Thorpe’s coach works with Kiwi
When Ian Thorpe arrived at the Sydney Olympics, snaring three gold and two silver medals, Doug Frost was in the stands watching his young charge excel.
As of this month, Frost – a member of swim coaching royalty – joined promising New Zealand swimmer Lewis Clareburt’s camp as he targets medals at the Tokyo Olympics and beyond.
The Wellington 19-year-old is coached by Gary Hollywood at the Capital Swim Club, but when Hollywood got in touch with his coaching mentor, Frost, they were able to form a dream coaching team for Clareburt.
‘‘I’ve heard a lot about Lewis because we talk about Lewis,’’ Frost said. ‘‘Gary’s got a pretty good handle on things, but we still discuss. He talks about what I did, and I talk about what I’d do [with the programme].
‘‘It’s not about me, it’s making sure everything is right for his programme . . . and Lewis is a product of that.’’
Frost has been in semi-retirement, living on a golf course in Australia. He loves his rugby league, following his beloved St George-Illawarra Dragons closely, and is a big fan of rock and roll.
When Hollywood got in contact, asking for some assistance with his swim programme while he attended his father’s 80th birthday in Ireland, Frost headed for the closest airport.
In little over a week in Wellington, Frost has only good things to say about Clareburt.
‘‘[Lewis] has all the qualities. I’ve only been here for a week-and-a-half but I now know where [he’s] at and the potential [he] has and I’m quite impressed with the work ethic.’’
Clareburt himself seems to be thriving on the additional coaching from Frost. ‘‘I think he’s going to be involved over the next few years, hopefully, giving me and Gary a few tips,’’ Clareburt said.
‘‘It’s been two weeks with him here. He’s your classic Aussie bloke, watches the NRL and listens to a bit of rock and roll, but you can tell he’s very experienced.
‘‘The first week he was analysing how we do things and this week, especially with some of the young ones in the squad, he’s got on their back a bit about turning up to training, all the basics.
‘‘He’s trying to bring in that high performance atmosphere that we want here.’’
Frost’s arrival in New Zealand comes during a period in which New Zealand and Australian swimming has been on something of a downturn. The last Olympic Games in Rio didn’t go to plan for either nation, with a disappointing lack of swimming medals compared with Olympics of the past.
‘‘Attitudes are changing a little bit with the youth, with work ethic,’’ Frost said of today’s swimmers.
‘‘But from what I’ve seen here, I’m quite impressed. I think Gary’s programme, the Capital programme, will have a lot of success in the future.’’