Head coach at Florida Swimming Club, Tracey Hemphill spoke highly of Penny Heyns, saying that coaches and swimmers got more out of the intense two-day clinic than they could ever wish for.
In an interview with the Record the coach praised Penny for the hard work, contribution and value she brought in teaching the young swimmers by not only educating them, but also developing them and relating to them.
“Penny is so many people’s hero,” Tracey says.
“Just being in her presence was an awesome experience for the swimmers. A lot of what her workshop is about involves developing mental skills and self-perception, which is important for a lot of young swimmers who are struggling with confidence and self-esteem issues.”
What was the most important and vital thing swimmers could gain from the clinic? “I think the most valuable thing was the stuff she did out of the water.
“Many top swimmers can do a pool session and add some value from their experiences in training and competition. But very few offer the full package, including mental preparation and development.
“Penny spent about four hours a day just on this element, including discussions about her highlights and her disappointments and how these things developed character. She put herself on the swimmers level, relating to them on an emotional level.”
Tracey highlighted the importance of such a clinic to coaches and swimmers.
“I really enjoyed coming together with other coaches who have different and in some cases a lot more experience, and sharing this with them.
“I think that it is important that coaches in the area work together as this is important for the swimmers in our region.
“I really enjoyed working with Penny who has no arrogance and is so humble, so willing to share anything with you. She did a one-on-one session with me and some of our breaststroke swimmers. It was an awesome experience for all, working with someone who broke 11 breaststroke world records in three months.
“She spent an hour with each and really was able to tap into their potential.”
Tracey concluded by saying that, “The clinic was more intense on the mind. As I mentioned the focus of the clinic, I feel, was more on the mental skills that swimmers have access to, which can be both beneficial and detrimental to them.
“I have a Sport Psychology degree, and often feel that this is the element we don’t work on enough. The swimmers would leave each session enlightened and thinking, not just sore and tired.”
