From Local Pools to the US: The Early Years of Denise Prado
The coach recalls family support, moving to Mogi das Cruzes, and earning a full scholarship to swim and study in Texas.
Denise Prado's journey in swimming began in childhood and opened doors that changed the trajectory of her entire family. In a conversation on Natação Stemma, she reflects on her early steps in the sport, earning a full athletic scholarship to the United States, and transitioning to a coaching career.
Denise Prado's sporting journey began at age eight, driven by the heat of her hometown in upstate São Paulo and a family life centered around the pool. At a time when structured athletic support was still rare, daily life revolved around split times, goals, and swim meets. Her parents were so involved that her father mounted loudspeakers on his Rural station wagon to drive through town announcing race schedules—and he later took up competitive swimming himself in the masters category.
The Move to Mogi das Cruzes at Age 15
Her standout performances in early strokes quickly opened up opportunities beyond her hometown. At 15, Denise made the uncommon decision for the era to move to Mogi das Cruzes for training, staying with the family of Carlos Augusto Ferreira Alves, known as Carlito, president of the local swim club. The warm welcome and training infrastructure played a decisive role in solidifying her growth as a competitive swimmer.
College Experience and a Full Scholarship in Texas
Her competitive success earned Denise a full scholarship to study and swim in the United States, in Midland, Texas. At age 20 and newly graduated from high school, she experienced the life of a college student-athlete over three academic semesters, balancing demanding practices, work, and strict academic standards to keep her athletic scholarship.
Her time abroad not only broadened her technical skill set with specializations in swimming and early childhood education, but also paved the way for her siblings to secure similar athletic scholarships to study abroad.
Returning to Brazil and Early Steps as a Coach
Upon returning from the United States, Denise brought her hands-on experience to the pool deck. After teaching at Colégio Policurso in Mogi das Cruzes, she was invited to coach at A Hebraica in São Paulo, where her siblings were already training. This opportunity marked the definitive start of her coaching career, cementing her commitment to teaching children and adults with a focus on technical development, discipline, and respect for each swimmer's learning curve.