🔷 Chasing the Feeling: Two Unforgettable Weeks in Majorca 🇪🇸
Including Sara’s Story: How to Overcome a Fear of Deep Water
🎁 Don’t miss our special 200 Euro discount off our next Swim Smooth Experience in Montenegro 21-27 September using the code SWIMBETTER at this link before 5:00pm CET 14 June 2025.
Hey Swimmers,
Years ago, a bloke once asked me why I was coaching on a Saturday afternoon when I could’ve been up north, driving a truck on a mine site for $100k a year.
Then he paused.
Took one look at the pool, my so-called “office”.
The sunshine. The laughter. The feeling in the air.
And said, “Right. Got it.”
That same feeling — that joy of doing something meaningful, something physical, something real — is what we brought with us to Mallorca for two back-to-back weeks of swim racing and Swim Smooth coaching.
And what a fortnight it was!
Week 1: Best Fest 2025 🌊
For my 10th year at this event, Colònia Sant Jordi once again delivered the goods.
✔️ 6 races in 7 days
✔️ 25.8km total distance
✔️ Countless moments of learning, laughter, and tough-but-worth-it swims
Some days felt smooth. Some felt like a grind. But every swim was a chance to sharpen the pacing dial, test the mind, and recalibrate for what’s next.
We talked a lot about “emotional threshold” — that inner marker that tells you if you’re pacing well. If you’re 400m in and already questioning your life choices? You’ve probably gone out a bit hot 🐰💨
But if you’re present, calm, and even smiling?
That’s racing done right.
To top it off, I managed to win the non-elite series and lay down some new personal bests at the ripe old age of 46, proving that you should never let age define you!
Week 2: The Swim Smooth Experience 🏖️
Our 6-day Experience was nothing short of magical.
From sunrise sea dips to afternoon pool sessions at the world-class Best Centre, the schedule was stacked with intention:
Day 1: Video Analysis & Personal Focus
We kicked off the week by filming every swimmer from above and below the water at the beautiful Best Centre 50m pool. This wasn’t just for curiosity — it gave us the insight we needed to identify each swimmer’s stroke priorities for the rest of the week. Later that day, we reviewed the footage together on the big screen, giving everyone a clear, personalised plan of what to work on. No guesswork — just clarity and focus from day one.
Day 2: CSS Benchmarking & Technique Refinement
With stroke goals in place, we moved into our first structured training session, combining technical corrections with a benchmark CSS test. This Critical Swim Speed test gave us pacing data unique to each swimmer — from 1:36 to around 2:30 per 100m. We used this to guide efforts for the rest of the week, balancing efficiency with fitness in a way that worked for everyone.
Day 3: Cabrera Island Adventure + Speed Set
This was our big adventure day. We set off by boat to the beautiful and wild Cabrera Island — a natural marine reserve — for a spectacular coastal swim followed by a visit to the famous Blue Cave. It was a proper Swim Smooth-style adventure. And if that wasn’t enough, we followed it up with an evening pool session to switch gears into speed work, getting the legs firing again after a long, relaxed swim earlier in the day.
Day 4: Threshold Focus + Secret Beach Swim
In the morning, we dialled into threshold work back at the pool — testing and developing that red-mist pacing in a supportive environment. Then, in the afternoon, we headed out to Cala S’Almunia — our secret beach hideaway — for a coastal pod swim in some of the most crystal-clear waters you’ve ever seen. It was an unforgettable blend of intensity and calm exploration.
Day 5: Endurance Set + 1-to-1 Training Plan Reviews + Catamaran BBQ
Friday saw us lay down a solid endurance session in the morning, followed by one-on-one reviews with each swimmer. These personal debriefs included a tailored post-camp training plan to keep the momentum going back home.
And then, to cap off a brilliant day — we boarded a luxury catamaran for a sunset cruise, BBQ onboard, and one last swim off the boat. It was a proper celebration of the week’s achievements, and yes, that included the Village People’s “YMCA”!
Day 6: The “Saturday Stoic” + Coastal Finale Swim
Our final day mirrored our famous Saturday Stoic sessions from Perth — a mix of drills, pacing, and fun that brought everything together. With the whole squad in sync, it was a joy to coach and watch. In the afternoon, those with energy left in the tank joined us for one final open water coastal swim — a relaxed group traverse with tow floats and smiles all round. A beautiful, calm note to finish an action-packed week.
Sara’s Story: How to Overcome a Fear of Deep Water
If you followed our 8-week Sw-improvement series last year, you’ll remember Sara.
She came to Mallorca with solid pool fitness and strong determination — but one very real barrier: deep water.
Not waves. Not distance. Just deep, clear water — the kind where you can see the bottom far, far below. (A fear I’ll admit I share too.)
So how did she overcome it?
1. She built up slowly.
Each morning began with a sunrise sea dip at Es Trenc — shallow, calm, and reassuring. No pressure. Just small wins.
2. She controlled her breath.
Using the mantra “bubble, bubble, breathe”, she trained her nervous system to stay calm — building rhythm, not panic.
3. She named the fear.
It wasn’t “open water” in general. It was deep, see-through water. That clarity helped us coach with precision, not platitudes.
4. She leaned into support.
From our coaching team to the 11 other swimmers — whose CSS paces ranged from 1:36/100m to 2:30/100m — everyone rallied around her. As a group, we celebrated her courage more than any fast split.
5. She didn’t give up.
There were nerves. Wobbles. But Sara kept showing up. Kept breathing. Kept swimming.
And by the final day, she swam around the rocky headland with a smile that said more than words ever could. From Sara:
“Initially I was quite anxious/nervous/excited about the Swim Smooth Mallorca experience - basically every emotion possible - I get anxious swimming in different or new locations.
However aside from the nerves I have found a strong pull to the water both fascinated & fearful guess it's a healthy respect for the water, and over the past 5 years since starting out in the OW can only say have got stronger & stronger and certainly smashing challenges/barriers.
The sea around CSJ is absolutely beautiful and the clearest waters I had swum in (normally swim in the UK North sea) which I did find somewhat unsettling at the start of the week at being able to see so much, however as the week went on soon became more used to this & started to relax and enjoy the swims even left the wetsuit in the hotel room and swam quite confidently in skins (trisuit/swimsuit).
There were some challenging aspects. I wasn't keen on deep water and the Blue Cave which was both terrifying and amazing being the deepest water I've encountered took a lot of courage getting in the water but I did & swam a few strokes (front crawl) back to boat small wins. Pleased with that swim although shortest distance biggest achievement. The swims that followed seemed to flow a bit more freely.
In conclusion 100% feeling better about deep water & swimming endurance a few things to work on technique and pacing - love a sprint but at the right time.
It felt amazing to swim in the BEST centre pool and meet Paul and the other coaches all who were brilliant and a great group of swimmers from all around the world. Til next time, happy swimming!”
Sara
Why It Works 💡
This isn’t just a swim holiday.
It’s structured, progressive coaching built on Swim Smooth’s 20+ years of experience with real adult swimmers.
Every swimmer receives:
Individualised video feedback
Technique correction based on Swim Type
CSS development
Open water skills coaching
A take-home plan within the GURU to continue progress
It’s about creating a space where you can be challenged and supported.
Where pace matters less than presence.
Where fear doesn’t get to win.
What’s Next? Montenegro Awaits 🇲🇪
If you’ve been thinking about joining us—maybe this is your year.
Our next Swim Smooth Experience takes place in the breathtaking Bay of Kotor, Montenegro:
📅 21–27 September 2025
We’ll be back with the same world-class coaching, iconic swims, small-group camaraderie, and the kind of memories you carry for a lifetime.
📍 Reserve your place now here
🧢 Limited spots available
🎁 Use code SWIMBETTER for 200 Euros off (new bookings only)
Come for the swimming.
Stay for the cocktails with “Guru Jon”!
Your Coach, Paul.
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