The Session I Didn’t Go To (And Wish I Had)

After our recent freestyle masterclass, one of my swimmers confessed something that made me both smile and shake my head: he hadn’t booked in at all.

His reasoning?

“You’ve already taught me so much – what more could I really get?”

I love that sentiment. It’s flattering, it shows trust, it shows progress and it shows satisfaction with where he is right now. But as he discovered later, after hearing from other swimmers, he had missed a lot. And regretted his decision instantly.

What struck me most is that this isn’t someone who is simply “going through the motions.” He loves thinking about his swimming. He notices the feel of the water, how his stroke flows, where rhythm could improve, and what subtle changes might make a difference. The masterclass was exactly the place for him to explore that curiosity – but he skipped it.

This is why sessions like the freestyle masterclass are so valuable. They’re about more than just learning something completely new. They’re about:

Reinforcing what we already know

It’s easy to think that once you “know” something, it’s fixed. But repetition under guidance helps make good technique automatic. Those small adjustments we think we’ve mastered are worth revisiting – they compound over time.

Gaining fresh perspectives

Even small tweaks can feel transformative. A tiny change in kick rhythm, rotation, or posture can suddenly make swimming feel smoother and more efficient.

Building confidence

Practicing in a coached environment, alongside others, helps reinforce what works. Seeing your stroke function well in real time builds trust – not just in your technique, but in yourself as a swimmer.

Experimenting safely

For swimmers who love thinking and experimenting – like this athlete – the session provides a safe space to try ideas, feel the effects, and adjust. Curiosity is one of the most powerful drivers of improvement, and the masterclass channels it effectively.

Adapting to different contexts

This type of session is slightly different. The energy, the drills, the focus, and even the mix of swimmers vary. Learning to adjust to these subtle differences is a skill in itself – and it carries over to races, training, and solo swims.

After speaking to this swimmer the day after the masterclass, our swimmer had learned his lesson: he won’t miss the next one. Those moments of insight, subtle improvement, and reflection accumulate faster than we often realise.

Takeaways for Every Swimmer

Mastery isn’t a destination – it’s a practice. Show up, pay attention, and bring curiosity. Even when it feels like you’ve already learned it all, there’s always something to refine, experiment with, and build on.

In swimming – as in life – progress comes not from skipping the sessions we “think we know,” but from showing up, engaging, and embracing the small, steady improvements that add up over time.