Slambook: Nithin Raghavan
Nithin Raghavan of Golden State Aquatics fills out the SwimmingDrive Slambook — on chasing a Junior National cut, why his coach's voice sticks with him before every race, and his not-so-secret love for pickleball.
JN Cut
Most Memorable PB
7 yrs
Age Started
100 Fly
Event He Wants to Try
GSA
Golden State Aquatics
🏊 In the Water
Best Swim Meet Memory
The meet where he landed his first Futures cut.
Most Memorable PB
His Junior National cut
Hardest Set Conquered
40 × 100s SCY (5 free, 5 IM repeat) on 1:10
Favourite Pool
🌋 Mt. San Antonio College Pool, Walnut, California
Dream Competition
🏅 Asian Games
Swim Goals for the Future
Becoming an internationally recognised athlete
Secret Event to Try
🏃 100 Butterfly
🧠 The Mind
Swimming Inspiration
Coach Piankhi Gibson
Pre-Race Ritual
Cracks his toes behind the block.
Swim Superstition
Deep breaths on the blocks — and always the lucky suit, jacket, cap and goggles.
😄 Off the Blocks
Favourite Food Indulgence
🍔 In-N-Out
Favourite Swim Gear
Goggles
Go-To Pump-Up Song
🎵 “Cry For Me” — The Weeknd
Hobbies Outside Swimming
🏕 Pickleball
Funniest Thing at Swim Camp
Involves teammates Armin Schneider, Brother Nate, Xander Carnicolas and Huck Russell — he wouldn’t say more than that.
If Not a Swimmer?
🏉 Professional pickleball player
Non-Swimming Thing That Helps
Pickleball, again
Most Embarrassing Swim Moment
His suit falling off — mid-race.
❤️ Heart of the Sport
One Thing Non-Swimmers Should Know
The dedication and love for the grind — how long it takes, and how you can’t miss a day. Also, that tapering is good for speed.
What Swimming Taught Him That School Never Could
Discipline.
Best Advice for Beginners
Trust the process. Listen to your coach — unless your coach is bad.
To a Younger Nithin
“It will all hopefully work out in the end.”
— Nithin Raghavan | Golden State Aquatics, California
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