Swimming/Sporting Background/Achievements
Outside of school I never really did much competitive sport. When I was a younger man I played some 5-a-side football, a spot of cricket, a bit of squash, a smidge of badminton and, as a distance runner in my school days, did a little bit of gentle jogging, but this usually entailed a trip to the local hostelry afterwards. When age and responsibility crept up on me I did manage to become a qualified BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) Sports Diver and at some point, for some reason that I still can’t fathom, took up Karate for a time, along with my son Jensen, reaching purple belt. As with many of you out there, I have spent an almost unhealthy amount of time sitting on poolside watching my children swim. It was during one of these poolside sitting sessions, when I was considering whether chlorine might be considered one of your 5 a day, that I vaguely remember our current head coach, Mr Stowe, talking to our ex-head coach, Mr Latta, about finding more help on poolside. It was then that, in his dulcet Australian tones, Mr Latta turned to me and said those fatal words, “You wouldn’t mind helping out, would you Marcus?” (or something to that effect). With a mixture of Naiveté and a brain somewhat addled by chlorine fumes I said “Sure, why not.” (I think!) and that was that. So I’m now a level 1 qualified coach for Worcester Swimming Club, coaching Junior County primarily, and, I must say, loving every minute of it. This is mainly thanks to the great bunch of swimmers that we have and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all, because, no matter what, they always manage to make me smile.
Favourite stroke
To Swim – Don’t think achieving neutral buoyancy at 20m and flicking your fins every now and then really counts as a stroke.
To Coach – Backstroke
To Watch – Fly – it looks awesome when done right.
Favorite training set
I like them all.
3 things you couldn’t do without
1. Family
2. Health
3. Internet!
If you won the lottery what would you do?
Spread some around family and friends and then spend the rest on stuff.