Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast

Off The Blocks - Paris Olympics Night 3&4 Finals REVIEW

Bobby Hurley and i go through all of the action in the pool from Paris in Nights 1 and 2 of finals competition.

We discuss Kaylee McKeown's amazing 100m Backstroke title defence going back to back, as well as Dan Wiffens impressive 800 Free gold medal. We touch on the massive night French star Leon Marchand has ahead of him with the 200 Fly and 200 Breast double against stars Milak in the fly, and Stubblety Cook in the Breast, Can our Zac spoil the Paris party? Also we preview the blue ribbon events with the Women's and Men's 100 Freestyle, will we see a night of Green and Gold on the podium with stars Kyle Chalmers, Mollie O'Callaghan and Shayna Jack in action, or is there an upset coming our way with strike power coming from everywhere chasing the Olympic Gold.

We also look back on the amazing finals that were Night 3, Ceccon's Gold in the 100 Back, Smith winning 100 Breast and of course the incredible Women's 200 Free between the two Aussie stars Ariarne and Mollie.

We discuss covid being in the village, and what that means for the athletes trying to stay healthy and fit for their races to come.

 

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 73 - Slow Pool, Exciting Races

Shannon gives us his thoughts on all the action so far in the pool at Paris 2024 Olympics, including all of the exciting close finishes we have seen.

We discuss the slow pool theory, how to combat it and how it is actually making the racing more exciting with finishes coming down to a touch.

Don't Miss it

Off The Blocks - 2024 Paris Olympics Night 1&2 Finals REVIEW

Bobby Hurley and i go through all of the action in the pool from Paris in Nights 1 and 2 of finals competition.

We discuss Leon Marchand and his dominating win in the Men's 400 IM which got the home crowd loud and proud. Italian Breaststroke star Martinenghi and his upset win over Breaststroke legend Adam Peaty in the Men's 100 Breast. Speaking of upsets, Torri Huske beating home her USA Teammate and World Record holder Gretchen Walsh in the Women's 100m Butterfly.

We also look back on night one and the massive success that it was for the Aussie team. Ariarne winning Gold in the Women's 400 Free over Young Canadian Summer McIntosh and US legend Katie Ledecky, as well as the 4 peat for the Australian 4x100 Free Women's team taking another Gold ahead of the US and China. And of course Elijah WInnington's stand out performance in the Men's 400m Free taking home the Silver Medal just behind German star and Olympic Gold Medallist Lukas Martens.

Slow pool? we discuss some factors that may be making the pool in Paris a little slower than we had hoped for.

 

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 72 - IT'S SHOWTIME IN PARIS

This week on the podcast, Shannon and i talk all about the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Shannon gives us his tips for Athletes and Coaches during these Olympics, including getting enough sleep, not letting the big name stars around you in the village be a distraction and even being cautious of too much bed hopping. Yes we really cover it all haha.

We go through the relay events in Paris and Shannon gives us his thoughts on who's looking good, who's got question marks around them and who needs to get team selections spot on for success.

Shannon gives us some of his predictions as well as the old favourite song of the week.

It's Games time baby, you wont want to miss this

Off The Blocks - Complete Paris Olympics PREVIEW (Men's Edition)

The countdown is almost over and now, IT'S SHOWTIME.

With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games about to kick off in 2 days time, we have assembled two Aussie Swimming Legends in Former World Record Holder Bobby Hurley, and 2 Time Olympian Meagen Nay to take you through all of the action you can expect over the next 9 days of competition.

Time for the boys, as Meagen, Bobby and myself talk all about the amazing matchups coming our way including the showdown in the blue ribbon event the 100m Freestyle as Kyle Chalmers comes up against world record holder Pan Zhanle and former world record holder David Popovci and not to leave out American Jack Alexy, also Cam McEvoy, Ben Proud, Caeleb Dressel and Flo Manaudou in the 50m Free and of course Sam Short, Elijah Winnington battling it our against Lukas Martens and Kim Woomin of Korea. We get into potential relay success as well, andwill we see the rise back to dominance of USA teams.

Our experts also give us their predictions on, Race to watch of the week, Star of the week, and Dark Horse swimmer of the week, as well as a whole lot more.

If you are as excited for the Paris Olympic Games as we are, Don't Miss This

Off The Blocks - Complete Paris Olympics PREVIEW (Women's Edition)

The countdown is almost over and now, IT'S SHOWTIME.

With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games about to kick off in 2 days time, we have assembled two Aussie Swimming Legends in Former World Record Holder Bobby Hurley, and 2 Time Olympian Meagen Nay to take you through all of the action you can expect over the next 9 days of competition.

Starting with the girls, Meagen, Bobby and myself talk all about the amazing matchups coming our way including the rematch of Ariarne Titmus, Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky in the 400m Freestyle, also Mollie O'Callaghan, Sarah Sjostrom, Siobhan Haughey, Shayna Jack in the 100m Free and of course Kaylee McKeown, Regan Smith, Kylie Masse and Katharine Berkoff in the 100m Back. We get into potential relay success as well, and who has the edge the Aussie's or the US teams.

Our experts also give us their predictions on, Race to watch of the week, Star of the week, and Dark Horse swimmer of the week, as well as a whole lot more.

If you are as excited for the Paris Olympic Games as we are, Don't Miss This

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 71 - LIVE From Canet, France Week 3

This week on the podcast, Shannon come to us once again LIVE from Canet over in France as the Australian Olympic team set up camp there on the road to Paris in July.

Shannon takes us behind the scenes on what a staging camp looks like in the third week as the team prepare to move on, and Shannon prepares to fly home.

Shannon talks to us about the handover between home coaches and team coaches during this process, as well as what his final words to Bronte will be before he boards his plane.

We talk about relay selection and what that process looks like, as well as the US media bringing back Cate Campbells comments made last year following Fukuoka World Champs.

Shannons final episode from Canet, don't miss it

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 70 - LIVE from Canet, France Week 2

This week on the podcast, Shannon come to us once again LIVE from Canet over in France as the Australian Olympic team set up camp there on the road to Paris in July.

Shannon takes us behind the scenes on what a staging camp looks like in the second week with training ramping up, and what the coaches are looking for over the next few weeks. We discuss balancing training schedules of all the team, and how much Shannon is enjoying being in the Olympic team environment again

We discuss briefly the announcement of Mel Marshal as the NEW Head Coach at Griffith Uni from 2025 following the announcement of Michael Bohl taking some well deserved long service leave, And whether it was a good time to announce this or could it have waited.

Don't miss this as we get access to the inner sanctum of the Australian Olympic Swim team as they prepare for the biggest Olympic Games in recent memory

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 69 - LIVE from Canet, France Week 1

This week on the podcast, Shannon come to us LIVE from Canet over in France as the Australian Olympic team set up camp there on the road to Paris in July.

Shannon takes us behind the scenes on what a staging camp looks like, and what the coaches are looking for over the next few weeks. Shannon and women's clothes, Shannon and wine tours, Bronte's progression while she has been in camp and a whole lot more.

Don't miss this as we get access to the inner sanctum of the Australian Olympic Swim team as they prepare for the biggest Olympic Games in recent memory

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 68 - Shannon's Week in Brisbane

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back and Shannon is fired up and ready to go.

This week on the podcast, Shannon and I look back at his week in Brisbane at the Australian Olympic trials for Paris.

Shannon talks to us about the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to the program, production and overall feel of the meet itself, as well as gives us a great insight into his own week as a coach with his team and helping get Bronte Campbell onto her 4th Olympic team for Paris.

We touch on the US and their trials, David Popovici's amazing swims at Euros and a whole lot more

Off The Blocks - Aussie Olympic Trials For Paris with Bobby Hurley Part 2

Welcome back to Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast for 2024, this week we are taking a look the 2024 Australian Olympic Trials for Paris up in Brisbane with none other than former World Champion and World Record Holder Bobby Hurley, and World Aquatics Expert Commentator Bobby Hurley.

Bobby Hurley and I look back on the rest of the week up in Brisbane at Olympic trials including the team announcement. We go back to the Women's 100m Free final and the amazing show those 8 females put on for the nation, as well as the send off the crowd and swimmers gave legend Cate Campbell following her 50m Free and missing her 5th Olympics.

We discuss the Men's 100 Fly, Women's 200 Fly, Men's 100 Free, as well as the make up of this years Olympic team with balance between youth and experience.

We also chat US trials, and the massive production and show they are putting on right now in America and what we could learn from that heading towards Brisbane 2032.

Off The Blocks - Aussie Olympic Trials for Paris with Bobby Hurley Part 1

Welcome back to Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast for 2024, this week we are taking a look the 2024 Australian Olympic Trials for Paris up in Brisbane with none other than former World Champion and World Record Holder Bobby Hurley, and World Aquatics Expert Commentator Bobby Hurley.

Bobby Hurley and I look at the week of action from Brisbane so far including Arnies amazing WR in the 200 Free and her battle with teammate Mollie O'Callaghan. Cam McEvoys 50m Free win, as well as Australian Olympic team QTs and Bobby's thoughts on them.

We look back at the week so far as well and Kaylee McKeown's amazing swims, Short and Winningtons battles in the pool and a whole lot more.

We also make some predictions for the days to come, don't miss it

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 67 - Olympic Trials Stories

SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE

In this special bonus episode, Shannon takes us back to his 8 Olympic trials preparations and gives us some great stories of the past.

Stories of triumph, tears, laughter and some very fast swimming.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 66 - Paris Olympic Trials Time

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back and Shannon is fired up and ready to go.

This week on the podcast, Shannon and I look through the massive week of racing up in Brisbane at the Olympic Trials. All the big names are racing and Shannon casts his eye over the field to give us his thoughts on which athletes and events are going to be red hot.

We discuss all the big races and Shannon gives us his race to watch of the week, and whether it will be a week for the young or for the experienced. As well as an update on his own teams chances up in QLD.

Don't Miss it

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 65 - The Ultimate Men's 200m Breaststroke Olympic Final

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back and Shannon is fired up and ready to go.

This week on the podcast, we look at the the ultimate men's 200m Breaststroke Olympic final off the back of the passing of one of the greatest breaststrokers of all time UKs David Wilkie.

During this episode Shannon also gives us great insight into what makes a great 200m Breaststroker, as well as how the event and stroke has evolved over the years.

All that and a whole lot more, yes including the world famous song of the week lol

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 64 - The Ultimate Men's 1500m Freestyle Olympic Final

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back and Shannon is fired up and ready to go.

This week on the podcast, due to the success of the men's 100 Freestyle and women's 400 Freestyle episodes, we do our ultimate men's 1500m freestyle Olympic final list. And this is by far the hardest final to put together so far.

We also discuss Summer McIntosh and her amazing WR in the 400IM, the Canadian Men's under the radar results from trials. Also Shannon gives some tips for doing a good presentation at a conference, as well as touching on how to coach in a woke 2024.

Song of the week is back and a whole lot more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 63 - What Do Your Fastest Swimmers Cost You?

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back after a few weeks off for Australian Age and Open Championships, and Shannon is fired up and ready to go.

This week on the podcast, Shannon and i go through the news and notes in the swimming world including the sad passing of coaching legend Jon Urbanchek. Shannon tells a great story of his time meeting Jon over the years which gives a great insight into the man as well as the legendary coach. 

We discuss Bob Bowman's decision to coach with France at the Paris Olympics, and get Shannon's thoughts and reaction.

And we take a deep dive into an interesting topic around, what your fastest swimmers are costing you and ways to plan ahead. Is it something you have ever thought about? Take a listen to Shannon's interesting way of thinking about your program and making sure you are ready for change when it comes.

 

All that and a whole lot more, yes including song of the week

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 62 - The Ultimate Women's 400m Freestyle Olympic Final

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back after a few weeks off for Australian Age and Open Championships, and Shannon is fired up and ready to go.

This week on the podcast, due to the success of the men's 100 freestyle episode, we do our ultimate women's 400m freestyle Olympic final list, and look at who we think would make it to THE BIG FINAL over the history of female swimming in the 400m. Some we agree, some we don't. Who would you have in yours?

We also discuss the importance of knowing your swimming history, Summer McIntosh not racing the 800 in Paris, Haffnoui potentially out of Paris altogether and a whole lot more.

And of course, Shannon's world famous SONG OF THE WEEK 

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 61 - Drama Heading Into Paris

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back after a few weeks off for Australian Age and Open Championships, and Shannon is fired up and ready to go.

This week on the podcast we discuss Nationals up on the Gold Coast, what teams and swimmers caught Shannon's eye, as well as his own athletes including Bronte Campbell and her calf injury update.

We also do our best to discuss the drama surrounding the Chinese national team at the moment, with athletes testing positive to a banned substance, and authorities claiming it was a contaminated sample used. We get Shannon's thoughts, particularly leading into Paris in a few months.

 

All that and a whole lot more, it's good to be back

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 60 -Special Guest Host Sander Ganzevles

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back in 2024 and on a new home here on the Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast network.

This week Shannon is away and sitting in the hot seat with me is Newcastle High Performance Centre Head Coach and friend of the podcast Sander Ganzevles.

Sander and i discuss Adam Peaty's return to form with a 57.94 in the 100m Breast. Bob Bowman being announce as the man to take over from Legend Eddie Reese in Texas. And what's the correct etiquette at the Sydney Royal Easter Show with big crowds.

We take a deep dive into next weeks Australian Age and Open Championships, and Sander gives us some insights that might prove helpful for Coaches, swimmers and parents heading to the Gold Coast.

Sander gives us his Ultimate Men's 100m Freestyle Olympic Final, and also song of the week, Sanders choice.

 

 

 

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 59 - The Ultimate Men's 100m Freestyle Olympic Final

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back in 2024 and on a new home here on the Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast network.

This week Shannon and I put together our Ultimate Men's 100m Freestyle Olympic final, bringing together some of the BIGGEST names in men's sprinting history. 

We also discuss Kyle Chalmers preparation for Paris moving up to train with Ash Delaney on the Sunshine Coast, as well as some great results over the weekend at NSW Junior State, but how do we capitalise and transition them into great athletes who make teams at senior levels in the future?

Happy Easter Everyone, we hope you all enjoy this weeks episode

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 58 - Chasing PBs

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back in 2024 and on a new home here on the Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast network.

This week Shannon and I look back on the weekend that was NSW State Open Champs and Shannon gives us his thoughts on how the weekend went, from his own teams perspective and as a whole. 

We discuss QLD government looking at ways to wriggle out of the 2032 Olympic games

And Shannon talks to us about ways to stay away from chasing personal best times every meet, as it can have a very detrimental effect on young athletes and their swimming journeys.

Song of the week is back, I get on my soap box and plenty more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 57 - NSW State Open Time

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back in 2024 and on a new home here on the Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast network.

This week Shannon and I discuss NSW State Open this weekend. What to look for at a meet like this so close to Australian Champs on the Gold Coast, as well as how his athletes are tracking heading into the 3 day meet.

We touch on, Comm Games possibly in Malaysia, Brisbane 2023 will it have a new aquatic centre or not, The Shannon Rollason Podcast from Vegas and a whole lot more

The Shannon Rollason Podcast Episode 56 - Building a Successful Club

Welcome to The Shannon Rollason Podcast, a swimming podcast like no other.

The Shannon Rollason Podcast is back in 2024 and on a new home here on the Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast network.

This week Shannon and I discuss how you would go about building a club from scratch. The do's and don'ts in starting with a new club and program and the path to long term success.

We also congratulate David Proud, the NEW Head Coach at SLC Aquadot and the new Sutherland performance hub program.

And for all those who missed Shannon's song last week Drop The Pilot due to my incompetence haha, i have a surprise to start the podcast  

Off The Blocks - Doha World Champs REVIEW with Bobby Hurley

Welcome back to Off The Blocks Swimming Podcast for 2024, this week we previewing the 2024 Doha World Swimming Championships with none other than former World Champion and World Record Holder Bobby Hurley, and World Aquatics Expert Commentator Bobby Hurley.

Bobby Hurley and I review the week of action over in Doha last week, from the Aussie men surprising the world in the men's 50m form events with Isaac Cooper and Sam Williamson, to the Aussie women smashing it as well and great debuts for Iona Anderson and Jaclyn Barclay

We also discuss Pan's amazing World Record in the men's 100 Free leading off the relay, and then his follow up in the individual event, we talk about the US men's team disappointment, the distance events with Dan Wiffen stepping up and Haffnoui not hitting the mark. As well we touch on Cam McEvoys 50m events, where he went right and where he can learn.

All that and a whole lot more