Learn to swim Phelps way

First-ever swim school outside US launched

They say ‘it runs in the family’. While one is a swimming legend, the other is a champion in her own way.

An ironman triathlete, yoga guru, and the owner of an interactive lifestyle website, Hilary Phelps, Michael Phelps’ eldest sister, was in the city to launch the Michael Phelps Swim School, which will a organise 12-week long clinics throughout the year.

Taking the School outside the United States for the very first time, Hilary stated Bengaluru’s history in swimming as one of the driving forces behind the choice.

“The reason we chose Bengaluru as the venue for our swim clinics is because of its rich history of nurturing young swimming talent and a vibrant swimming culture. “We want to give Indians the opportunity to learn to swim the way Michael did and later become a competitive force in the sport of swimming,” said Hilary.

Throwing more light on the programme module, she emphasised that the Swim School will take in the swimmer from where he is and then develop the talent.

“We don’t want to force something on the kids who come in. Even with Michael, as a kid he never wanted to be in water. After me, Whitney too joined the pool and the poor guy had no choice but to follow us. His initial days were terrible. He hated the water and stayed on the pool deck, but never entered. But later he too got used to the pool. That’s something we look forward to do. Not force the kids, but allow them to come in,” she added.

Meanhwile, Jai Gill, CEO of Gameday Arts saw the venture as an opportunity for young swimmer to learn swimming the Phelps way.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young swimmers to learn the to swim exactly the way Michael Phelps was taught. With the program, we aim to provide young swimmers an opportunity to become world-class athletes by teaching the fundamentals of the sport with a proven and successful method,” he said.

The venture, in association with Gameday Arts, in its initial phase will be based at Zuri Hotel, Royal Orchid Hotel and Play Arena, before expanding to Mumbai and Goa in the coming months.