What if the secret to crushing your next open water swim isn’t just logging more miles, but learning to embrace the chaos, drafting like a pro, taking the occasional hit, and then surging ahead with confidence. Today on the Effortless Swimming Podcast, I’m joined by Damien from Flow State Swimming it’s premier open water coaching squad.
Damien didn’t learn to swim in a pool. He learned to survive and thrive in choppy conditions. Mastering tactics from course recon to aggressive positioning so that you never have to feel like a victim out there. In this episode, we’ll dive into the mental shift from passive paddler to assertive racer.
While your catch and glide sweet spot might unlock explosive speed, exactly how to build the suffer tolerance that makes hard efforts feel effortless. Hands-on coaching hacks for feeling the water and finding flow. And whether you are gearing up for your first triathlon or hunting a personal best in an open water race, stick around.
By the time we’re done, you’ll know how to swim hard, swim smart, and swim free. Know what’s required. Let’s jump in.
-
-
Record Falls as Ledecky and McIntosh Battle in 400M Freestyle | 2025 TYR Pro Series Ft. Lauderdale
Katie Ledecky wins Women’s 400M Freestyle at the 2025 TYR Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale. Summer McIntosh and Claire Weinstein take second and third.
-
Summer McIntosh Challenged to a Race by Professional Diver… It Went How You Would Expect | CBC Sports
Professional high diver Molly Carlson playfully requested a race with Olympic champion Summer McIntosh and the important thing was everyone had fun.
Molly also goes into how much of an icon Summer is without even knowing it.
-
Natalie Coughlin | Unfiltered Waters
In this episode, Katie and Elizabeth Beisel sit down with 12x Olympic medalist, 3x Olympic gold medalist, and American swimming icon Natalie Coughlin! They dive into the mindset that helped her become one of the most versatile swimmers in history, how pivoting beyond the pool challenged her in new ways, and the surreal moment when her wine earned international attention. Natalie opens up about building a second career from scratch, the leadership lessons she’s learned from USA Swimming governance, and the real emotions behind defending an Olympic title. She also shares powerful reflections on reinvention, resilience, and what it takes to keep pushing for greatness after the medals are won.
-
Teens Rescue Pair From Surf in South Australia | 9 News Australia
Four teens who had gone for a surf rushed to the rescue of a boy and his grandmother in South Australia.
-
Hybrid Lifestyle Training as an Athlete & Designer | Calvyn Justus
In this video, Part of my return to swimming involves working with @seanhkao at Aquatic Sports Performance in California, USA. We look at the behind the scenes of product inspiration, development and design. My approach to swimming has changed, we discuss those changes and show them in action.
-
Brisbane Homeowner’s Frustration Over Repeat Pool Intruder | 7NEWS
A New Farm homeowner has shared her frustration about a serial trespasser.
The man is in hot water for swimming in a stranger’s pool.
-
Beyond the Lane Ropes Documentary | Mount Kelly Swimming
From British Championship podiums to the training grounds of Mount Kelly, discover what it really takes to build greatness.
-
How to Glide Effortlessly in Freestyle Swimming: The Glide Technique Explained | Markus Marthaler
