Swimming has been part of my life for nearly two decades, including ten years as an athlete and the past eight as a coach. During my competitive career, I earned numerous First and Second Team All State and All Division honors, set pool, school, and state records, and received recognitions ranging from school awards such as Outstanding Senior in Swimming to statewide honors. That body of work also led to dozens of collegiate opportunities across Division I, II, and III programs. While those achievements meant a great deal, the greatest impact on my career came from the coaches who shaped me as both an athlete and a person. Coaches Dave Hanson, Mike Blackburn, Dan Morse, and Albro and Lawson played a defining role in how I understand training, leadership, and athlete development today.

For the past eight years, I have coached individuals of all ages and goals in the water. My experience includes working with beginners learning fundamental skills, athletes pursuing high level competition, and individuals training for fitness, performance, or confidence in aquatic environments. Coaching experience spans YMCA programs, USA Swimming clubs, high school teams, private instruction, and professional settings. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Coaching and Recreation Management and more than twenty certifications in pool and strength training. Continuing education remains a personal priority, but it is also essential to being an effective coach. Just as athletes are expected to grow and evolve, coaches and educators must do the same. Ongoing development includes attending ASCA and ISCA conferences, participating in weekly professional seminars, and studying swimmer development through scientific literature and research. Time spent in high performance environments has been an important part of that growth. I have attended and observed collegiate and professional practices at programs such as the University of Florida, Harvard University, and Brown University, learning from coaches and athletes competing at the highest levels. I also spent two summers working with the Gator Swim Camps and, in 2024, had the opportunity to shadow the University of Florida Olympic professional group during their preparation for the Paris Games under Coach Anthony Nesty and Whitney Hite.

TIDE Swimming was founded to provide intelligent, individualized coaching for anyone who wants to succeed in the water, regardless of age, background, or discipline. The purpose behind the program is also deeply personal. Years in the sport revealed how easily poor training and neglect for long term health can lead to injury, a lesson learned firsthand after sustaining more injuries in the pool than in collegiate boxing. That experience shaped a commitment to evidence based training, technical precision, and a coaching approach that prioritizes the well being of every athlete and client. The mission of TIDE is not simply to improve performance, but to help people become stronger, more capable, and more confident in the water and in life.

Founder & Head Coach

Connor R. Levine