Swimming World Presents “Q&A with Jean-Paul Gowdy”

Q&A with Coach Jean-Paul Gowdy

With his men’s and women’s swimming teams placing eighth and ninth, respectively, at last year’s NCAA Division III Championships, Jean-Paul Gowdy has his Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens on an ascendant path.

Q. SWIMMING WORLD: How did you become a swimmer?

A. COACH JEAN-PAUL GOWDY: I grew up on Prince Edward Island in Eastern Canada and wanted to be like everyone else and get serious about hockey. I also swam at the YMCA on Sundays. For time and money reasons, my parents made me choose between club hockey and club swim. I have no recollection why I chose swim, but I’m very happy about that decision!

SW: Who were some of your coaching influences?
JPG: My only coach until I left for college was volunteer Dave Campbell at the Charlottetown Bluephins. His commitment to the athletes and swimming was incredible. I still hear his voice in my head 30 years later.
Mary-Ellen MacLaughlin was my college coach for two years. Her approach, support and drive remain with me. Mike Blondal at the Canadian National Swim Center treated us like the adults. Rather than motivate, he guided and supported those of us who were motivated. Other coaches of note were Matt Kredich and Josh Stern with the Ocean State Squids, Mike Bottom and Jim Steen at the Kenyon Sprint Camp, Pete Solomon at Middlebury, John Taffe at Springfield College and Kim Lessard at Washington College.

To get to know more about coach Gowdy,
check out the March 2019 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!

Swimming World subscribers can download this issue in the Swimming World Vault!

[PHOTO CREDIT: PETER H. BICK]

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FEATURES

016 BUCKLE UP!
by Dan D’Addona
It has been four in a row for the Longhorns, but last year was the closest yet—with no less than three teams having a mathematical shot to win the team title heading into the final relay! Expect more of the same at this year’s men’s NCAAs.

020 STILL STANFORD
by Dan D’Addona
Stanford dominated last year’s women’s Division I NCAAs, and even though the Cardinal are favored to win their third straight championship, this year’s meet should be different.

023 ELITE TO REPEAT?
by Andy Ross and Cathleen Pruden
In NCAA Division II and III swimming and diving, the same elite teams seem to battle it out for the national championship each year. Both the Queens women’s and men’s squads have realistic shots at winning five titles in a row at D-IIs, while in D-III, Emory’s women will be looking for their 10th straight title, and Denison’s men are poised to win their third championship in four years.

026 BLUE-COLLAR SWIMMER
by David Rieder
Cal’s Andrew Seliskar has put in the hard work to enable him to swim at a higher level. He loves the sport, and he knows that if he wants to be successful at swimming, he has to be fully invested into it.

COACHING

010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: GUS STAGER
by Michael J. Stott

014 SPECIAL SETS: SEASON-LONG AND CHAMPIONSHIP PREP FOR 10-AND-UNDERS
by Michael J. Stott
When an elite swimmer shines, sunlight occasionally falls on the athlete’s coach. In the ensuing excitement, what is often overlooked is the contribution made years earlier by the 10-and-under coach who set the foundation for success and possible stardom by teaching proper mechanics, motivation and a love of the sport.

030 WHAT COACHES CAN LEARN FROM SWIMMERS (Part 1)
by Michael J. Stott
At first blush, education might appear to be a one-way street. Teachers teach, students learn. Same with sports—coaches give instruction, athletes absorb and, hopefully, execute. But time on the job often reveals a different dynamic. In the first of a two-part series, Swimming World shares epiphanies where swimmer interaction fundamentally altered coaching behavior.

040 Q&A WITH COACH JEAN-PAUL GOWDY
by Michael J. Stott

042 HOW THEY TRAIN: MADDIE KAUAHI
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING

013 DRYSIDE TRAINING: EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SERIES—DUMBBELLS
by J.R. Rosania

JUNIOR SWIMMER

045 UP & COMERS: DANIEL BRANON
by Taylor Brien

COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
009 BEYOND THE YARDS
019 OFFICIAL WORD
025 DID YOU KNOW? TRACY CAULKINS
032 2019 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY
044 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
046 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT

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Swimming World Presents “Q&A with Jean-Paul Gowdy”

Q&A with Coach Jean-Paul Gowdy

Get Swimming World Magazine and Swimming World Biweekly FREE When You Become A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

Want More? Subscribe With This Special 2-Year Offer!

New! 1-Year Digital Only Subscription for just $39.95 Order Now!

Get Swimming World Magazine and Swimming World Biweekly FREE When You
Become A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame