Kim Vandenberg
Kim Vandenberg
QUICK STATS
- Birthday: December 13, 1983
- Hometown: Moraga, California
- Now Resides: Brooklyn, New York
- College: University of California
- Height: 5’9”
- Coach: Kira Condos, Zoe Patience
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2008 Olympic bronze medalist (4x200m freestyle relay)
- Two-time gold medalist in 2011 Pan American Games (200m butterfly and 4x200m freestyle
relay) - 2007 World Championships silver medalist (200m butterfly)
- Three-time USA Swimming National Champion (200m butterfly)
EXPERIENCE
Witnessing a 7 a.m. sunrise every morning can be both a beautiful and brutal reality for swimmers, a dichotomy that Olympian Kim Vandenberg knows all too well. No one would expect such an elite athlete to have considered quitting her sport as a teenager, and that’s why Kim emphasizes balance and the importance of pushing past failures to keep her swimmers
from experiencing burnout.
“I missed the Olympic team three times…After many failed attempts, I finally made it. I view failure as an opportunity for growth.”
That growth came in the form of several national championships and top-three finishes in international competition, including a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In addition to using her own story to reinforce her motto “Never stop believing,” Kim is able to impart knowledge on her swimmers from a wide array of resources, drawing from a mosaic of training techniques she has encountered in her 27 years of swimming.
“I’ve traveled and trained around the world and have worked with the best coaches in the sport. I pull drills and lessons I have learned from my own experiences.”
Kim is not afraid to reveal these “secrets” to young swimmers, packaging them in an innovative, encouraging, and fun environment to boot. Not only will swimmers find themselves learning new, creative drills tailored to their specific stroke needs, but they’ll also understand the value of positive thought patterns and intrinsic reflection. Pushing past “self-limiting” beliefs is a topic on which Kim is an expert, an action she believes to be critical in growing as a person and athlete.
Fostering a healthy and competitive racing approach is crucial for success. Does your swimmer struggle in the meet environment? Kim remembers feeling “most focused and alive” in competition, and she yearns to cultivate this same eagerness in young swimmers. With an emphasis on body and head position, Kim will help athletes develop a natural feel for the water while reinforcing good practice habits. With this newfound “feel” and comfort, she hopes to instill a sense of confidence in her swimmers that will translate to race day.
All of this coupled with Kim’s passion for people makes for a perfect swim clinic experience. As an active philanthropist and ambassador for Room to Read (a leading nonprofit dedicated to girls’ education), she takes her role in fostering children’s development very seriously. A California native, Kim is a high-energy, passionate teacher who is dedicated to giving back to
the sport and its future generations of athletes.
“The most important thing is to believe in yourself no matter how far you are from your goals,” Kim advises, “If you have a vision, it can manifest with the right support system, training, and preparation.”
Become a true student of the sport, and learn from one of the best in the field! Sign up for Kim’s next clinic today!
Participant Feedback From Kim's Clinics
“Kim Vandenberg was amazing, mindful and extremely professional-what a positive and wonderful experience it was to take a clinic with her. Thank you!” –Sandra, from Voorhees, NJ
“This event has received nothing but good compliments from participants and coaches. The three (Gary, Kim and Nils) were absolutely amazing!” –Jason, from Lebanon, OH
