In swimming as in life knowledge is power, the only way of truly harnessing your power in the water is through greater technical knowledge. I worked with Gary at a time when I already considered myself to know most of what there was to know about swimming technique. Working with Gary for a week showed me that I had a lot more to learn. He observed my technique and showed me how to use my body as one instead of as many separate parts. When you're travelling fast the only way to get faster without become massively stronger is by improving your efficiency through the water. When your body is working in harmony to drive you through the water it becomes easier and faster. Gary can find your weaknesses and set or design drills to allow you to achieve your potential to an extent that only a few other coaches can. Chris Cozens European, Commonwealth and World finalist. British Record holder 100m Freestyle (short course)

As a triathlete who came into the sport "later" in my athletic life, swimming has always been the hardest discipline for me to address. I have been working with Gary now for about two years on a one-to-one basis. He took on the challenge to completely re-model my swimming technique and I have become a stronger, faster and most importantly, a more confident swimmer. Gary is an easy-going, effective coach. He understands that every person is different and has the amazing ability to communicate technical advice that is tailored to the individual. In short, he’ll find out what makes your swimming tick and help you to meet your swimming goals, whatever they are. Catriona Morrison Scottish Commonwealth Games Team 2002, 2007

RECREATIONAL SWIMMERS:

I found Gary to be a superb swimming coach, his advice was helpful, realistic and achievable, and in fact it worked. He had a non judgmental manner and a positive style. I found that I enjoyed swimming more, became faster and fitter and had good fun.

Professor Sheila Hunt
Dean and Head of School
Cardiff School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies


CLUBS:

During the period Gary was called apon to help out at City of Gasgow my son Johnstone had the privilage of having Gary as his coach, During the four months that followed, we as a family were amazed the way our son responded to Gary's training techniques. He not only prepared Johnstone physicaly, but also did wonders for his self confidence. I hope that swimmers would benefit as much from Gary as my son did, I think that Gary has a very bright future ahead of him. As a family we have nothing but respect for Gary, a true gentleman and a brilliant swim coach.

The Shearer Family
City of Glasgow Swim Team


Thanks for your terrific swim camp, the feedback was very positive with all the swimmers reporting that they had benefited greatly from the camp. The swimmers particularly gained a lot from the technique sessions. All of the children enjoyed a great deal of improvement from the breakdown and reassembling of their strokes. They also found the psychology sessions useful and are using the skills learned to enable them to develop good focus prior to their swims in competitions. We hoped to use the camp to develop our swimming coaches and this was very successful. Many of the drills learned have percolated throughout the squads and are consistently used to develop the swimmers at all levels in the club. Overall ADSC found it to be a very professionally run camp that brought great benefit to both the swimmers and the coaches.

John Anderson
President - Aberdeen Dolphin Swimming Club


We held our first swim camp in a long time at Grangemouth Amateur Swimming Club during August 2007. We approached Gary Vandermeulen and asked him if he would be interested giving a motivational talk to our kids on various topics i.e. his own experiences as being an Olympic swimmer, commitment, training needs, nutrition etc. Gary was more than willing to do this for us and our head coach suggested asking Gary to do a pool coaching session for our swimmers too, which Gary agreed to as well.

Both the talk and the coaching session, including land training went down very well. It gave the kids lots of informative information, different coaching skills and a different voice to listen to. The kids and coaches really enjoyed it all.

A few weeks after our swim camp we handed out a questionnaire to all the kids and the word back was that they really enjoyed your coaching session. Most commented on the 'snakes & ladders' being different and very enjoyable, saying they still worked very hard but didn't realize it at the time. It has also inspired a few swimmers to say that they hoped 'one day to swim in the Olympics'. Not many people actually achieve that but we were lucky enough to hear of the experiences of one of them.

Every swimming gala we went to after the swim camp showed an incredible improvement in our young swimmers so all in all a very worth while exercise!

Linda Nimmo
Grangemouth Club Volunteer


"Gary has a fresh, innovative and creative flare when coaching. Eyemouth's training session with Gary was an investment for both the children and coaches alike. He kept the children's respect and attention for a full 2 hours and at the end the children were oblivious to how hard they'd actually worked. His ideas and methods are already being put into place by our coach with amazing results."

Jane Izat
Eyemouth & District A.S.C



COACHES:

“Gary was part of the preparation team for one of my athletes in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He did weekly one to one specialist coaching on the development of starts and basic speed and was instrumental in helping that swimmer reach two semi-finals in Melbourne. Gary's technical knowledge of the sport is truly excellent, and he uses great communication skills to help swimmers understand what they need to do to improve. My swimmer really enjoyed the workouts with Gary and found him very motivational in the quest for success.”

Ian Wright
Head Coach
Warrender Baths Club - Scotland's Leading Swimming Club


Good luck to both of you. This has to be one of the best things to happen in Scottish swimming in a long time. With your immeasurable expertise, your enthusiasm and your depth of knowledge I can’t wait to see this swim school. As past Olympians yourselves, you are uniquely qualified to know what it takes for a swimmer to go to the top, both in terms of commitment and determination. Your attention to technique and stroke development is truly inspiring. Having worked with you for a number of years I have found you inspirational with your attention to detail second to none. All swimmers of all ages and all abilities will be able to gain a huge amount from you both. This is truly an invaluable tool for any swimmer. As a qualified coach I would not trust my sons with anyone else. Again I wish you both every success in this venture and I know you will excel in it as you both always do.

Gill Ramsay
Menziehill & Whitehall Swim Club
University of Dundee Students Swimming & Waterpolo Team


The swimmers and coaches learned a lot from your session, the club went on to win the county junior league and the 10 under boys won their section using the drills and techniques learned from your session. The swimmers and coaches are looking forward to our next session.

Neil Tait
Head Coach Eyemouth & District ASC


‘The technical and innovative drills that Gary has developed to support Catriona's swim programme has been invaluable. Gary has a fantastic knowledge of swimming, both teaching and coaching and has a style of delivery that that is highly effective for learning. Catriona and I have been delighted with the swimming performance results over the last 3 years and see the input as adding huge value to the coaching programme.'

Gordon Crawford
Elite Performance Triathlon Coach



PARENTS:

Gary is completely different to any other swimming coach I have come across, in terms of his whole approach to getting the very best out of his swimmers. Gary is a good listener to both parents and swimmers, is an excellent communicator, and will always carefully consider what swimmers tell him about learning a new method, as to whether something works for them or not .To sit in and watch Gary coach is a genuine pleasure for me and often a complete revelation. My son always comes away from his sessions feeling positive and looking forward to implementing new changes. I would recommend Gary without reservation to any competitive swimmer who wants to move their game on to the next level.

Prof. Brian J. Lipworth