Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

Legendary coach Dave Durden joins Social Kick to talk culture, champions, and what really matters in elite swim training. As the head coach of the California Golden Bears, Dave has built one of the most successful programs in college swimming history, developing Olympic champions and sustained excellence. In this episode, he breaks down his coaching philosophy, why evaluating how athletes move in the water matters more than times, and how long-term planning shapes winning environments. We also dive into recruiting, building trust, and why Dave believes social kick might be one of the most important — and overlooked — parts of training. Whether you’re a swimmer, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode is packed with insight, perspective, and stories from one of swimming’s most respected leaders. Follow Social Kick and drop a comment with your favorite Dave Durden memory or your go-to social kick set.

Dude, what a year.” In this year-end episode of The Social Kick Podcast, the full crew — Bryan Lundquist, Dr. John Mullen, and Luke Paddington — gets together to close out 2025 by debating the most unforgettable moments in swimming. We break down the races that defined the year, from Leon Marchand skipping the 1:53s entirely in the 200 IM to Katie Ledecky breaking the 15-minute barrier at a home invitational. We also dig into the moments that sparked debate and disbelief, including the Florida relay disqualification at NCAAs, the removal of B-Finals from the NCAA format, and a “pool measurement” conspiracy surrounding world records. The conversation moves from jaw-dropping performances to the hardest training sets of the year — including a Sven Schwarz distance workout that stopped Bryan in his tracks — before wrapping with bold predictions and personal goals heading into 2026. Topics include: Race of the Year debates The women’s 800 free and Ledecky’s historic swim NCAA controversies and format changes The hardest sets of 2025 Big interviews, breakout moments, and WTF stories Bold predictions and goals for 2026 It’s equal parts analysis, opinion, humor, and reflection — a true end-of-year conversation for swimmers, coaches, and fans who lived every moment of the 2025 season.

John Shortt is emerging as one of the most exciting young backstrokers in the world. In this episode of The Social Kick Podcast, the Irish standout and World Junior Champion joins us to talk through his rapid rise on the international stage, including his performances at World Juniors and the European Short Course Championships. Known for his closing speed and elite turns, John breaks down the technical details that separate his backstroke and how years of training in a 20-meter pool shaped his underwater skills. We discuss his development pathway, confidence-building training sets, and how he balances racing multiple backstroke distances while staying technically sound under pressure. John also shares insight into life at Ireland’s National Training Centre in Limerick, why he chose to stay home rather than pursue U.S. college options, and what’s driving Ireland’s growing momentum in international swimming. The conversation mixes detailed swimming insight with lighter moments, giving a clear picture of both the athlete and the person behind the results. A must-listen for swimmers, coaches, and fans interested in elite backstroke, athlete development, and the next generation of international talent.

Will Modglin just delivered one of the fastest backstroke performances in NCAA history. In this episode of The Social Kick Podcast, we sit down with the new American record holder in the 100-yard backstroke after his 43.26 swim at the Texas Hall of Fame Invite. He also clocked the fastest 50-yard backstroke ever with a 20.00 lead-off split, coming within a touch of breaking one of swimming’s most iconic barriers. A junior at the University of Texas and a U.S. National Team member, Will breaks down the mindset behind those record swims, the training culture at Texas under Bob Bowman, and how racing in one of the deepest backstroke groups in the NCAA has shaped his confidence. We also dive into his unusual versatility, including how he went 50.9 in the 100 breaststroke with minimal breaststroke-specific training, how he approaches event selection, and where IM and long-course goals fit into his future. The conversation wraps with audience questions and a rapid-fire round covering training, competition, and swim culture as Will looks ahead to what’s next in a breakout career.

Sven Schwarz is one of the fastest-rising distance swimmers in the world, training up to 100K per week and relying almost entirely on feel to guide his pace. In this episode of The Social Kick Podcast, Sven breaks down the work, the mindset, and the new level of men’s distance swimming. We talk about training volume, threshold pace, recovery habits, coach communication, race prep, and why he skipped the 2025 European Championships. If you’re into distance swimming or elite training insights, this conversation delivers. Subscribe for more interviews with the world’s top swimmers.