Paseo Aquatics Hires Coach Marco Bellardi to Lead New International Competitive Training Program

Photo Courtesy: Paseo Aquatics

Paseo Aquatics is pleased to announce the appointment of Coach Marco Bellardi as the Head Age Group Coach and Co-Director of the Paseo Aquatics International Training Program. With an illustrious coaching career spanning multiple continents and a steadfast dedication to developing national and Olympic-level swimmers, Bellardi brings invaluable expertise to this pivotal role.

Bellardi’s journey to Paseo Aquatics is highlighted by numerous notable achievements. Before joining Paseo, he served as Head Age Group Coach at Canyons Aquatics in California, where he excelled in talent development. Prior to that, he was the Head Coach at Midtown Weston Aquatics in Florida, where he grew the team from three swimmers to 120 in two years, achieving US Swimming’s ‘Silver Club’ status – ranking as a Top 5 Club in Florida and a Top 100 club nationally. Bellardi also made significant contributions in South America, coaching national teams and Olympic swimmers in Venezuela and Panama and leading Youth Open Water National Teams for Niagara, Chile, and Peru.

Drawing on his extensive background in swimming technique, physical education, and biomechanics, Bellardi is set to co-lead the Paseo Aquatics International Training Program, which aims to elevate the level of aquatics athletes worldwide. “I am thrilled to join Paseo Aquatics and help lead this transformative initiative,” said Bellardi. “The International Training Program represents an unparalleled opportunity to empower aspiring athletes from diverse backgrounds around the world and guide them towards realizing their full potential on the international stage.”

The Paseo Aquatics International Training Program is designed to identify and support promising athletes who may lack adequate resources and infrastructure in their home countries. Selected participants will embark on a four-week journey of intensive training and development at the Paseo Aquatics Training Center in Valencia, Calif. The program offers host-family boarding, expert coaching, and a supportive environment tailored to the unique needs of each athlete.

“Paseo Aquatics has been committed to fostering diversity and excellence in aquatics since our inception in 2010,” said Chris Dahowski, Head Coach and Co-Founder of Paseo Aquatics. “The launch of our International Training Program formalizes our commitment and underscores our dedication to nurturing diverse talent from around the globe and providing athletes with the tools they need to succeed at the highest levels of competition both in the pool and in life.”

This summer, national team swimmers from around the globe are invited to apply to the program and make their way to Valencia, CA to train under the guidance of Coach Bellardi, Coach Dahowski, and Coach Hoyt, with a focus on preparing for the upcoming LA 2028 Olympic Games. Among the selected athletes is Roger Moscoe, a promising young swimmer from Panama’s national team, who expressed his excitement about joining the program. “It’s a dream opportunity to swim here in Los Angeles,” said Moscoe. “I can’t wait to see how much I can grow as an athlete under Paseo’s mentorship.”

“Swimming means everything to me; I was born for it,” said Israeli swimmer Loraine Cleveland Lungu, who is currently training with Paseo. “When I came here, I jumped in a beautiful pool and immediately saw how the coaches care about the little things and see every swimmer on their own. I think it will be an amazing feeling to represent my country.”

“The effects of Coach Chris and Paseo on my career were beyond amazing,” said Swiss National Champion Manuel Leuthard, who trained with Paseo Aquatics in 2022. “I was training with some of the best coaches and teams in the world; and when I met Chris, there was really a match. He deeply cares about his athletes and really gets the most out of you. Even with myself, he was able to push me above limits I didn’t even know I had. I went on to win nine more Swiss championship titles.”

Paseo is known for its highly selective hiring process, only selecting the best coaches to train and develop its competitive athletes, most of whom have national and Olympic level experience. Life at Paseo Aquatics is characterized by a commitment to holistic development, where athletes receive personalized attention and support to excel both in and out of the pool. Through workshops, seminars, and one-on-one sessions, participants are equipped with the skills and resilience needed to navigate the challenges of competitive sports and life beyond athletics.

“I am honored to lend my swimming and land-based training expertise to the Paseo Aquatics International Training Program,” stated Paseo’s Associate Head Coach Trevor Hoyt, who was ranked 7th in the U.S. and 25th in the World for 200M Breaststroke. “My journey in swimming, from competing at Cal Berkeley to participating in two Olympic trials, has instilled in me a deep passion for the sport and a unique approach to coaching. I believe Paseo is uniquely positioned to help these remarkable swimmers from around the world achieve their full potential and reach their dreams.”

With the launch of the Paseo Aquatics International Training Program, Marco Bellardi and the dedicated team at Paseo Aquatics are poised to make a profound impact on the future of aquatic sports. As athletes from around the world converge in Valencia, CA, they’ll embark on a journey of growth, camaraderie, and pursuit of excellence, guided by a shared vision of achieving greatness in the pool and beyond.

For more information about Paseo Aquatics or to apply for the International Training Program, please visit https://www.paseoaquatics.org/international.

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Paseo Aquatics. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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