Social Kick • Swim Culture & Stories

E298 - Underwater Masterclass & Beyond: Tom Shields on Clinics, Surfing, and Mental Health | Episode 299

Published: May 27, 2026

Duration: 1:03:16

Is he the best underwater kicker of all time? We think so—and so does Coach Dave Durden! In this episode of the Social Kick Podcast, Olympic Gold Medalist and Cal Bear legend Tom Shields joins the crew to talk about his life post-retirement, his new swimming clinics, and his life in Santa Cruz, California.

 

Tom takes us through his incredible career, revealing the exact moment he realized his underwaters were world-class and how he used his turns to dominate the sport. But Tom’s next chapter goes far beyond the pool. He details his new t...