3rd International Conference For Swimming Coaches
September 19–21, 2025 | Warsaw
We warmly invite you to the 3rd International Elite Coach Conference, which will take place from September 19–21, 2025, in Warsaw. This unique event has become one of the key dates on the swimming community calendar — not only in Poland, but also across Europe and worldwide.
This year, the conference is organized jointly by the Polish Swimming Federation, European Aquatics, and World Aquatics, ensuring the highest level of expertise and an international reach.
Program and Topics
Over three intensive days, participants will have the opportunity to attend numerous lectures, panel discussions, and expert debates. A practical session will also take place at the pool on Sunday, September 21.
Special attention will be given to modern swimming teaching methods and youth sport. This thematic block is organized by the Podlaski Regional Swimming Association, which has prepared a rich and inspiring program for coaches working with young athletes.
International Experts
This year, we are proud to welcome a distinguished group of specialists from around the world, each bringing unique expertise and experience in the field of swimming. Bernd Berkhahn (Germany) is a leading coach in long-distance swimming, both in the pool and open water. Alberto Pinto da Silva (Brazil) is renowned for his work with Olympic and world champions, including César Cielo. Adrian Rădulescu (Romania) has guided elite swimmers such as David Popovici to Olympic titles and world records. Raúl Arellano (Spain) is a prominent expert in swimming biomechanics and performance analysis. Antonio Lutula (Sweden) has coached top athletes like Sarah Sjöström to Olympic gold medals. Their presence will provide participants with access to the latest trends, training methodologies, and global perspectives in competitive swimming.
A Shared Space for Development
The conference offers a unique opportunity to exchange experiences, knowledge, and best practices. We combine traditional coaching approaches with innovative concepts, creating a space for open dialogue and collective development for coaches and instructors at all levels of expertise.
Conference programme
Day 1
Friday, 19.09.2025
Main Conference Room
This session is brought to you in collaboration with European Aquatics and World Aquatics
11:00 – 13:00 Registration
13:00 – 13:30 Opening ceremony
(representatives of Poland Aquatics, European Aquatics, World Aquatics)
13:30 – 14:30 Bernd Berkhahn (Germany)
Philosophy and key principles of Mid-Distance Training with Example Workouts
14:30 – 15:30 Lee Taylor (UK)
Core Temperature Characterisation during European Aquatics Open Water Swimming competitions
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 Alberto Silva (Brazil)
The evolution of sprint training
17:00 – 17:30 Coffee break
17:30 – 19:00 Adrian Radulescu, Bernd Berkham, Bartosz Kieziorowski
Panel Discussion: How to keep young swimmers in our sport
19:00 End of the session
Day 2
Saturday 20.09.2025
Main Conference Room
This session is brought to you in collaboration with European Aquatics and World Aquatics
9:00 – 10:00 Adrian Radulescu (Romania)
David Popovici’s Training – Challenges and Opportunities
10:00 – 11:00 Raul Arellano (Spain)
Smarter Swimming with AI: Using Neural Networks to Improve Swimmers’ Technique and Performance
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break
11:30 – 12:30 Bernd Berkhahn (Germany)
Working with Younger Swimmers and Progression in Mid-Distance Training: Best practices for coaches working with age-groups 15 to senior level
12:30 – 13:30 Antonio Lutula (Sweden)
The preparation of Sarah Sjöström for the Paris Olympics
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch break
14:30 – 17:00 EA Innovation Hub: Presentation, Introduction and Meeting
17:00 – 18:30 Networking event (Coffee break)
18:30 – 19:00 Closing remarks (representatives of Poland Aquatics, European Aquatics)
Day 2
Saturday 20.09.2025
Smaller Conference Room
Parallel Session
9:00 – 9:30 Zofia and Jacek Krawczyk
Swimming from the First Months: The History and Importance of Water Activities for Infants
9:30 – 10:00 Małgorzata Witmanowicz
Swimming from the Cradle (0–6): Laying the Foundations of Sporting Activity from the Earliest Months — Assessing Motor Readiness, Parent Education, Safe and Regular Water Activity, and Diverse Stimuli as the Basis for a Child’s Future Swimming Development
10:00 – 10:45 Ryszard Szul
Stimulating natural child development through play-based training. The basics of training children and young people in swimming
10:45 – 11:30 Jakub Kosowski
Legal aspects and challenges of a trainer’s work
11:30 – 12:00 Coffee Break and Q&A with the Speakers
12:00 – 13:30 Tomasz Wilczewski
New Generation — New Methods: How to Foster Independence and Intrinsic Motivation in Children in Sport
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch break
14:30 – 15:30 Ryszard Szul
Oxygen endurance as the basis for training children and adolescents: Principles of Periodization (Macro/Meso/Micro Cycle)
15:30 – 16:00 Donat Oleksów
Financing Swimming: An Overview of Programs and Effective Applications for Clubs, Coaches, and Instructors
16:00 – 16:45 Tomasz Pąchalski
Open Water Swimming as a Comprehensive Pathway for Swimming Career Development
16:45 – 17:00 Coffee Break and Q&A with the Speakers
17:00 – 17:30 Artur Paczyński
Basics of competitive swimming in the breaststroke style
17:30 – 18:30 Eleni i Aleksandra Filipiuk, Donat i Jan Oleksów
Water Polo and Artistic Swimming in Swimmer Training: Complementary Elements for Children, Youth, and Older Age Groups. Benefits: Eggbeater, Sculling, Breath Control, Coordination, Balance, Mobility, Strength/Endurance, Teamwork, and Technique (Body Position, Leg Work)
18:30 – 19:00 Andrzej Skorykow
Women in Polish swimming: the key to the future of the sport. Diversity, professionalisation and a supportive sporting environment as the foundations for development
Day 3
Sunday 21.09.2025
Practice at swimming pool in Warsaw
09:00 – 10:30 Bartosz Kizierowski
Start from the starting block and tumble turn
10:30 – 11:30 Donat Oleksów, Jan Oleksów, Aleksandra Filipiuk, Eleni Filipiuk
Diversifying swim training with elements of water polo and artistic swimming
11:30 – 12:30 Artur Paczyński
Basics of competitive swimming in the breaststroke style
*The programme is provisional and may be subject to change.
Conference organizers and partners
Location and contact
Conference venue
Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel
ul. Żwirki i Wigury 1H,Warszawa
Email adress
konferencja@polswim.pl
Payments
sekretariat@polswim.pl