Charlie Houchin Leaves FAST, Launches Own Pro Swim Team in Jacksonville

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 6

January 03rd, 2012 National

Charlie Houchin was 14th in the 400 free at the World Championships in Shanghai, coming off of training with the professional group at FAST in Fullerton, California.

Since returning from China, however, Houchin has left FAST and begun training solo in Jacksonville, Florida, alongside the Bolles School swim program. He has begun the organization of his own pro sports team called IX3, alongside former world-class triathlete/coach John Payne.

Thus far, Houchin is the only athlete in the group, though by looking at the website, the ambition seems to be setting up a multi-sport training group.

“Having streamlined his professional career to suit his approach to the sport, Houchin now trains solo with an eye towards World Championships and also the 2012 Olympic Games,” according to the official IX3 website.

What this basically alludes to is the Sean Hutchion, ultra-cerebral approach to training. It was under Hutchison that Houchin kicked off his professional career (following time spent working with Bob Bowman’s huge-yardage theories at Michigan). After only four months of training with Hutchison at FAST, Houchin had earned a spot on the American Pan Pac, and World Championship, squads.

Brazilians Fabiola Molina and Diago Yabe (who are married) are also competing under the IX3 banner at the Austin Grand Prix. The pair has been training at Bolles since last year with post-grad coach Gustavo Calado, a Brazilian native.

 

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Harry
12 years ago

I have a hard time not seeing Kukors making the US Team in the 200 IM. There’s nobody besides Leverenz that is close, and with Kukor’s 206 swim she put herself into a different category as a swimmer.

joeb
12 years ago

lots of pressure now on sergio…..has he ever coached a USA swimmers to the olympics?

don
12 years ago

Excellent choice! I hope Houchin ends up there too.

andy
12 years ago
don
12 years ago

Yep, he was attatched to socal after Hutchison left but was pretty much training himself I heard. I dont think he ever swam with Urbs group after leaving Michigan. Good luck to him, if it doesnt work he can always hook up with Lopez who I think is one of the great under the radar coaches out there.

joeb
12 years ago

he left FAST a long time ago…old news. he represented a different club all summer.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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