Johan Kenkhuis won silver in 2004 and bronze in 2000 at the Olympics, as a freestyle specialist. After his active career, he worked as a commentator for Dutch broadcasters. But in January 2017, he founded SwimGym, a place that simply did not exist yet: a full-fledged training pool specifically for swimmers and triathletes, in the middle of the city.
The pool has two Olympic 50-meter lanes that are split into four 25-meter lanes for group lessons. Poolside hangs large screens showing technique videos, and during personal training, swimmers are filmed both above and below the water. Coach Michael Stolt specializes in triathlon and has two Ironman finishes to his name. Together with coaches Roy van der Woude, Anna Morsink and Loes Zanderink, he forms a team in which everyone has swum, trained or coached at the professional or international level. Dennis Rekvelt and Kaylee De Jong complete the coaching staff. No theory from behind a desk, but people who know how it feels to make meters.
The water is mildly special. SwimGym uses saltwater electrolysis combined with automated pH control, which minimizes the amount of chlorine. You can smell the difference as soon as you enter. The building sits right next to Wibautstraat subway station, in East, and is open on weekdays from 6:30 in the morning until 11 in the evening. On weekends until eight o'clock. Those are wider hours than most other training pools in the city.
The coaches, all of whom have swum at a high level themselves, know exactly what it takes to make someone better in the water.
The coaches, all of whom have swum at a high level themselves, know exactly what it takes to make someone better in the water. An annual membership starts at 102 euros per month, or you can opt for a monthly subscription. SwimGym is accessible by subway, and those who come by car can park at the adjacent parking lot. So serious swimming doesn't have to be sought outside the city.