Aquajets’ Kate Lundsten on Training Elite Club Swimmers, Developing ”HAPIE” Athletes

Kate Lundsten has been the Head Coach of the Aquajets Swim Team since 2004. In that stretch, she has been named to multiple USA Swimming International Staffs, coached multiple NAG records, and built a reputation of excellence with 7 Silver and 5 Gold medals in USA Swimming’s Club Excellence program. In this conversation, Kate discusses her coaching style as a combination of fun and holding the kids accountable. She likes to teach by asking the kids the right questions so that they can figure out solutions on their own. She dives deep into underwaters, a strength for most of the top-level Aquajets swimmers. Kate is kind enough to give us a couple of examples sets she uses to make the kick count automatic in races. She also tells us a little about her dryland and how it fits into the overall progression of their program. Kate describes a very healthy culture centered around the Aquajets values, HAPIE. Humility, Accountability, Perseverance, Integrity, and Empathy. Much of the program's success seems to come from Kate’s ability to learn and let her coaches do the jobs they were hired to do. A lot to be learned from one of the best coaches in the sport!