“It Was The Happiest Swim I Have Had”

Realistically, how much difference can one 1-1 session make?

I have had several swimmers come to me in recent weeks with their long distance swims looming, their confidence and comfort in open water low, and their anxiety levels off the charts!

To try and help, some of these swimmers have come to our Saturday morning ‘Introductory’ open water swim groups, others have come for a dedicated open water 1-1.

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Here are two incredible emails from one of these swimmers – a ‘before’ and ‘after’.

The Enquiry

The first is pre-1-1. I read this email and just had to switch my calendar around, including calling in favours for school pick ups, to see if I could help this athlete.

Hi Bryan,

I’m writing this email at 05:20 in the morning because I cannot sleep. I am concerned about my confidence in open water swimming. I have an Ironman in 5 weeks and although I am happy in the pool, having improved my swim time by 30 secs per 100m in the last year (I started at a low base)!  when it comes to open water I panic and have seen no improvement in my speed or confidence in OW. 

I have a few friends that I believe you have worked with and I have noticed big improvements in their confidence, attitude and speed in OW. So I am hoping you will help me overcome this last hurdle.

You can see why I had to move things around to see this swimmer!

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The Session

We had our 1-1 session last week and focused on a few areas. Breathing – focusing on breathing every two strokes and making sure he exhaled properly. We also changed the stroke slightly, slowing the stroke rate a little and introducing a longer front of the stroke – giving the athlete much more control over his technique and stroke rhythm. We looked at a few more tweaks to the stroke too.

During the session we also spoke about scenarios in the race. About positioning, discipline at the swim start, getting your head up and doing a few slow and steady water polo strokes if things become chaotic, not worrying about other swimmers and what they might do – and some general strategies around the swim.

A really positive swim session.

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The Follow Up

A few days later, I followed up the session with a message, asking the athlete how he felt and whether the session had had any lasting impact on his swim and his confidence.

“Well, yesterday I swam 5 laps of Liverpool Docks, starting off taking it easy with long, slowish strokes breathing every 2 strokes to one side, as you suggested (very conscious of NOT holding my breath at any point, which I usually tend to do).

It was the happiest swim I have had in OW and I felt no anxiety at all.

I’m surprised at the effect of just a few simple adjustments to my swimming technique, which were pointed out by yourself, thank you so much.

Previously, as I told you, I was dreading the swim part of my upcoming Ironman, as I have dreaded my previous triathlons, but after this one swim, I am already feeling more confident and although not totally looking forward to the swim part, I am feeling more comfortable with the prospect and not so anxious about it. 

I’m now looking forward to trying out my new found confidence in Manley Mere this week and hopefully this will enforce this feeling of comfort in the water (and hopefully it will continue).

I know it was only one 1 to 1 session but I feel it has made a hell of a difference to my swimming comfort. Thanks again for your guidance 👍🏻“

Now isn’t that the nicest email ever!

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The 1-1 session was very much tailored to this athlete, his confidence level, the things that were holding him back, finding immediate solutions to the panic, low confidence and his negative / anxious attitude to open water swimming – all with his looming Ironman in mind.

I’m delighted with the result.

I can’t wait to see how he gets on!

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If you would like some support with your swim, perhaps a 1-1 or joining in on our open water swim groups, send us a message and we’ll set something up.