85 extremely lucky swimmers (and dozens of parents) spent 4 spellbound hours with three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Josh Davis and current swimming superstar (and 2008 Olympic hopeful) Kate Zieglar at Morristown-Beard School on Oct 21, 2007. The Olympian Clinic was coordinated and underwritten by the Elite Swim Club Parents Organization.

Josh, who is also a world-class motivational speaker, keep swimmers and parents mesmerized with his mixture of stories, stroke technique tips, swimming, and life lesson advice. Kate, who had just arrived back from Germany where she set world records in both the 800 SCM free and 1500 SCM free, mingled freely with swimmers big and small, asking questions and pointing out stroke technique corrections. Pronouncing the two most important things in life were: 1) knowing that you are loved by your family and friends and 2) streamlining off your walls, Josh thoroughly entertained and fired-up our Elite swimmers. Josh told of his swimming experiences (he did not start swimming until he was 13!!! He once had a 7 year plateau before shattering his best time), asked the swimmer to unlock their “inter greatness” and advised each swimmer to be their best in everything they do every day (sounds like last year’s Elite white t-shirt!).

Kate talked about her difficulty in learning to not worry about her competition and to only concentrate on what she could control-that being her own performance. Kate also explained she was not always the fastest swimmer in the pool and that she improved by creating “small goals” such as: not being lapped in practice today and being the fastest swimmer in her lane today! Small goals lead to big gains, she advised.

Check out the feedback:

I wanted to reach out and say a great big “THANKS!!” to both of you for all your help and the “AWESOME” clinic. The kids are all energized by the session and even the parents are all so pumped! Bill and I are receiving emails and calls from families about what a wonderful experience it was for our swimmers and for those parents who stayed. Josh - you have such incredible enthusiasm and energy for the sport and your ability to make connections with the individual swimmers was just tremendous. You even remembered so many of their names!! Kate was also amazing - she is so personable and an impressive speaker for someone who is only 19 - and this was only her third or fourth clinic! I am excited just thinking about the prospect of welcoming you back to Elite next year with another Olympian! Also, please send me your full bio packet for the corporate sessions that you mentioned - I will do my best to help market you for my business group’s upcoming conference in Austin in March ‘08.–Parent

If there was a highlight of the afternoon, it was when Josh and Kate raced each swimmer in a 25 free. Several Elite swimmers “won” the 25 as the Olympians gave everyone a bit of a head start! In addition, all swimmers received autographed pictures on both stars and were able to hold a real Olympic Goal Medal!!!–Coach