The Effortless Swimming Podcast
#376 : How To Be Assertive And Kick A$$ In Open Water with Damien Wildes
May 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Damien Wildes, coach from Flow State Swimming in Ireland, sheds light on the chaotic beauty of open water swimming. He emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and assertiveness, transforming swimmers from passive paddlers to confident competitors. Damien shares innovative coaching strategies, including the tactical aspects of drafting and the significance of feeling over pace. He also introduces the intense 'hell set' training technique that helps swimmers push their limits while maintaining form, perfect for any aspiring triathlete!
43:16
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Quick takeaways
- Embracing discomfort and implementing race simulations in training are essential for developing resilience and confidence in open water swimming.
- Mastering tactical skills like aggressive positioning and balancing propulsion with glide can significantly enhance efficiency and performance in competitive swimming.
Deep dives
The Importance of Embracing Suffering in Swimming
The ability to embrace suffering is crucial for becoming a strong swimmer. Athletes who can swim hard often do so because they have learned to be comfortable with discomfort in the water. A methodology is introduced, suggesting that swimmers should experience the intensity of racing conditions during training in order to build mental and physical resilience. This understanding of suffering helps swimmers realize their true potential and encourages them to push through barriers they previously believed were insurmountable.
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