
Swim Smooth
Welcome to "Dive into Excellence with Swim Smooth," the ultimate podcast for swimmers of all levels who are eager to enhance their swimming performance and technique. Whether you're a beginner dipping your toes into the world of swimming or an experienced athlete striving for mastery, this podcast is your compass to navigate the vast sea of swimming knowledge. I'm your host Paul Newsome, and together, we'll embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of efficient and graceful swimming. blog.swimsmooth.com
Latest episodes

6 snips
May 1, 2025 • 6min
🔷 How to Crack the Top 5%—Even If You Didn’t Swim as a Kid!
Feeling stuck in your swimming journey? Discover four key strategies to break into the top 5% of your age group without a childhood swimming background. Learn how to enhance your water feel, boost mobility, and build aerobic strength. Get inspired by a US swimmer rekindling his form and ‘Mega Megan’ climbing the ranks. Expert coaching feedback is emphasized as a crucial tool for mastering your technique. Dive in and unlock your true potential!

7 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 9min
🔹The More You Swim, The More You Need To Swim...
Discover how a family's energetic Border Collie sparked insights about swimming habits. Regular swim sessions can enhance performance and stamina, but there’s no universal answer to how many are needed. Learn about a unique fitness model that balances training with fatigue and form for sustainable gains. Get tips on two quick swims that fit any routine, designed to push you forward without overwhelming your schedule. If you're feeling stuck in your swim journey, this chat offers refreshing perspectives!

6 snips
Mar 7, 2025 • 10min
🔷 Swim Types: Nearly 20 Years On!
Delve into a revolutionary coaching methodology that's been shaping swimmers for nearly 20 years. Discover the five distinct swim types and how personalized coaching strategies can elevate your performance. Learn about innovative techniques designed for unique styles like 'swingers' and 'smoothees.' Hear inspiring transformation stories from real swimmers, while exploring the cutting-edge technology advancing training in 2025. Plus, find out how to become a qualified coach in just a few clicks!

10 snips
Mar 1, 2025 • 19min
🔷 The 8 Stroke Adjustments That Got Me to Rotto!
The recent Rottnest Channel Swim was an intense test of skill and strategy against fierce winds and currents. Swimmers experimented with eight unique stroke adjustments to maximize efficiency. A high-octane start helped maintain momentum, while transitioning to a smoother bilateral stroke adapted to the swell. The importance of teamwork shone through personal stories, emphasizing how support navigated the challenges posed by the environment. Each adjustment played a crucial role in crossing the channel successfully.

4 snips
Jan 31, 2025 • 7min
🔷 Shore-2-Shore: A Free Swim, A Big Challenge, and the Best Kind of Training
Dive into the excitement of a unique three-day community swim that fosters camaraderie and challenges participants. Discover the joy of open water swimming without the pressure of competition, and learn why real-world conditions are superior training for marathon events. Explore the buddy system inspired by SwimRun, and find out how influential events like the Best Fest in Mallorca shaped this inclusive experience. With 233 swimmers joining from the Perth community, everyone can participate in the upcoming stages, making it a true celebration of swimming.

Dec 6, 2024 • 9min
"Don't EVER Let Me Swim That Distance Again!"
In this episode, we celebrate the incredible achievement of Yolanda Carstens, Swim Smooth’s web guru extraordinaire, who just completed The Elephant—a grueling 24km open water swim in South Africa’s Langebaan Lagoon. Yolanda shares her experience tackling unpredictable winds, cold water, and the infamous seal colonies, all while setting the third fastest time ever by a woman for this prestigious challenge!We also dive into how Yolanda prepared for the swim, from tracking her fitness to hitting an impressive 73 Fitness Points in the Swim Smooth GURU. Her journey highlights the power of our patented Stroke Insights technology and a well-structured training plan.Plus, hear about the exciting new GURU update coming your way, now supporting over 90 Garmin devices, and how it can transform your swimming with real-time technique feedback and personalized plans.Whether you’re an open water enthusiast, a tech geek, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in to celebrate Yolanda’s success and get a sneak peek at what’s next from Swim Smooth!🎧 Listen now and prepare to be inspired! 🏊♀️✨ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.swimsmooth.com/subscribe

5 snips
Nov 29, 2024 • 8min
Quantity vs. Quality - Which is the Right Training Approach?
Discover the intriguing debate between quality and quantity in swim training. Learn why focusing on quality, especially understanding your Critical Swim Speed, is crucial for effective performance. Hear real-life examples of strategic training leading to impressive results, even with limited volume. Explore the innovative fatigue stacking method that mimics higher training loads. Finally, find out how early-season techniques can set swimmers up for success and motivation without burnout as race day approaches.

7 snips
Nov 1, 2024 • 12min
🧠 Why Thinking of Yourself as an "Adult-Onset Swimmer" Is a Massively Limiting Mindset
Many adult swimmers limit themselves by labeling their journey as 'adult-onset.' This mindset often leads to self-doubt and hindered progress. One swimmer, Rachel, discovered that shifting her focus from this label to mastering specific techniques sparked significant improvement. Even seasoned athletes sometimes fall into this trap, joking about their late starts instead of addressing their skills. By concentrating on practical aspects like stroke mechanics and body position, swimmers can unlock their potential and swim with more ease.

11 snips
Oct 4, 2024 • 9min
The Value of Video Analysis
Discover the transformative power of video analysis in swimming! Learn how personalized sessions can pinpoint and correct technique issues, leading to significant performance enhancements. From beginners to seasoned triathletes, hear success stories of improvement and efficiency. Delve into common stroke problems swimmers face and explore tailored strategies to unlock your potential. Plus, get insights about an upcoming program designed to help you ramp up your swimming distance while avoiding injury!

Sep 13, 2024 • 6min
🐊 Would You Risk Swimming With Crocodiles?!
Dive into the wild waters of Australia as swimmer Simone Blaser prepares for a daring 50km challenge in crocodile-infested rivers. With a heart for adventure and a mission to raise funds for refugees, she’s ready to make history. Discover the beauty of the untouched landscape that inspires her, and learn about the vital role of nutrition in endurance swimming. As she bravely faces the creatures lurking beneath the surface, this journey promises thrills and a testament to pushing limits.