David Wittig
Age Group Performance & Performance Development Squads
Coaching Qualifications/Experience
-
ASA Teacher
-
Age group coach Reading Swimming Club 2001-2008
-
Squad coach Bluefins 2008-Present
-
ASA SE Region Talent Camps – Group Coach
-
Coached Age & Youth Swimmers to Silver and Bronze Medals at National Championships
Years in Swimming
"I have been involved in competitive swimming for just shy of 30 years, initially as a competitive swimmer and club captain with Reading Swimming Club, racing to Regional level in a number of events and agonisingly close to Nationals in 200 Brst. My coaching Career started after I finished Uni aged 21".
Coaching Background
David started coaching when he finished university aged 21. His own swimming career and been cut short due to injury but he was encouraged by Graeme Thomas to remain part of Reading Swimming Club and volunteer as a coaching assistant. Under careful guidance from Graeme (who had previously been his age group coach) David soon flourished and within a year he became a squad coach and soon after was in charge of Reading Swimming Club’s age group programme. He enjoyed a very successful time there coaching numerous swimmers to qualify for Regionals and Nationals. He also stepped in as acting head coach following the departure of Graeme Thomas before deciding to follow his long time mentor and join him at Basingstoke Bluefins.
Coaches that Inspired me
-
Graeme Thomas – My guru. Recognised my potential and made me the coach I am today
-
Steven Hill (Olympic Coach) – For teaching me the values of hard work and determination
-
Hammy Smith (Olympic Coach) – For making me believe in myself
Favourite Set
As as swimmer:
5 x 200 Form @ 5.00
I absolutely used to boss this set. I would regularly achieve an average time within 5 seconds of my PB.
As a coach:
40 x 50 Fly
Character building.
Favourite Racing Pool
Crystal Palace. No frills. Not even glass in the windows a lot of the time. How many other pools can boast about their resident pidgeons?! But in spite of this had some great times there for Regional and National Championships as well as Club and Regional camps
Best Advice
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try (I think you get the picture) try again.