4x Olympian (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Tokyo 2020)
Brent Hayden
4x Olympian, World Champion & creator of the Open Arm Recovery technique — helping swimmers and triathletes move faster with less effort.
Brent Hayden Swim Lab at Aquaventures Swim Centre · Vancouver · Swimming
Reviews
160
Starting Price
$99.00
Lessons
476
Followers
93
Social Media
Credentials
Highlights
- Developed the proprietary Open Arm Recovery (OAR) technique, used by thousands of swimmers to boost efficiency and eliminate shoulder pain
- First Canadian in 52 years to make the Olympic 100m Freestyle final, winning bronze at London 2012
- Co-World Champion in the 100m Freestyle (2007) — Canada's first world gold in the event in 21 years
- Made history at Tokyo 2021 as the oldest swimmer ever to break the 48-second barrier in the 100m Freestyle
- Over 6,800 swimmers worldwide have improved their technique through his Swimming Secrets program and coaching
Teaching Philosophy
My path to the Olympics was anything but conventional — I failed my first swimming lessons twice, almost ruined my shoulders, and nearly walked away from the sport more than once. Those experiences are the foundation of everything I teach. I know what it feels like to struggle, to doubt yourself, and to wonder if you'll ever get it right. That's exactly why I coach the way I do. I believe there is no single cookie-cutter technique that works for every swimmer. Everyone's body is different — different height, different strengths, different mechanics — and my job is to identify what will work best for you specifically. Using detailed video analysis, I break down your stroke frame by frame, pinpoint exactly what's holding you back, and give you a clear, actionable plan to fix it. My signature Open Arm Recovery (OAR) method and Stroke Dynamic Efficiency system were built on hard-won lessons from a decade on the world stage, insights from top biomechanists, and years of refining what actually works in the water. These aren't just theories — they are the methods I used to become the fastest freestyler in Canadian history and to come out of a seven-year retirement at age 36 and still break the 48-second barrier. Whether you're a triathlete chasing a faster T1, a masters swimmer trying to shave hundredths off your time, or a competitive swimmer building the foundations of a fast, pain-free stroke, I meet you where you are. My goal is always the same: help you swim faster, smoother, and with less effort — while keeping your shoulders healthy for the long haul.
About the coach
I'm Brent Hayden — for more than 2 decades I was widely regarded as the fastest swimmer in Canadian history, and now one of Canada's most sought-after swim coaches. My competitive career spanned four Olympic Games (Athens 2004 through Tokyo 2021), a World Championship gold medal in the 100m Freestyle in 2007, an Olympic bronze medal at London 2012, and double gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. I also held world records in the 4×100m Medley Relay and 4×200m Freestyle Relay, and I held the Canadian record holder in the 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle in both short and long course (100m LC and 200m SC still stand today!)
One of the defining moments of my career came when I returned from a seven-year retirement at age 36 — qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in just six months of training and becoming the oldest swimmer in history to break 48 seconds in the 100m Freestyle at the Games.
What makes my coaching different is that I've been on both sides of the struggle. I failed swimming lessons as a kid, nearly destroyed my shoulders, and had to rebuild my entire approach to the sport from the ground up. That journey gave me a deep, practical understanding of how technique can either unlock or limit a swimmer's potential. I developed the Open Arm Recovery (OAR) technique and the Stroke Dynamic Efficiency system specifically to help swimmers eliminate wasted energy, protect their shoulders, and find genuine speed.
I offer private lessons, semi-private packages, and swim camps (run alongside elite swim educator Nadina Zarifeh), and I'm inductee into the BC Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2013). I've been recognized as Swimming Canada's Swimmer of the Year four times and received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for my contributions to Canadian sport. I'm based in Vancouver, BC, and I coach swimmers of all levels — competitive, masters, and triathletes — both in person and remotely via video analysis.
Specialities
Sample Lesson
01.Original Videos
02.Analysis Videos
Reviews
Based on 160 ratings
Overall rating
Personable, knowledgeable, easy to comprehend. Nadina is also a great resource
Phred Martin
August 29, 2026 • Live
Brent provided a really detailed breakdown and analysis of my stroke with a bunch of different areas and recommendations, a number of drill demonstration videos, and even some follow up clarifications…
Owen Leggett
July 9, 2026 • Online
Absolutely incredible detailed analysis and feedback. Very excited to apply the technique adjustments that Brent very thoroughly and clearly explains. This analysis went above and beyond all expectat…
Rebecca Applebaum
June 15, 2026 • Live
Awesome coach
Allita Bain
April 9, 2026 • Online
Awesome
Allita Bain
March 17, 2026 • Online
Purchase Options
Stroke Analysis
1 Online Lesson- Unlock more speed and avoid common injuries with a detailed video analysis of your stroke using Skillest's analytical tool
- Learn exactly what fixes to make and HOW to make them.
Unlimited Monthly Plan
Unlimited Online Lessons
1 Course- UNLIMITED Video Analysis
- Swim faster through optimized technique
- Maximize efficiency for easier swimming
- AVOID shoulder pain & injuries caused by poor or outdated techniques
- Ongoing analysis to guarantee progress
- EXPERT insight from an Olympic Medallist
- *Limited to one swimmer per plan
- **Limited spaces available
- Course: Brent Hayden’s Freestyle Mastery System
