Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh is making a major change in her career as she sets her sights on the 2028 Olympics. The 18-year-old from Toronto has announced that this will be her final season training at the Sarasota Sharks under coach Brent Arckey, the mentor who helped her achieve incredible success at the Paris Olympics.
McIntosh is now considering legendary coach Bob Bowman, best known for training Michael Phelps to an unprecedented 23 Olympic gold medals. As she continues to grow in her career, she believes Bowman’s expertise in handling multi-event swimmers could be the key to unlocking her full potential.
A New Chapter for McIntosh
In an exclusive interview with CBC Sports, McIntosh reflected on her time in Sarasota, expressing deep gratitude for everything she has achieved under Arckey’s guidance.
“Just to reflect on the past almost three years I’ve been in Sarasota, I’ve grown so much as a person and a swimmer. Coach Brent really pushed me to be the best swimmer I could be. I will forever cherish my years here. It’s been a great run.”
Despite the upcoming transition, McIntosh will continue training with Arckey as she prepares for the World Championships in Singapore this July. Arckey is expected to remain part of the Canadian coaching team during the event.
Bob Bowman: The Next Step?
Bowman, who recently became the head coach at the University of Texas, has built one of the world’s top training programs, coaching elite swimmers such as Leon Marchand, Regan Smith, and Simone Manuel. Given his vast experience, McIntosh sees him as the ideal coach to guide her through a demanding multi-event Olympic program.
“Bob coaching the greatest of all time—Michael Phelps—being able to do all those events is definitely an attraction. As I move forward in my career, I still want to continue to develop other events.”
McIntosh is set to visit the University of Texas in March to explore her options, though she has made it clear that she is not interested in competing in the NCAA. Instead, she is looking for a professional training group that offers more flexibility and individual focus.
“The NCAA is a great option, but for me personally, I think a pro team makes more sense because it has a lot more flexibility and it’s a lot more individual.”
Support from Coach Arckey
While the decision to move on is bittersweet, Coach Arckey fully supports McIntosh’s transition. He acknowledges that Bowman and the University of Texas offer an exceptional training environment, making it the ideal next step in her journey.
“If you can find me a better place, then I’m all ears. It’s a great opportunity. I’ve been supportive of this the entire time. I want to make sure she’s going somewhere where she’s going to get better and spread her wings.”
Arckey also expressed pride in McIntosh’s accomplishments under his coaching. Since joining the Sarasota Sharks, she has set world records, won multiple world championship titles, and became the first Canadian to win three gold medals in a single Olympics. In 2024, she was named Canada’s Athlete of the Year and World Aquatics’ Female Swimmer of the Year.
“Since the moment I stepped on deck just as a visitor, I knew coach Brent believed in me. When I first moved here, I never thought I’d be leaving with all the medals and the records and all the stuff that we’ve accomplished.”
What’s Next for McIntosh?
With her sights set on five gold medals at the 2028 Olympics, Summer McIntosh is making a bold move in her career. As she weighs her options and prepares for the World Championships, all eyes will be on where she ultimately chooses to train.
One thing is certain—McIntosh is just getting started, and the world of swimming should brace for even more record-breaking performances from this young Canadian superstar.