How to take my swimming to the next level 🤔❤️🏊‍♀️🧜‍♀️

Hi Suzi

Most swimmers spend years swimming lap after lap, hoping more distance means more progress. But here’s the truth: swimming smarter—not just harder—is what really takes you forward.

Here are 5 simple tips you can start using today:

1. Don’t panic when progress dips

Think of improvement like walking up a mountain with a yo-yo. Sometimes you’ll feel slower before you get faster. Stick with it—those dips are often part of the climb.

2. Film yourself early

The quickest way to improve is to actually see what you’re doing in the water. Even one short video can reveal things you’d never notice from inside your own stroke. Have a friend film you with your phone above the water if you don't have an underewater camera. The picture tells a 1000 words. We do filming and analysis at our freestyle clinics in Australia, and if you want help analysing your video we do this as part of our coaching membership.

3. Train your mind as much as your body

Nerves, self-doubt, or panic in open water can hold you back more than fitness. Practice calm breathing and learn to relax in the water. One frame that's helped me is thinking, 'If I were to do [insert challenge] 1,000 times, is it possible that I'd get very good at it?'. Usually the answer is a resounding 'yes'.

4. Focus on quality over quantity

Consistency matters—but not if you’re reinforcing bad habits. Aim to swim at 80–90% of your best technique most of the time, even in tough sets. Engrain good habits but don't be afraid to push yourself to the point of your stroke breaking down.

5. Set a small goal (and then the next one)

Whether it’s 50m without stopping, or a 1km time trial under 15 minutes, having something to aim for keeps you motivated. Bigger goals—like a race or open water challenge—pull you forward even faster. The times I've trained the hardest were when I had a scary or extremely big challenge ahead of me.

See you in the water,

Brenton

Effortless Swimming