Blog
What Hamilton Taught Me
Who am I?
Before I get into the lessons I’ve learned, I think it makes sense to start by telling you a bit about who I am.
My name is Aiden Gerst, and I’m 18 years old. I recently graduated from the American School of Dubai, where I was honoured with the Ambassador's Award for Academic Excellence, which is one of just three major awards presented at graduation, recognizing the student who best represents the school’s values and academic standards. I’ve also served as an officer of Tri-M and been an active member of both Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society.
Athletically, I’ve competed at both U.S. Nationals and Junior Nationals, and I recently placed in the top 5 juniors in the 100 Backstroke. I hold multiple club records across various events and have trained with Hamilton Aquatics for nearly a decade - widely regarded as the best swimming academy in Dubai.
That is me now, but I’ve always been one to compete for as long as I can remember, whether it was card games with my grandma, sports with friends, or racing to get into class first. That competitive spirit led me to try almost every sport imaginable. From track to wrestling, I gave them all a shot. But eventually, I found my way to the pool.
When I moved to Dubai at age 8, I knew I wanted to keep chasing that passion for sports. I joined several school teams at first, but it wasn’t enough. The next year, I joined Hamilton Aquatics, and that’s where everything changed.
What makes my experience even more unique is the number of perspectives I’ve had the chance to learn from. Over the years, I’ve worked with more than ten different coaches at Hamilton. Each one brought something different: different training methods, different expectations, or even different ways of thinking. And from each of them, I took away something valuable. What I’ve learned isn’t just from one coach or one style; it’s an accumulation of years of wisdom, experience, and mentorship from some of the best in the field.
Nearly ten years later, I’m still in the water. But swimming has taught me far more than how to train or race. It’s shaped how I think, how I carry myself, and how I face the world. The following are just a few of the lessons that have stayed with me. They are lessons from my years in Hamilton Aquatics that I’ll carry with me for life.
Focus:
One of the first lessons I learned, and one that fundamentally changed the way I approach challenges both in and out of the water, is the importance of focus. I’ve always been a strong believer in hard work, a value I credit largely to my parents' influence, and there’s no doubt it has played a major role in my progress as an athlete and student. Whether in the pool or the classroom, that belief has guided me through challenges and helped shape who I am today.
After my first year with Hamilton Aquatics, I was faced with a humbling moment: I wasn’t moved up to the Performance Pathway from the Potential Squad. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, I was the only swimmer to be held back in Potential. I was told that before I could move forward, I needed to learn how to swim with good technique. That was a turning point for me. It was no longer about just working hard, but rather working smart. Swimming isn’t just a physical sport; it demands a huge amount of mental presence and control. You must be fully aware of your body, your form, your timing, and your feel. Without focus, your body simply won’t do what you want it to.
So, young Aiden had to take a step back. I learned to direct my energy with purpose, to tune in, and to pay attention to the little things that make a big difference. Learning how to focus made my training more effective, my racing more intentional, and my mindset stronger. And that lesson, about choosing to be mentally present and deliberate, applies far beyond the pool. Whether it’s studying, working on a passion project, or having a meaningful conversation, focus is what transforms effort into progress.
Discipline:
The second major lesson I learned is the importance of discipline. Once I figured out how to stay focused, I began to understand that focus alone isn’t enough; what truly creates long-term progress is consistency. And consistency is built through discipline.
For a younger kid, it can be difficult to stay motivated all the time. But I’ve come to believe something that’s stuck with me through every season: motivation may fluctuate, but discipline is what keeps the fire burning. It’s easy to train when you feel inspired. But what separates those who make steady, lasting progress from those who plateau is the ability to show up even when they don’t feel like it.
Whether it’s a 4 A.M. alarm, dragging yourself out of bed for morning training, or pushing through a second practice after a school day full of tests, discipline is what carries you through. Discipline means doing what needs to be done, regardless of how you feel. It means tuning out distractions and showing up for yourself, day in and day out.
This lesson doesn’t just apply to swimming. In today’s world, where we’re constantly pulled in a thousand directions, learning to stay disciplined is a skill that can benefit you endlessly. Whether it’s academics, work, or personal goals, success comes from what you do consistently, not just when you’re motivated, but especially when you’re not.
Balance:
While I’ve learned many lessons during my time at Hamilton, one of the most important has been balance. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the greatest skills I’ve developed. Whether it’s balancing training to push your body without risking injury, juggling school, swim, and social life, or even physically learning how to be more balanced, Hamilton has taught me how to find equilibrium in many ways.
Growing up in Dubai, especially as a kid passionate about a wide range of activities, finding that balance wasn’t always easy. But by my final year, I truly began to understand what it meant to live a balanced life. Balance isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s something deeply personal that each person needs to figure out for themselves. And it starts with one key question: What really matters to you?
When you identify the things that truly matter, you can put your heart into them without feeling like you’re sacrificing everything else. You stop spreading yourself thin and start pouring yourself fully into the things that align with your values. That’s when you grow most sustainably and enjoy the process, too.
So, my advice? Take time to reflect with your support system (coaches, parents, teachers, counsellors) and define what balance looks like for you. Because once you find it, everything becomes a little clearer, a little calmer, and a lot more fulfilling.
What should I take away?
If you’ve made it this far, first of all, thank you. I know this blog has been a long one, and if you’re sitting there thinking you didn’t really learn anything new, I’m sorry… but hey, that probably means you’re already doing something right!
And if everything I said gets read and then instantly forgotten, let this be the one thing that sticks: enjoy yourself.
Enjoy the process, the grind, the early mornings, and the late nights. Take pride in being a Hamilton Aquatics swimmer. You’re part of something special. And before you know it, you’ll be moving on to new and exciting chapters of your life.
One final thought to remember, by staying true to the values of focus, discipline, balance, and reflection, you don’t just set yourself up for success. You also help create an environment that brings out the best in others. The energy you bring to training, the attitude you carry on the tough days, and the way you treat your teammates, all of it matters. When you lead with intention and purpose, you inspire those around you to do the same, creating a space where everyone can grow, improve, and succeed together. That’s something I’ve always tried to prioritize; creating a positive environment. I hope I’ve left a lasting impact on the Elite Squad through the example I set. Whether I have or haven’t, I hope this blog serves as a reminder to all Hamilton swimmers to be your best selves and to uplift those around you.
So, give it your all, make the most of the journey, and don’t forget to look around and appreciate it as it’s happening. Best of luck to each and every one of you. Lastly, thank you, Hamilton Aquatics, for everything you’ve done for me.