#446 : How to Stop Goggles from Fogging Up (Permanently) with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Tired of your swimming goggles fogging up in the middle of a swim? In this episode, discover how to prevent foggy goggles, understand why condensation happens, and learn practical tips to keep your vision clear in the water. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swimmer, these simple techniques can help you spend less time adjusting your goggles and more time focusing on your swim. 00:10 Why Swimming Goggles Fog Up 00:40 Understanding Temperature and Condensation 01:10 How to Prevent Goggles from Fogging 02:35 Choosing and Caring for Your Goggles 04:10 Tips for Keeping Your Goggles Clear...
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#445 : Add Speed To Swim A Faster 1500m with Kelly Palace
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Kelly Palace just broke the world record for the 65-69 age group in the 1500m long course freestyle, swimming 20:19 on only about 12,000 meters a week. She also broke the 400m record this summer (5:09). Kelly is a 1984 US Olympic Trials qualifier and the first woman head coach in the Southeastern Conference. In this episode she explains why distance swimmers need real speed, shares her favorite sets (including "descend by equipment"), and describes the underwater technique behind her noisy stroke. She also talks about what she has learned from 350+ podcast guests, and why swimmers should take...
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#444 : How To Rebuild Your Swimming From Zero with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming Podcast
Returning to swimming after years away can leave you feeling exhausted, sore, and disconnected from the water. In this episode, we break down three key things that can help you rebuild your swimming and feel stronger and more comfortable in the water. You’ll learn how body position, breathing, stroke length, and a more relaxed kick can make swimming feel easier and more efficient. We’ll also look at how to structure your training when you're getting back into the pool and why giving yourself three to six months of consistent swimming can make a huge difference. If you're returning to...
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#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...
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