Sharing the Journey

After Rio 2016, I realised that my time as an athlete was gradually coming to an end, and I realised I had to start preparing for what was coming next. Although this is the hardest part about retiring from elite sport, it was still something I needed to plan for the best that I could.

In 2017 I began running my own swim clinics up and down the country. A swim clinic is where the coaches or club set aside some pool time for an athlete such as myself to come along and teach and inspire through sharing our own journey. This was the start to the second part of my journey.

The Honesty Policy

Each clinic is individual to the club’s needs, so whether that’s a Backstroke masterclass or a starts and turns based sessions, it is completely unique. Most sessions run over a 2-hour period which usually precedes a 1-hour talk or Q&A session for the athletes or parents to ask any questions they may have about sport.

I am often asked to speak about my own journey as an athlete, and how it all started. This has always been something I pride my clinics on, my journey has some serious up and downs, super long plateaus and many injuries. I think sometimes people come along and sell a dream to the kids, but unfortunately for most young aspiring athletes it a long arduous journey, so I make my talks very honest.

Swimming is by far one of the hardest sports, but if it was easy then everyone would do it. I was a late bloomer in the sport, my first senior medal was not until I was 23, most athletes plateau at a young age and give up on their dreams too quickly. I remember my coach telling my parents when I was a young teenager that if I could ride the plateau out and keep fighting, nothing would stop me once I came out the other side of it.

I can safely say, he was right.

More to Come

I have had so much positive feedback around the clinics I have run in the past, and this is what inspires me to keep doing it and traveling the country trying to share as much knowledge as I can. Telling younger athletes of the mistakes I made and trying to ensure that they do all the right things at a young age, because it is a lot harder to break bad habits once you get older.

Having recently partnered with ProSwimwear they will be posting about my upcoming Swim Clinics, so make sure you stay tuned and keep up to date, so you do not miss the opportunity to get involved.

We are delighted to be working with Chris!

Visit Proswimwear for all of your swimwear needs!

To see what Chris does next keep up to date on Instagram & Twitter @WalkerHebborn @proswimwear