Harrison Turner Inspires Cannons

Harrison Turner Inspires Cannons

The Cannonvale Cannons swimming community enjoyed an extraordinary weekend when Australian record holder Harrison Turner spent three days delivering a coaching clinic for swimmers of all ages.

Turner, who claimed bronze in the 200-metre butterfly at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, is the current national record holder in the event. He had been scheduled to attend alongside coach Sam Sharpe, but when Sam was unable to travel due to a family illness, Harrison stepped into the role of head coach — a challenge he embraced with enthusiasm.

“I was very nervous, but also really excited,” Harrison admitted. “It was an opportunity I’d never had before — to take on a full coaching role while also getting in the pool myself. I thought I gave it a red-hot crack, and it was good to bring my own approach to the sessions.”

Across the three days, Cannonvale swimmers from juniors through to seniors took part in multiple sessions designed to sharpen their skills and inspire their training. On Friday, Harrison began by sharing his medals with the younger swimmers before diving into a butterfly set — the stroke that earned him national selection — and finishing with a talk for seniors and parents about his journey from a pre-teen club swimmer to an international representative.

Saturday morning featured a demanding aerobic session in which Harrison swam alongside the kids, demonstrating technique and endurance first-hand. The afternoon turned the focus to starts and turns, vital components of competitive racing. On Sunday, Harrison led the squad through his full race-day preparation, beginning with dryland exercises crafted for him by leading physiotherapists and moving into his personalised in-water warm-up. Swimmers were able to shadow his routines and gain insights into how an elite athlete prepares to perform at the highest level.

“What surprised me most was how engaged everyone is, not just the swimmers but the families too,” Harrison said. “The eagerness to get in the pool, to listen and learn — I haven’t seen that kind of energy before. Whether it was teenagers or the little ones, they all did a fantastic job, and in such a short time they improved so much.”

The experience also left Harrison reflecting on his own future:
“It’s very rewarding when you show a kid your way of doing something and see them improve straight away. Watching them swim faster and enjoy themselves makes you feel really good. Coaching is definitely something I’ll be considering more in the future.”

For the Cannons, the clinic provided not just technical training, but also the rare opportunity to connect with an elite athlete who is as humble as he is talented. Turner now turns his focus to the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in the USA and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with the Cannonvale Cannons proudly cheering him on.

Contributed with thanks to Jade Korosec

‍

Harrison Turner shares medals with Brooklyn and Tannah Congoo
Harrison Turner preparing swimmers for his pre race warm up
Harrrison Turner showing Cannons his dives
Harrison Turner with Cannons and his Australia cap
Harrison Turner dives with Coach Mark Erickson
Harrison at the World Champs
Harrison Turner at the World Champs in Singapore

Photos supplied

‍