I always thought I’d like to give coaching a try, sometime in the future. But I certainly need training. Last year, prior to moving back to the states from Russia, my local masters team hosted Level I and II coaching education, the first steps toward Masters coaching certification. This year, the team is hosting Level III. I thought I’d have to wait yet another year for the I and II to come back around, but just noticed on Monday that another team here in town will host the class in June!

Fairfax Masters, God bless ’em, will host I and II on 22 June. My calendar looks clear. I think I’m going to do it. Not sure I’d start coaching right away, but I’d like to get some education under my belt for when my masters team does an OW workout. I’d love to help coach it. Having “Level II ASCA certified” next to my name would give me some gravitas and I can use my charisma and extrovertness (if that is a word, and WordPress is telling me it’s not) to persuade the swimmers that I know what the hell I’m talking about.

One thing I’ll have to do is join the American Swimming Coaches Association. That’s costly at $70. But I only have to join for a year. When my ASCA membership lapses, USMS will still honor my cert. That’s awesome. Plus, during the year of ASCA membership, I’ll try and take advantage of membership discounts on online courses and books.

How about my dear reader(s)? Any of you considering coaching in your future?