When you look at Olympic coaches, they’re not running the races or performing the routines for their athletes. Instead, they are creating the conditions for athletes to perform best at events circled on the annual competition calendar.

We know a great coach's impact on us. They foster an environment where athletes hold each other accountable and offer peer feedback and motivation. Coaches can affect everything from an athlete’s preparedness and resiliency to performance outcomes and even athlete mental health. The research is clear: all the variables in coaching behaviour and mental toughness greatly affect the winning athlete’s performance in competition.

A Coaches Impact on Athletic Performance is Clear | But Who Is Coaching the Coaches?

But what about coaching coaches? How do those who lead aquatic athletes into the pool or open water increase their toolbox of knowledge and skills that help turn an athlete’s talent and determination into reaching peak performances?

At World Aquatics, advancing the level of coaches is a cornerstone of our mission in our development activities. Doing this right through a comprehensive approach fosters excellence and enhances global participation in aquatic sports.

Expanding Expertise: A Year of Global Coaching Initiatives at World Aquatics

One key tactic to achieving this lofty ambition is World Aquatics’ coaching initiatives. In 2024, World Aquatics organised 16 coaching courses across  15 countries, attracting 322 participants. These courses took place across all continents: four in the Americas, four in Asia, two in Europe, two in Africa, and four in Oceania, along with a global webinar.

This is in addition to joint Olympic Solidarity's and World Aquatics efforts, which delivered fourteen technical aquatics coaching courses in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania in 2024.

World Aquatics designed and ran these programmes to elevate coaching knowledge and skills, strengthen the global coaching network, and support the long-term development of aquatic sports.  

World Aquatics caught up with Olympian and World Aquatics lecturer Leilani Torres to see what this looks like.

Q&A | Talking Artistic Swimming with Leilani Torres

Thank you for joining us! Where are you based now?
I live in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. My husband, a former handball player and now a coach, has brought us to many countries for his work, which has been an excellent opportunity to learn about sports globally.

In artistic swimming, you represented Puerto Rico at the Athens 2004 Olympics. What was this experience like?
It was incredible—truly surreal. My duet partner Luna Aguilu and I had the best performance of our careers, an unforgettable experience. Representing Puerto Rico was historic; we were the first artistic swimmers from our country to qualify for the Olympics, and no one has done so since. That legacy means a lot to me.

Did your Olympic journey influence your coaching career?
Absolutely. Having amazing coaches shaped me. Sheilagh Croxon, one of the developers of the Artistic Swimming Coaches Certification Course, was my coach. Her technical expertise has inspired my teaching. I also had Olympic coaches like Julie Sauvé and Laura Amorost who challenged me to think critically and pushed me to grow.

When did you transition into coaching?
I started coaching in 2009 and became certified through the Spanish Federation. Since then, I’ve been fully immersed in coaching and now focus on training artistic swimming coaches.

You’ve been leading World Aquatics’ Artistic Swimming Coaches Certification Courses. What do these courses entail?

The Level 1 course is based on blended learning. Coaches first complete an online course and then attend a face-to-face course that lasts about four days. Mornings are theory-based in a classroom, with presentations, video examples, and demonstrations. Afternoons are hands-on, with either coaches in the water or swimmers demonstrating techniques. Coaches also complete a workbook and create a detailed training session plan.

What’s the goal for coaches in Level 1?
We aim to ensure they understand the basics of training session planning—from warm-ups to technical drills, safeguarding swimmers, and structuring the main workout. It’s about building a strong foundation for effective coaching.

Who attends these courses?

The courses are open to coaches who already have experience in artistic swimming and also interested in learning more about coaching artistic swimming. Many attendees are already coaches in sports like rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, yoga, or dance. Lately, with the rise of acrobatics in artistic swimming, we’re seeing interest from gymnastics and diving coaches.

Where have you led courses so far?
I’ve conducted courses in Andorra, Poland, Serbia, and Colombia. Before these, I facilitated World Aquatics clinics in New Zealand, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands, including some online sessions.

What’s next for you as a coach and educator?
I’m focused on updating the Level 1 course materials and delivering impactful training. I’m passionate about sharing knowledge and helping coaches improve, ultimately elevating the sport.

How does the Level 1 coaching course focus on improving a coach's approach?
The course emphasises understanding and valuing the swimmer in front of you. It’s about recognising how each athlete learns, listens, and engages. The goal is to adapt your coaching to their unique style and needs, creating a healthier and more productive environment for both coach and swimmer.

We focus on building the coach’s capacity to listen and observe, enabling them to shape their methods around the swimmer’s skills and learning preferences. This foundation fosters a positive, growth-oriented atmosphere.

Was there a moment in your athletic career that influenced your coaching philosophy?
Absolutely. I vividly remember training for my solo routine in 2006. I had invested everything—my time, savings, and energy—to train with the best in Spain at the High-Performance Centre in Barcelona. The training was gruelling. At one point, I felt completely overwhelmed, questioning if I could continue.

My coach turned the situation around with some tough love and perspective. She reminded me of all the effort I had put in—finding the training, paying for my own expenses, and committing to the process. Then, she simply told me, “You know you can do better, right?”

That question pushed me to confront my fears, not my exhaustion. It was a transformative moment that showed me how mental barriers can hold us back more than physical ones.

This experience taught me that coaches have immense power to push athletes beyond their perceived limits, helping them realise their potential—even when the work feels impossible.

You’ve been involved in the sport for over 30 years. How has artistic swimming evolved over that time?
The sport has undergone significant changes. Before the 2000s, it was very much about beauty, artistry, and the elegance of swimmers performing in shiny suits. Then, it transitioned into something more acrobatic and demanding, with routines that required covering more pool space and engaging with all judges.

In recent years, especially after the rule changes two years ago, there’s been a greater emphasis on valuing difficulty and precision. Previously, routines with simpler elements might score higher because of subjective appreciation. Now, there’s a clear system that rewards challenging elements like spins and lifts. This shift has been challenging for coaches, but it’s necessary to ensure the sport continues progressing and showcase athletes' incredible skills.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, a team from the Americas (Team USA) earned silver in a sport recently dominated by Europe and Asia. How impactful was that result?
It was incredibly motivating for the Americas and other regions striving for podium finishes. Seeing an American team break through that dominance shows what’s possible and inspires nations across the continent.

We’re seeing promising talent in mixed duets from countries like Mexico and Chile, which indicates a bright future. These results demonstrate the importance of adapting to new rules, strategising routines effectively, and creating opportunities for all athletes to succeed on the world stage.

What advice would you give to aspiring artistic swimming coaches starting out?
The best advice I ever received is to “KISS”—Keep It Simple and Smile. My sister taught me that acronym, and it’s become my mantra. The sport can feel overwhelming because it combines technical precision with artistry, but focusing on one thing at a time is essential.

At a coaching the coaches course, we also start with the basics. Build a solid foundation, step by step. When you prioritise the fundamentals, everything else—difficulty, artistry, and progression—will come naturally. Take the same approach for planning routines: focus on clear, achievable goals rather than trying to tackle everything at once.

Coaches sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sport's constant changes, but there’s always an adaptation process—whether it’s new rules, techniques, or training methods. Focus on learning the sport's demands, understanding what athletes need to succeed, and then creating a training strategy around those needs.

Finally, seek support. Coaching doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. Reach out to colleagues, your board, or even your own swimmers.

You mentioned involving swimmers in the coaching process. Why is that important?
It’s about creating a sense of community. Coaches are there for athletes, but athletes can also support their coaches. Involving swimmers encourages shared responsibility and builds trust. Ultimately, it’s a partnership—when everyone works together, it creates a more positive and productive environment.

Where do you see the coaches’ certification courses going?
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished with these programs, and I’d love to see them expand globally. Online tools are making it easier to reach more people. Still, I’d like to see even more accessible resources—like an independent library of materials open to anyone, regardless of their affiliation with a club or federation.

On a personal note, since 2015, I’ve been sharing simple but essential coaching tips on social media to help make knowledge accessible to everyone. The idea is to level the playing field by providing everyone with the tools they need. It will truly elevate the sport if we continue to build on that.

What would you say to someone hesitant about attending a certification course?
Just jump in—try, explore, and see how it feels. Coaching is a rewarding journey, and you’ll discover so much about yourself along the way. Many new coaches feel intimidated, but once they see the progress they can help create, it’s incredibly motivating.

For example, when I coach masters-age artistic swimmers, many are initially afraid to start because they think it’s too late. But when they try, they realise they’re capable of amazing things—whether learning a new skill or simply enjoying the water. The sense of achievement is an instant reward.

Any closing thoughts?
I’m grateful to be part of this journey to grow the sport. Programs like this are essential to our success, and the more we can share knowledge and support each other, the stronger our community will become.