Meet Zara
C Squad
Primary teacher by day; swimming coach by night.
What is your fastest 100m time?
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I started swimming club when I was 10. I ended up loving it, and needed persuading to get out of the pool. My main event was 200m breastroke, but I liked doing 400IM, and distance events for fun. I continued to swim at University, which involved me getting up at the disgustingly early 4.45am most mornings. Since university I stopped swimming myself but have recently tried to get back doing it more regularly.
I started coaching when I was 14 as part of my Duke of Edinburgh volunteering. My swim coach as a child inspired me and I always knew this was something I wanted to pursue. I took over the ‘ready for club’ / Otter squad when I was 15. I did my Level 1 teaching shortly after and continued coaching until I went to university.
If I could give one piece of advice to new swimmers it would be believe in yourself, it will be hard work but it will be worth it.
My swimming idols are Katie Ledecky or Summer McIntosh, both insanely good distance swimmers. Their turns, technique and stamina is flawless. Summer is breaking records and for someone so young, it is really exciting to watch her. Would love to hear what their training secrets are!
I have only recentally started coaching at GASC, so I am sure I will find out why the club is the best.
