Get Fast Podcast - Triathlon, Ironman & Cycling Coaching Advice

How Triathletes Can Swim Minutes Faster with Brenton Ford (Effortless Swimming)

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May 22, 2025

Brenton Ford, swim coach and founder of Effortless Swimming, helps triathletes and adult swimmers break plateaus with technique-first fixes. He explains why swimmers get stuck, how long habit change takes, and when to prioritise drills over volume. Short, practical talks cover testing pool vs open-water pace, wetsuit effects, and how to train smarter to get faster.

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INSIGHT

Work On The Real Bottleneck

Many swimmers are stuck because they work on the wrong thing instead of the real bottleneck.
Fixing earlier priorities (breathing, rotation) unlocks improvements in catch and speed.

ADVICE

Practice One Exaggerated Cue

Do short daily drills (5–10 minutes) and exaggerate the change until it feels natural.
Focus on one cue at a time and avoid chasing multiple fixes in a session.

ADVICE

Give Technique 8–12 Weeks

Expect two to three months for a new technique to become natural.
Keep practicing the cue across sessions even if race results show only gradual gains.

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A podcast to help you Train Smarter and Race Faster. Hosted by expert Triathlon coach, Australian Ironman Champion and 15 x Aus Age group Champion Gerard Donnelly, and his son, multiple Triathlon + Cycling Aus Age Group Champion Jordy Donnelly.

Unlock your swim speed! 🔓

This podcast episode with Brenton Ford (Effortless Swimming) is packed with insights on breaking through swimming plateaus and training smarter for triathletes and cyclists.

Essential listening for anyone looking to improve their swim technique and improve their swimming pace

Timestamp:
00:00 - Introduction
01:15 - Why Swimmers Get Stuck
03:30 - Are Athletes Doing It Wrong After Coaching?
06:50 - How Long Does It Take To Change Swim Habits?
10:05 - Is A Lack Of Fitness Holding Your Technique Back?
13:30 - Overcoming the 2nd Plateau
19:45 - The Ultimate Swim Technique Overhaul Plan
23:50 - Ideal Time Ratio For Swim Technique Vs. Fitness
28:00 - Why Elite Swimmers Avoid Long, Slow Training
32:50 - Why Adult-Onset Swimmers Struggle To Improve
36:40 - Overcoming The Mental Barrier Of Going Slower To Get Faster
39:00 - The Best Tests For Swim Fitness And Speed
43:30 - Pool Vs. Open Water: Understanding The Differences
46:40 - Swimming Myths Debunked
51:31 - When To Push Through Bad Form (And When To Stop)
55:30 - Swimming Is A Technique Thing

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Disclaimer: The Content in this podcast is in no way intended to be medical advice, treatment or diagnoses. None of our Content is intended to imply that any products mentioned, remedies or information provided are intended to prevent, diagnose, cure or alleviate a disease, ailment, defect or injury or should be used for therapeutic purposes. The Content is intended to assist you with running, cycling, swimming or triathlon and should not be substituted for medical advice by your healthcare professional. We do not accept any liability for any injury, loss, or damage incurred by the use or reliance on our Content.

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