Swimming

Zak Brown

Head Swim Coach

PE & Sport

[email protected]

My name is Zak Brown. I’m from Bakersfield, California and started swimming at the age of 10. During High School, I helped lead our team to becoming league champions 4 years in a row. After High School, I attended Bakersfield College and continued swimming for Bakersfield Swim Club. During this time, I competed all over California as well as traveling to other states for national level competitions. After 2 years of junior college; I moved to Niagara Falls, New York and competed at Niagara University as a Division One Swimmer. During my stay at Niagara University, I was able to set three school relay records and I received a degree in marketing and logistics. I've enjoyed teaching and coaching swimming for over 18 years and have worked with athletes on all levels from beginners to Olympians. I feel very fortunate that swimming has given me the opportunity to meet incredible people from all over the world. Swimming is more than just a sport to me, it's become a lifestyle. The lessons learned through swimming stay with you your entire life. I started at HeadStart in 2016 and it has been such an amazing experience so far! I am really excited to continue to work with the students to further develop their swimming abilities. We have developed a great team and I am looking forward to helping all our swimmers further excel in the pool this year.

The HeadStart Swim Academy pushes each student-athlete to strive both in the classroom and the pool. Our training schedule offers 10 practices per week so our students can maximize their study time and continue with their development in the water. Each session for the Aqua Panthers offers technique work, endurance building, and race strategy. Our goal is to help each athlete develop focus, determination, time management, self-discipline, and a strong work ethic. All swimming competitions and events will be announced in the weekly updates, emailed to parents and are recorded in the calendar.

HeadStart team records can be found here.

Swimming Academy handbook can be found here.

Events

Taking part in competitive competitions is an exciting and challenging opportunity for the students and an important part of their development as swimmers. Each year, members of our team take part in various international competitions such as the Malaysia Invitational Age Group Championships and Neo Garden Singapore Nationals. Additionally, they take part in National competitions in Phuket and Bangkok.

Our annual Swimathon fundraiser is always an exciting event and is successful in raising money for local charities. The event consists of swimmers collecting sponsorship from the community and participating in a 12-hour relay throughout the night.

Programme

The Aqua Panthers program develops students into skilled, focused and hardworking athletes; students improve their swimming abilities, as well as growing in personal confidence and resilience. Our program works on all aspects of swimming and life; from technique, speed and endurance to time management, self-discipline and work ethic. The Aqua Panthers program offers three different levels that focus on students’ specific needs. Academy swimmers should commit to attending at least 4 training sessions per week, swim meets and events with a full water bottle, and wearing a full academy kit.