🏊‍♂️ In This Episode
From Perth to the Perhentians:Paul recounts how his connection with Coach Amir began back in 2012 when Amir reached out to join the Swim Smooth community. Fast forward to today, Amir has built an incredible open water movement in Southeast Asia — and invited Paul to be part of it.
A Father–Son Adventure:Joined by his 16-year-old son Jackson, Paul accepted the invitation to swim “competitively” (of course!) while soaking up the vibrant culture and hospitality of Malaysia’s swimming community.
Setbacks Before the Start:Despite coming off peak form earlier in the season, Paul faced three major hurdles: recovering from gastroenteritis in Europe, losing fitness after the Dart 10k cancellation, and bracing for 30ºC tropical water temperatures — every swimmer’s nightmare!
Race Day Reality:The plan was simple: start steady. For 10km, Paul held pace with world-class swimmer José Luis Larrosa Chorro, until heat stress and full-body cramps hit hard. What followed was a battle of resilience, grit, and father–son teamwork — Jackson keeping him cooled with icy feeds as Paul willed himself to the finish line.
Lessons in Resilience:Finishing second overall behind José, Paul reflects on the balance between perseverance and safety, and on showing his son the power of pushing through discomfort without losing perspective.
Community & Camaraderie:More than the race, it was the people who made the event unforgettable — from the swimmers at @myswimcoaching to the humble leadership of Amir Ishak. From one coach with a dream to a thriving open water community, the Pehrentian Islands Swim is now firmly on Paul’s bucket list.
🧡 Highlights
13 years of friendship and coaching connection come full circle
Racing in 30°C tropical waters — a test of endurance and heat management
The value of community, hospitality, and father–son moments
Reflections on humility, gratitude, and perseverance
Massive thanks to:Amir Ishak and the SwimOn team, the Malaysian Tourism Board, and everyone who made this trip one to remember.
Follow the event:[SwimOn Malaysia – Perhentian Islands Marathon Swim 2026]
Your Coach,Paul Newsome
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