EXPERIENCE

“Success is a concept. People are real.” – Austin Surhoff

For Austin Surhoff, swimming has always been about the bonds of friendship forged from countless chlorinated days at practice: “We have a unique sport built on hard work and spending thousands of hours with the same people, so we are fierce friends with each other.”

With an emphasis on relationship building, Austin Surhoff is sure to make his clinic a hands-on, family partnership experience. He becomes an ally not only with the swimmers, bot also with the parents: “Swim parents are just as important as the participants at these clinics. They are there to learn as well and deserve thoughtful engagement as much as the swimmers do.”

Austin’s effective communication skills particularly engage participants on their level: “I learned from my own experiences that swimmers love when they are respectfully engaged by the adults whom they value as authorities. Growing up, I was a prideful kid and always connected better with younger coaches who trusted me to speak with them in a mature way.”

Backing up communication skills with technical knowledge, Austin draws on his experience swimming for North Baltimore and the University of Texas – both widely recognized meccas of swimming knowledge and expertise.

“Technique is the best part of swimming to me. Each participant at a Fitter and Faster clinic can walk away with one or two little stroke tips to move forward with. Those tips will be trained every single day in practice and can have a major impact on his or her technique moving forward.”

In addition to teaching body mechanics, Austin hopes to impart the value of perseverance through all sorts of trials swimmers can face, referencing his 2012 National Champion title in the 400 freestyle relay against the odds of his team under-performing throughout the meet:

“It was an awesome example of toughness in the face of defeat and still inspires me to this day to hang tough and compete, even when everything is going wrong. I have experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows. I have seen and felt it all in swimming, which gives me a level of understanding that can be applied to a wide range of people’s experiences.”

Surhoff has experienced every step an athlete can take through a swimming career and is able to empathize with nearly anyone he works with. He particularly empathizes with swimmers who have battled injuries. After several months out of the water doing rehab after shoulder surgery in 2013, fear and doubt crept into his mind about his future in swimming. But as all greats do, he kept his nose down and completed the work needed not only to recover but also to better his time and qualify for the US National Team in 2015 in the 200 IM.

If swimmers remember only one thing from his clinic, this would be it:

“Success isn’t one big step that you all of the sudden just take; it’s a thousand little steps taken over a long period of time. We are in a sport that charts success based on a couple big meets a year, and I want every swimmer to know that they can chart their own success every day in practice and in meets.”

“I would definitely attend another clinic in which Austin Surhoff was a clinician.” – Michelle, from Eagleville, PA

“Austin Surhoff is a great instructor, he related well with the swimmers and parents. He was down to earth, easy to talk to, and showed interest in the swimmers.” -Matthew, from La Plata, MD

“The clinician’s approach with the kids was fantastic. Austin made it fun and light but also maintained control the entire time. I’d seek out and do clinics again with Austin in a heartbeat. He just as an incredible ability to coach and connect with the athletes.” – Dani, from Pasadena, MD

“Austin Surhoff was a great coach and taught the skills in a way that was easy for the kids to understand and apply. As a parent, I thought your Q&A session was the best part of the clinic!! You answered all the questions thoroughly and were very positive with every answer you gave! Not only did my kids learn new skills in the pool, but they learned very valuable lessons for outside the pool! Thank you again for being so encouraging!!”- Erin, from Searcy, AR

“Austin and Elvis have an excellent demeanor with the swimmers. They were personable with the staff at HBC and with all involved in the clinic. I greatly enjoyed watching them work and jumping in to assist when needed. They are star quality both in and out of the pool!” -Kate, from Haven Beach, NJ