Brendan Farrar - (Author)

On Presidents' Day, a Look at the Role of Swimming in Presidential History As the United States celebrates Presidents' Day, it is a fitting time to dive into the significance swimming has held in presidential history. Indeed, we have never seen an Olympic caliber athlete in the White House, but that...

The 4 Hidden Gems of Swimming How important is it to value your sport and its inner workings? This is a question that applies to more than just sports, but think for a moment about the values that swimming either has brought you, or other facets of the sport you take pride in. Forget the practices, ...

Mid-Major Programs: The Backbone of Collegiate Swimming (Commentary) Mid-Major Division I swimming is the glue that holds together collegiate swimming. Before diving into the details, this is certainly not meant to discredit the efforts, abilities, or any other aspect of athletes that do not fall in...

Finishing Your Season Like a Champion Even as we navigate these uncertain and rather tricky times, there is still something to be said for how to end your season. For most collegiate athletes, February and March feature a great deal of fast swimming and postseason competition. For club swimmers, thi...

Honoring Black History Month: Female Swimmer Edition Every February brings a month full of reflection, gratitude and a chance to honor some of the nation's most inspiring black leaders and their contributions. In the world of swimming, there is no debating the excellence and accomplishments of sever...

An Age Old Debate in Swimming: Team or Individual Sport? Think of the most riveting, competitive atmosphere you have experienced. Crowds of people, spectators, and individuals rallying behind their respective teams or favorite participants anticipating a high-stakes performance. Maybe this was at a ...

Developing Reliable Habits Can Provide a Major Boost With 2020 behind and a new year upon us, most people take a moment of reflection. While 2020 will go down as eventful and full of surprises, 2021 may present new challenges, or better yet, new opportunities. Even if you aren't someone who makes or...

Service in Swimming: Ways to Give Back to the Sport that Provides So Much In a sport where intensity, routine, and energy are always in demand, it's important to take a step back and look at the grand scheme of things. Often times, we become so wrapped up in our everyday lives that we tend to forget...

The Inequities of Swimming: Making the Most of Your Situation There is no doubt that the sport of swimming continues to evolve. Swimming has taken huge steps toward the progress and success of swimmers of all abilities. From technique to nutrition, to the suits we wear and equipment we use, all of t...

The Importance of Mental Health No matter your affiliation with an aquatics team (coach, swimmer, board member, official, etc.), you are most likely wrapped up in a typical day-to-day routine in some capacity. When the time comes around for you to report on deck, how are you managing your mental hea...

5 Helpful Ways to Maintain Focus After Bad Swims We've all been there before. The weekend you have been waiting for has finally arrived, and now it's time to show off all of the hard work you have put into the pool. Enthusiasm is rushing through your veins, and your long-awaited time to prove yourse...