Pontivy: ten later, Laurent Cotten returns to the swimming club

We agreed to meet in ten years! These famous words from Patrick Bruel could perfectly suit the story of the new coach of thePontivy nautical hope.

Ten years After his time with the center-Breton club, Laurent Cotten is back. In the meantime, he experienced the high level with the Saint-Nazaire Atlantic swimming. He was thus able to coach qualified swimmers, even medalists at the French Championship.

Develop the level

From now on, he is a man “happy to find a family club” who has been discovering for a month (arriving on 1^er April 2024) the new shoots of Pontivy.

My goal is to create a group that performs at the regional or even interregional level within four or five years,” he says. And it’s off to a good start: “We already have qualified graduates at this level.

After all, he has the experience to achieve this, both in Loire-Atlantique and at ENP. “Before I left Pontivy, I had a good team of five swimmers who participated in the French Championship, like Amélie (Jouan, the president),” recalls Laurent.

For the new coach, the competitors will have to “show more rigor and sustainability in their work”. To help them improve technically, he will offer “more opportunities to come and train”.

You have to listen to the swimmers.

Laurent remains aware that there is more than just performance to take into account to achieve this objective. “We must hold discussions with local stakeholders. In any case, we have exceptional facilities in Pontivy, with The beach and the Spadium. »

Open water courses

It was also with Amélie Jouan that discussions took place for a return to Pontivy territory. If Laurent wants to develop the level, he also wants to bring something new. “I am considering setting up open water courses, from four to five days, on competition stages, such as in Quiberon, or even Redon. Two or three days before the start of an event, the swimmers will train on site,” announces the new coach.

That’s good: the first two rounds of the Brittany Cup in open water take place in Pontivy (May 18) and Guerlédan (June 22).

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