Swim Smooth Episode 15 - David Davies, Britain's only duel Olympic medallist in the pool and open water
May 7, 2019
David Davies, a distinguished British swimmer from Wales, is the only athlete to win Olympic medals in both pool and open water events. He shares heartfelt reflections on his Olympic journey, touching on the emotional highs and lows of competition. Davies candidly discusses the temptation to alter his stroke style before his third Olympics and offers insights on transitioning from pool to open water swimming. His experiences highlight the importance of mentorship and rediscovering the joy in swimming, making this conversation both inspiring and relatable.
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Built-In Stroke That Worked
- David Davies described his unusual high-cadence, short-stroke “spider” technique that his coach advised him not to change.
- He says that technique matched his body and allowed him to compete with longer, smoother swimmers like Grant Hackett.
Peak Performance Comes From Form And Confidence
- At Athens 2004 David felt “in the zone” and swam his lifetime best from perfect preparation and confidence.
- He attributes the performance to form, fresh taper and race-day mental state more than a single technical tweak.
Use Race-Paced Sets And Data
- Train specific race-pace sets that mimic the running pace you need, like repeated 3100m best-average style sessions.
- Use a sport scientist to validate training and build race confidence through measurable progress.