Lions Swim Academy

Lions Swim Academy is managed by the Aquatics Department and is part of the wider Athletic program at Stamford American International School.  Located at the Woodleigh campus of SAIS, the school boasts two 8-lane, 25m pools equipped with full electronic timing. Led by five full-time coaching staff members, the program continues to grow year after year.  The academy has a capacity of 300 swimmers, ranging from after-school activities (Learn to Swim) to the competitive school team (Lions Swim Academy). Lions Swim Academy is a paid activity.

“To support the aquatic journey through Learning, Development or Performance experiences that will enrich the student’s life.”

From one to nine sessions per week, there are plenty of opportunities to train and compete. With principles from the Optimal Athlete Development framework, our staff are uniquely positioned to balance cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development of the student-swimmer alongside their academic expectations.

Underpinning our program philosophy are three guiding statements:

1. Swimming builds great people

We believe in starting with ‘why’. Swimming builds great people by fostering lifelong, transferable skills related to effective time management, progressive goal setting, abilities challenges, and learning to cope with disappointment and successes. We understand that each student-athlete progresses at a different pace and requires opportunity appropriate to their ability level. As such, our coaches individualize training plans and our squad and competition structure offers progression in a timely manner.

2. Success is a feeling

Success is seen as a feeling generated from a variety of sources such as academic achievement, sporting success and character development. Not only do we recognise results, we recognise improvements.

3. Being part of something bigger.

We believe in Lion Pride, where our student-athletes have a sense of belonging to our swim program. We consider Lions Swim Academy to be part of the vital fabric of school life. Feeling part of something bigger is the ultimate aim.

If you are interested in finding out more, you can visit the mini-site here.

“Our coaches strive to turn hard work into strength and every lap into a lesson.”

Ariel Li Grade 11

Zorro Chen is an accomplished Aquatics Director and Swimming Coach with extensive experience in developing high-performing aquatic programs within leading educational institutions. A former Chinese national record-holder in the 200m freestyle (1996–2001), he combines elite competitive expertise with a commitment to fostering inclusive, disciplined, and aspirational sports communities.

Previously, as Aquatics Director at Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong, he was responsible for the design and execution of comprehensive swimming programmes integrated into both the Physical Education and Co-Curricular Activities curricula. His portfolio included the organisation of extracurricular swimming sessions, management of competitive meets, and coordination of large-scale events such as swim galas. He also expanded the school’s aquatic offerings to include artistic swimming, water polo, and lifesaving. Under his leadership, Dulwich College achieved the Overall Team Champion title at the 2025 ACAMIS Junior Swimming Competition.

Prior to this, Zorro served as Head Coach at Dulwich College Shanghai, guiding teams to top finishes in the Shanghai International Swimming League and notable performances at international meets such as the Patana Feeding Frenzy in Bangkok. His coaching achievements include mentoring athletes to national and international gold medals:

• Gold medal, 100m Female Champion, National Championship 2005

• Double Gold, 50m and 100m Female Backstroke, FINA World Cup South Africa 2006

• Gold medal, 4x100m Female Freestyle Relay, Asia Championships 2006

• 4 Gold medals, Middle School World Championship, Spain 2005

Beyond coaching, Zorro has held senior roles in leadership development and communication consulting, working with multinational clients such as GE and Volvo through Concentric International Consulting. He is a Certified MBTI Trainer, a WSCA Level 5 Coach, and holds accreditation from the American Swimming Coaches Association.

At Stamford American, Zorro is dedicated to building a sports-minded community that inspires resilience, teamwork, and personal excellence. Through strategic programme planning, disciplined coaching, and a focus on character development, he aims to cultivate exceptional experiences for student-athletes and foster a lifelong passion for aquatic sports.