In Part II of Behind the Blocks at Cal, we’re back in Berkeley, California, for a closer look at one of the most successful programs in collegiate swimming. During my visit to Cal, Coach Dave Durden broke down how he structures the team's weekly training schedule and how the different pieces fit together throughout the season. One thing I really enjoyed was getting a better understanding of the thought process behind the training, from managing the demands of the week to making sure athletes are developing the skills and habits they need to perform when it matters most. At a program with such a strong championship history, the details behind the daily work are just as interesting as the results themselves.

We also spent time talking about how Cal approaches training with intention. Rather than simply focusing on yardage or completing a prescribed number of repetitions, the emphasis is on understanding the purpose behind the work, improving efficiency, and developing the technical details that translate into faster swimming. From underwater skills and turns to execution at race pace, those small details become habits when they're reinforced consistently. Coach Durden has helped build a program with sustained success at the NCAA level, and getting to hear how he thinks about organizing training and developing athletes was a valuable experience for me as both a coach and a lifelong swimmer.

I also sat down with Coach Josh Huger, who was still part of the Cal staff when this video was filmed and has since moved on to become the head swimming and diving coach at Bucknell University. Josh shared some great insight into Cal's recruiting process, including what coaches look for when evaluating potential student-athletes and why finding the right fit goes beyond swimming times alone. Recruiting is about understanding the athlete, their goals, their work ethic, and how they might contribute to the team environment. For swimmers and families navigating the college recruiting process, hearing how a championship-level program approaches those decisions offers a useful perspective on what it takes to find the right college program.

Beyond the training and recruiting, what stood out to me was the importance of tradition and environment at Cal. Championship programs don't build their identity overnight. They develop standards, expectations, and a sense of responsibility that gets passed from one generation of athletes to the next. At Cal, that history creates an environment where swimmers are challenged to improve while also becoming part of something bigger than themselves. That's what makes these visits so valuable to me: getting behind the scenes, learning directly from coaches at the highest level, and sharing ideas that can help swimmers, coaches, and parents better understand the sport. Thanks to Coach Durden, Coach Josh, and the Cal staff for welcoming me. Enjoy Part II of my visit to Cal Berkeley!

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