Social Kick

Kaitlin Sandeno

DC Trident coach and Olympic multi-medalist Kaitlin Sandeno joins us for a virtual hangout. How much would she give up to get Dressel on her team? "Everyone." Kaitlin gives us the inside scoop on how the idea of a league was kicked around in swimming circles before finally coming to fruition, how she got involved as a GM, and what life is like at the helm of a professional swimming team. Kaitlin self proclaims she would have been a stellar pickup for an ISL team in her hey-day as one of the most versatile distance swimmers ever. We don't disagree, and we hope you have as much fun listening as we did with this conversation.

Cyndi Gallagher on ISL, UCLA and Equality in Swimming

Longtime UCLA Women’s Head Coach and DC Trident Head Coach Cyndi Gallagher joins the guys fresh on the heels of ISL Season 2 to give her take on the impact of the rules changes and how the timing of the ISL league releasing these changes impacted teams (it was AFTER rosters were finalized!). We get into all sorts of ISL topics: recruiting and a potential draft, lineup strategy, free agency losses & key missing pieces, being on an island for 6weeks and much more. We also wind back the clock on UCLA swimming to talk Ron Ballatore, Brian Goodell, and the 1994 infamous cut of the men’s program. Finally and importantly we discuss the lack of women coaches at the NCAA and ISL level, and what it takes to change it.

Global Swimming Fan Forum on the ISL Season 2

The Social Kick guys are joined by swim nerds from around the globe to discuss the Grand Final of ISL Season 2 and reflect on the the league overall after two full seasons in the books. No punches are pulled. We prefer laughs aplenty and opinions raw. You don’t want to miss this one!

Sergio López Miró, Olympic swimmer and coach

This is a guy you want to sit next to on the pool deck to listen to him talk. Olympic bronze medalist as a swimmer who went on to develop multiple Olympic gold medalists as a coach. He's worked with or swam for some of the biggest names in swimming history, and when it's all said and done, his may outshine them all. Sergio has a story about everything, and we were lucky to share a conversation with him to hear a few. 

Zach Apple on ISL and his stellar rise to the top of world sprinting

Fresh off his stellar 2nd season with the DC Trident, Zach Apple joins us and gives his take on season 2, the bubble, how much money he made, feelings about knocking our 45-second 100 freestyles, playing poker with Chad le Clos, and how to make the ISL more exciting for the average sports fan. 'Zapple' then brings us through his incredible rise as he only started swimming consistently while in high school, then rockets through the NCAA, Team USA, and is now one of the preeminent sprinters vying for Olympic gold. Enjoy!

E63- Week 1 Recap of ISL Season 2

After 2 matches and 4 great days of racing in Budapest, we get together to discuss a few things that stood out. Jackpots. Who faded the worst. Standout swims. Disappointing swims. Best Performance. Lose the 400s? Lose a relay? Diversity. Money.  Finally, we look at Latin American swimming with two guests on Instagram Live. One is Lane Four Podcast and the other a former Mexican swimmer.

Byron MacDonald on Canadian Swimming and the Toronto Titans

Legendary coach and former World Class swimmer Byron MacDonald joins the show. We talk about his swimming, his long reign as University of Toronto coach, give a lovely recap of the History of Canadian swimming and then we jump into the ISL and Toronto Titans as he serves as the Head Coach?  We run through the roster and look forward to the month of training, racing and circumstances the athletes will face. 

He is a former swimmer who competed for Canada in the 1972 Summer Olympics. He placed sixth in the final of the men's 100-metre butterfly

Byron coached University of Toronto swim teams to 24 USports National Championships — Fifteen women's, and nine men's including most recently, a women's and men's team competition sweep of the 2015-2016 national titles. Two of MacDonald's swimmers have won Olympic Medals — most recently Kylie Masse at the 2016 Olympic Games in the 100 metre backstroke.

He also works as a television commentator analyzing major competitions in swimming. He is a two-time recipient of the Gemini Award for sports play-by-play broadcasting in recognition of his swimming analysis on CBC.

Rowdy Gaines on opening more pools to help water safety - E#61

Hall of Fame swimmer and 3-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines joins the show! We talk about how COVID is affecting student-athletes who have trained their entire lives to play a sport only to now be sidelined and/or lose out on scholarships? We address the financial, professional and mental health repercussions, as well as the long-term effects on sports in general.

We also get into the delayed 2020 (now 2021) Olympics and what they might look like next year, with reference to him being unable to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics because of the U.S. boycott.

Additionally, Rowdy is head of community engagement for USA Swimming, and talks about the Aquatics Coalition they've launched to advocate for pools to remain open during the pandemic, arguing they are safe to use, and a necessary resource for swimming lessons and rehabilitation, particularly in low-income areas.

Bob Platt

Scottsdale Aquatic Club and ISL team DC Trident's Bob Platt joins the show to talk about the 2020 edition of the International Swimming League.   Bob talks about the upcoming camp and meets in Budapest, his team's philosophy and the make up of the roster and coaching staff.  Check it out for a wonderful and humorous insight to the ISL and DC trident in particular!

Monterey Bay Crossing

Former USA National team swimmer turned record breaking marathon swimmer Catherine Breed attempts to swim across Monterey Bay, California. A 25 mile crossing, in 56 F water known for Orcas, Great Whites and Jelly Fish. She decided to leave at 9pm with no moonlight. Why? What goes into her preparation? What is it like to be there with her before? As she stands at the start? The guys are on location to chronicle the swim right to the very end. We are inspired and in awe of her heroic adventure.