American NCAA champion coach to lead Dar swim camp
Some students from Monti International School participating in swimming practice. The school has organized a special 10-day swimming training camp in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | COURTESY
Dar es Salaam. In line with efforts to promote the development of sports in the country, as championed by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, Monti International School has announced a 10 day high performance swimming camp to be held in Dar es Salaam.
The camp, which will run from May 5 to May 14, 2026, will take place at the school’s Mikocheni campus and will be led by renowned American coach Austin Pillado. Pillado, currently the associate head coach of the women’s swimming team at Washington State University, was part of the technical bench that guided a title winning team at the National Collegiate Athletic Association championships in 2024 during his time at Arizona State University.
His experience working with Olympic champions and world record holders is expected to add value to the growth of swimming in Tanzania, particularly among young athletes. Monti International School founder and director Fatma Fernandes said the initiative is aimed at raising the standard of local swimmers to match global levels. She said bringing in elite coaches offers young athletes access to professional training methods and performance analysis similar to those used by top international competitors.
The camp will introduce advanced training tools, including underwater camera technology that provides real time feedback to help swimmers refine their techniques.
Participants will also attend sessions on race strategy, nutrition and the modern “Fifth Stroke” concept, which focuses on improving efficiency and overall performance in competitive swimming.
Organisers said the programme is modelled on training systems used by universities competing under the NCAA, with emphasis on mastering the four main swimming strokes while improving endurance and speed. The school noted that its investment in sports infrastructure, including a 25 metre Olympic standard swimming pool, is intended to support both students and the wider community.
The camp is expected to attract participants from across East Africa, with limited slots available to allow close monitoring and personalised development.
The initiative is seen as a step forward in efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s presence in international swimming while supporting the broader goal of nurturing talent and enhancing competitiveness in sports.
