Despite some major challenges, the ISL (International Swimming League), an attempt at actual professional swimming, is plowing ahead with its second season. I haven’t written a lot about the ISL here, partially because I haven’t found myself that interested. That hasn’t had anything to do with what I think about professional swimming, and more to do with where I am in life.
My interest in professional sports has been in a steady decline ever since the birth of my daughter and living abroad. I expect it to bounce back, and 20 year old Chris would have devoured all the ISL content he possibly could.
I have a few criticisms of the ISL, but I don’t want to focus on them in this space. Instead, I want to borrow some inspiration from a wiser, older person who doesn’t want their name mentioned in this space. If I have one hope for the ISL, beyond what it may mean to elite swimming at face value, it’s this:
I hope that the ISL, especially this year, leads swimmers to seize greater agency in their own careers. What exactly do I mean by that? Let me explain
Power Imbalance
Even at the bleeding edge of swimming, I still think that coaches have too much control over what happens with an athlete. Although there are a few swimmers that probably earn more money than the top coaches in the world, the top division 1 or elite team coaches make far in excess of what an “average” elite swimmer does.
They also have much longer careers. Both of these give them a leg up on athletes, despite the fact that no one is watching the ISL for the coaching. Ok maybe a few people, but practically no one.
It’s always uncomfortable to discuss this because so many coaches not at the bleeding edge are compensated rather poorly. Believe me I get it, especially now that I’m also working as a jobber swim coach.
Still, I don’t believe that athletes gaining influence means a loss for coaches. In fact I think it’s a gain. First off, the better you actually are as a coach the more you would benefit from greater athlete autonomy. The best coaches are going to be able to agile and able to meet the needs of more independent athletes.
Many coaches at various developmental levels are frustrated by the lack of autonomy that their swimmers exert, but unsure of how to proceed. We need some role models at the top to be able to say that they manage quite a few things for themselves (or from a variety of sources, not just a singular coach).
Long camp
Many ISL swimmers are far from their “normal” training coach, due to the restrictions of the semi “bubble” they’ve been placed in for the season. As a coach in Denmark, I always thought it was a big opportunity when swimmers I coached got selected from various teams and got to go to a camp or practice with another team.
These trips are both about figuring out what you can learn from a different set of coaches but also about learning to manage yourself without your normal day to day coach. A good coach will build a nice structure around you in training, but ultimately the athlete needs to take over the maintenance of that structure in order for swimming to progress forward.
Obviously the length of the ISL season is extended way beyond what.a typical camp might entail. Maybe these swimmers are going to learn a lot with the extra time about what they can actually do for themselves.
With all that said, I’ve made myself more interested in this ISL season. Maybe I’ll make it my first professional sport to get back in the game.