including explosive power off the blocks. It's essential to recognise that swimming demands unique strength and conditioning approaches, focusing on building strength while maintaining flexibility and cardiovascular fitness.                        

Land Training is open to all swimmers & parents Thursdays 6-7pm

Look forward to seeing you there!