The Effortless Swimming Podcast #376 : How To Be Assertive And Kick A$$ In Open Water with Damien Wildes
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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!
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Tactics Trump Pure Speed
- Open water swimming requires tactical skills beyond physical ability, like course navigation and aggressive positioning.
- Damien Wildes emphasizes controlling your environment, not being subject to circumstances, to race competitively.
Be Ready for Physical Contact
- Prepare to give and take hits in the water; open water swimming is a physical contact sport.
- Engage in race simulations to get comfortable with the jostling and chaos of open water competition.
Balance Propulsion and Glide
- Balance propulsion and glide by focusing on streamlining during your stroke.
- Extend fully before the catch to maximize speed without wasting energy on unnecessary fast arm turnover.