Some of Bermuda’s best swimmers have returned to the island to compete in the Ascot National Championships this weekend.

Among their number is Sam Williamson, who will be the man to beat in seven events during the three-day meet, which begins this evening at the Aquatic Centre, National Sports Centre.

Williamson is entering a new phase in his life after graduating from Bath University and is planning to base himself in Bermuda as he combines attempting to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with his love of coaching.

The 21-year-old, who represented Bermuda at the Pan American Games in Chile in 2023, has started his own company, SwimSam, to help teach young people to swim and the joy he has found has led to him contemplating becoming a teacher.

“Last summer I started my own business,” Williamson said.

“I started teaching young kids how to swim and the fundamentals. I would get them comfortable in the water and teach them how to be safe before getting them to learn some strokes.

“I found coaching actually did come really natural, which is why in the near future I think I’m going to do a teaching degree to become a schoolteacher.

“Sometimes you hear that people get frustrated trying to teach people something that they can do really well but that wasn’t the case for me. I found it really cool to help young kids, who couldn’t really swim before, go on to join clubs like Sharks and Harbour. I was so happy to see the effect I can have on these children and guide them into swimming and keep them safe.”

Word has already started to spread about SwimSam and Williamson is now getting requests from all age groups to help improve their techniques.

“This summer I am doing the same thing and I have multiple bookings already,” Williamson said.

“I have little kids learning to swim and adults who want to compete in triathlons and masters swimming. Some of the more established kids have already messaged me for lane sessions to keep their fitness going while they are back in Bermuda over the summer.”

The National Championships could be a great showcase for Williamson and he is hoping to use the meet to inspire some of Bermuda’s younger swimmers.

“I know that there will be younger people here for who this will be their first Nationals and I want to really be able to show them a professional approach and that the Nationals are important to Bermuda,” Williamson said.

“When I was younger it was super competitive and it was a really big step for us going to Nationals and we all pushed each other to get better.

“You can never really guarantee who was going to win each event but I want to show the new swimmers and the parents that a professional attitude and taking things seriously can be combined with having fun.”

Now back in Bermuda full time, Williamson is taking the chance to experiment with coaches and training partners as his focus turns to the long multiyear grind of attempting to qualify for the Olympics.

“At the moment the plan is to train from here but I’m still trying to figure out what will be the best solution for me going forward,” he said.

“Shona Palmer [national coach] is still my coach but she is very busy at times and I want to see how I work with other coaches as well.

“Since I’ve been back I’ve been working with Brandon Adkins. He’s stepped away from swimming to launch a coaching career and I’ll start to work with Liam Evans in the gym.

“From the outside swimming looks very individual but it is a team effort. Even if you train for different events having someone else in the pool with you helps to keep you accountable, motivated and doing the sets properly. If anybody out there is looking to have a training partner to swim with I’m open to jumping in the pool with anyone.

“I’ve told myself that I’m going to swim as properly and professionally as I can until 2028. I’m giving myself the next Olympic cycle and then I’ll evaluate what I want to do with my life.

“From now until LA my mindset is swimming as fast as possible and trying to qualify for the Olympics.”

• Anybody interested in coaching sessions should e-mail info@swimsam.com or visit swimsam.bm