#443 : If You Want Your Swimming To 'Click', Do This with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
#443 : If You Want Your Swimming To 'Click', Do This with Brenton Ford
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#442 : Why Your Shoulder Hurts After Swimming with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Shoulder pain after swimming? Your technique could be the reason. In this episode, we look at three common freestyle mistakes that can place unnecessary stress on the shoulder: an overly high elbow, crossing over the centre line, and overdoing the catch. Through clear demonstrations and underwater footage, you'll learn how to make your stroke more natural, efficient, and shoulder-friendly. A great episode for swimmers looking to improve their freestyle technique while reducing unnecessary strain. 00:00 – Why Your Shoulder Hurts After Swimming 00:20 – The main freestyle technique...
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#441 : Deep Dive Into Freestyle Technique Mechanics with Jan Prins
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
In this episode, Brenton Ford interviews Jan Prins about freestyle biomechanics, stroke mechanics, and the latest technology used to analyze swimming efficiency. They explore how subtle changes in technique can significantly impact speed and performance. 00:10 Introduction to Jan Prins and his expertise in swimming biomechanics 01:31 Overview of the technology used for stroke analysis 04:40 Analyzing hip velocity and stroke subtlety 07:18 Why strength doesn't always equal speed in swimming 09:15 The importance of sustained velocity over peak power 12:26 Gradual acceleration and maintaining...
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#440 : Can Red Light Therapy Help Your Swimming? with Taryn Richardson
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
In this episode, sports dietitian and researcher Taryn Richardson dives into the science behind red light therapy, exploring its potential for recovery, performance, and overall health. She shares practical advice on device selection, optimal usage, and the science-supported benefits for athletes seeking faster recovery and better performance. 00:39 What is red light therapy and its scientific basis 01:25 Historical research and terminology: photobiomodulation 02:22 Claims and benefits of red light therapy 03:19 Applications in physiotherapy, veterinary, and sports 05:17 How red light...
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#439 : Why You're (Likely) Under-Fuelling And Under-Performing with Eliza Kelly
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Discover the nutrition secrets that could make or break your next long swim—are you fueling properly? Swimmers and endurance athletes often overlook crucial aspects of fueling, leading to fatigue, poor recovery, and even injury. In this eye-opening episode, registered sports dietitian Eliza Kelly shares behind-the-scenes insights from a 55-kilometer open water swim, revealing how altitude, heat, and unexpected challenges demand real-time nutritional adjustments. Her experience coaching elite swimmers and triathletes will change how you approach long training sessions and races, ensuring you...
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#438 : How To Swim Freestyle With (Almost) Zero Effort with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Want to swim freestyle with less effort while moving faster through the water? In this episode, Brenton shares the three key principles that make freestyle feel smooth and effortless: improving your balance and body position, using rotation to maximize efficiency, and timing your stroke and kick so your whole body works together. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swimmer looking to conserve energy, these simple technique adjustments can help you swim farther, faster, and with much less effort. 00:35 The #1 Secret: Let the Water Hold You Up 01:12 Head Position for Better...
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#437 : Understanding Arm Recovery and Connection In Freestyle with Tracey Baumann
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Tracey Baumann is back! Learn how better arm recovery can improve your balance, protect your shoulders, and help you swim with less effort. She breaks down the most common mistakes that lead to shoulder pain, dropped hips, and extra drag, then shares simple drills to help you swim smoother and more efficiently. We'll also share details about the Melbourne swim clinic we're running together on October 25. Tune in now! 00:33 Meet Tracey Baumann 01:47 Why Recovery Matters 05:24 Common Recovery Mistakes 08:54 One Unit Recovery Cue 11:23 Elite Examples: Sam Short13:26 Fixing High Elbow Myths19:11...
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#436 : How to Master Open Water Pacing, Swim Anxiety, and Stroke Mechanics with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
In this episode, I join the TriVelo Podcast to share my approach to swimming faster and more efficiently in open water. We discuss where to focus first when improving your stroke, the differences between galloping and balanced swim styles, why I believe many triathletes kick harder than they need to, and practical ways to stay calm and confident when racing in open water. We also dive into my thoughts on the Enhanced Games and the journey behind developing NanoClear anti-fog goggles to solve one of the biggest frustrations swimmers face. A big thanks to Gerard Donnelly and Jordan Donnelly from...
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#435 : Lessons From 250 English Channel Crossings with Tim Denyer
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Most marathon swimmers would overlook the critical role of mental resilience—until they’re fighting waves, exhaustion, and doubt in real time. Tim Denya, an elite coach with over 250 English Channel crossings, reveals the unspoken truth: mental strength is just as vital as physical endurance in conquering ocean swims. In this episode, Tim unpacks the training secrets behind his staggering success rate, emphasizing how strategic mental preparation and clear communication turn tentative swimmers into ocean conquerors. Discover why long-distance swim training isn’t just about logging...
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#434 : 7 Rules From 10 Years Coaching Pro Triathletes with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
What separates the fastest triathletes from everyone else in the water? In this episode, I share the seven biggest swimming lessons I've learned from coaching professional triathletes over the past decade. We dive into body rotation, kicking, using your lats effectively, increasing stroke rate, breathing strategies, and the open water skills that can help you outperform faster pool swimmers. Whether you're training for your first triathlon or chasing a new personal best, these practical coaching insights will help you swim faster while saving energy for the bike and run. 00:25 Rule #1...
info_outlineI recently joined the That Triathlon Show Podcast with Mikael Eriksson for a deep dive into freestyle technique and what I call the “swim technique hierarchy of needs.”
In this conversation, we break down the key elements of efficient swimming including breathing, body position, rotation, catch mechanics, timing, and how to adapt your stroke for open-water racing. We also discuss some of the most common mistakes triathletes make in the water, how to fix them, and why many swimmers plateau even when their technique looks good on video.
We also get into topics like kick timing, front-quadrant swimming, stroke rate, drills that actually transfer to faster swimming, open-water skills, and what it really takes to become a strong swimmer as an adult-onset triathlete.
If you’re looking to swim faster, feel more efficient in the water, or better understand how to prioritize your technique work, this episode is packed with practical coaching insights you can apply right away.
03:37 A hierarchy of needs for freestyle technique
07:50 Building the frame of the body
12:20 Kick tempo and stroke rate
17:05 Training the Kick for racing options
18:40 Rotation
23:30 The catch and pull
29:32 YMCA Drill
35:10 Timing and creative freedom in racing
38:20 Speed versus stroke appearance
41:15 The importance of purposeful drills
46:05 Capturing your technique on camera
48:00 The nature of swim talent
52:46 Swim frequency and distance
57:00 Structuring swim workouts
59:01 Intensity distribution across swim sessions
01:03:30 Open water versus pool technique
01:07:20 The importance of drafting
01:08:36 Drafting and preparation for open water
01:15:50 - Racing bravely in the swim
01:18:42 -The Goggles
01:23:50 - Choosing the right lens for conditions