⌚︎ Which is the Best Swimming Watch this Black Friday?

Tips for which watch to snag (and why) in the upcoming Black Friday sales

Hey Swimmers,

With Black Friday just around the corner, one of the most common questions I get is:

“Which is the best swimming watch to track my swims?”

…and then there are the colourful coaching characters on Instagram dramatically stomping on watches or demanding swimmers take them off with cries of:

“You don’t need a swimming watch to swim better — it’s just a distraction! Off it comes, or prepare for public ridicule in front of your lane mates!”

It’s all very theatrical — and probably great for views — but let’s be honest, most of these same coaches wouldn’t dream of riding or running without their power meter and heart rate monitor. Ah, the irony!

Here at Swim Smooth, we take a slightly more balanced view.

Over the years I’ve tested hundreds of watches and gadgets, and our team has even harnessed the technology built into the two major players — Apple and Garmin — to deliver our unique Stroke Insights℗ within the Swim Smooth GURU, plus a load of other cool features. This allows you to receive accurate coaching feedback and tailored training advice, even when we’re working with you remotely.

So why wouldn’t you use that to help you improve?

Over time, I’ve realised that choosing the right watch isn’t just about specs, sensors, or screen size — it’s about how well that technology supports your journey to becoming a better swimmer. That’s been the core of Swim Smooth since day one: using innovation to make world-class coaching, knowledge, and application available to everyone, wherever they swim. Here’s how:

• Coaching Network: Connecting swimmers with passionate, highly trained Swim Smooth Coaches worldwide↗ remains at the heart of what we do. Technology is powerful, but nothing replaces the insight and motivation of a great coach, and we’re proud to say we have some of the best out there and will always do our best to hook you up with the best coach in your local area!

• Knowledge & Resources: From our first DVD Boxset to today’s GURU library, our mission has always been to make world-class swim education accessible and trusted — it’s why World Triathlon and British Triathlon↗ rely on us for coach education. Some would say that if it’s not included in The Library↗ it’s not worth knowing…but maybe that’s just them ☺️

• Application: Knowledge is only as valuable as how it’s applied. That’s why the Swim Smooth GURU embodies our complete coaching philosophy↗, blending data, insight, and the human touch to replicate what it’s like to train with a Swim Smooth Coach or Squad, wherever you are.

So in this week’s blog, we’ll share our honest take on which watch offers the best swimming experience — plus what we’ve learned about the challenges and opportunities of integrating technology into swimming and dealing with these tech giants. It hasn’t been easy. Most importantly, we’ll show how you can use the watch you already own (or plan to buy) to fast-track your improvement with confidence.

---

Garmin: What Works Brilliantly (and What Doesn’t… Yet)

Twelve months ago, we proudly announced the release of Swim Smooth’s patented Stroke Insights℗ on more than 100 Garmin devices — four years after first bringing this exciting technology to Apple users. If you missed that announcement, you can explore how to:

By pairing your Garmin with the GURU app, you can now track your stroke technique in detail and receive accurate, actionable feedback on how to swim more efficiently. Over the past year, we’ve rolled out eight major updates to improve performance and stability. But as with all tech collaborations, there are still a few areas limited by Garmin’s system architecture — no matter how many times we’ve begged and pleaded on your behalf!

---

What We Can Do

✅ Deliver unique-to-Swim Smooth Stroke Insights℗ directly on your existing Garmin — no need for two devices. Just hit the lap button, switch wrists, and we’ll take care of the rest.
✅ Provide unique-to-Swim Smooth interval pacing and session execution scores to measure consistency and performance.
✅ Replicate lap-by-lap data (speed, stroke rate, heart rate) for both pool and open-water sessions — all in the same app.
✅ Display rest time and send-off countdowns just like the native Garmin swim app.
✅ Offer multiple auto-lap options in open water, giving you flexibility during longer swims.

---

What We Can’t Do (Yet)

🚫 Auto-rest detection — intervals still need to be manually lapped with the bottom-right button. (Most users prefer this anyway for greater accuracy.)
🚫 Drill mode input — Garmin doesn’t currently allow us to build a ‘pause and enter distance’ drill mode, which we actually think is clunky mid-session anyway!
🚫 Custom display configuration — screen layouts are currently fixed, though an upcoming update will rotate key metrics (interval distance and pace) every four seconds for better visibility.
🚫 Send session to your watch — while not yet possible, early integrations between EndureIQ and TrainingPeaks show it’s possible. We’re actively working on a smooth, native solution without third-party detours. For now, our best experience here (albeit seemingly archaic) is still with our detailed PDF printouts.

---

How to Get the Best of Both Worlds

We understand these limitations can be frustrating — they are for us too. I’ve personally pushed Garmin to add the few extra data fields that would make Stroke Insights℗ run on their native app, but for now, here’s our practical advice:

• 🏊‍♂️ Use the Swim Smooth GURU App for your key training sessions (CSS or Red Mist Endurance). These sessions involve fewer drills and provide the most accurate insight into your stroke.

• 🧠 Use the Garmin Swim App for drill-heavy sessions where features like auto-rest and their drill mode might appeal more to your sensibilities.

Either way, we’ll process all your data once your Garmin account is synced to the Swim Smooth GURU↗. That means whether you swim using our app or Garmin’s, you’ll still receive detailed analysis and personalised training recommendations.

Even older models such as the Garmin Swim 2 sync perfectly — they just don’t have the hardware to run Stroke Insights℗ (not an omission on our part despite the name of this popular device). If your model’s listed as compatible with Stroke Insights℗↗, you’re good to go; if not, you’ll still benefit from the full suite of GURU analysis tools.

---

⭐️ So, which Garmin do I choose?

Unlike the simplicity of the Apple Watch ecosystem, Garmin has like a bazillion devices to choose from, so here’s our list of our Top-10 favourite Garmin devices for full Swim Smooth GURU compatibility↗

---

Apple vs Garmin: The Honest Comparison

I’ll admit it — I’m an Apple fanboy through and through, and despite the so-called Apple “walled garden”, Apple were the first to allow us access to their gyroscopes and accelerometers in 2019 which allowed us to develop Stroke Insights℗ initially. If you have an Apple Watch you can:

That said, these days my go-to device for tracking swims within the Swim Smooth GURU is my Garmin Forerunner 965. The simple truth? Garmin’s battery life is in a league of its own.

Still, the Apple Watch holds its own in several key areas and remains a great choice if that’s what you already own:

• Comfort & Design: I love the smaller, sleeker form factor of the Apple Watch — it feels less bulky on the wrist compared to most Garmin models.

• Everyday Use: The Apple Watch integrates beautifully with your daily life and other devices, making it a versatile all-rounder beyond the pool.

• Auto-Rest Function: Our GURU app on Apple includes an auto-rest feature (though there’s no manual lap option). It delivers a true “start and forget” experience — ideal for those who want simplicity. Keep in mind, though, that rest breaks shorter than 8–10 seconds might not be recognised, so sets like 20×50m on a tight RM cycle may appear as one continuous swim.

• Higher Data Fidelity: Apple records at 50Hz, compared to Garmin’s lower sampling rate. In theory, this gives slightly finer data resolution for stroke metrics and timing.

---

The Syncing Challenge (and How to Fix It)

One area that can feel a little clunky is transferring sessions from your Apple Watch to the GURU after a swim. Because Apple captures so much high-frequency data, uploads can occasionally lag compared to Garmin devices. Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t provided a solution — but here are a few tried-and-tested tips:

1. Keep devices close — make sure your watch and iPhone are paired, ideally both on charge.

2. Check the sync status — swipe left on the GURU app on your Apple Watch to confirm if the session is still pending, and tap Refresh/Sync to upload manually.

3. If stuck, restart — don’t delete the app. Simply turn both devices off and back on; this usually brings a stuck session back to life.

---

⭐️ So, which Apple Watch Should You Choose?

The Swim Smooth GURU is compatible with Apple Watch Series 2 and newer. If you’re on a budget, one of the newer SE models offers excellent value and performance. The Ultra models are fantastic — but unless you’re after the premium design or extra dive features, they may be more luxury than necessity.

---

How to Get the Most Accurate Data From Your Watch

These simple tips might seem obvious, but the number of people who tell us their watch is “rubbish” but haven’t heeded these simple steps is quite incredible:

---

Smarter Training, Seamlessly Synced with Your Watch

If you’re already using a smartwatch to track your swimming, you’ll love how the latest updates inside the Swim Smooth GURU take your training insight to a whole new level. We’ve built three powerful new features designed to help you plan smarter, train more consistently, and truly understand your progress — all using the watch you already own. From forecasting your future fitness to customising your training schedule and tailoring every pool session to your pace and setup, these upgrades make training feel more connected, personal, and rewarding than ever.

🎥 Watch the videos below to see:

1. How the Fitness Tracker and Prediction Tool visualises your training load, recovery, and progress toward your event

2. How the new Drag-and-Drop Scheduler gives you full control over your weekly plan

3. How the redesigned Session Editor lets you fine-tune every detail of your swim sessions — just like we do in Perth and around the world:

The Future of Swim Tracking Starts Now

At Swim Smooth, our mission has always been to blend the art of great coaching with the science of smart technology. Whether you wear a Garmin, Apple, or any other watch, the goal isn’t just to collect numbers — it’s to make those numbers meaningful. With our latest GURU updates, you can now track your fitness trends, visualise progress, and adapt your training schedule with the same intelligence and flexibility we use every day here in Perth.

By pairing your smartwatch with the Swim Smooth GURU, you’re not just monitoring performance — you’re training with purpose. Every stroke, rest, and recovery contributes to a clear picture of your swimming journey, empowering you to swim faster, smarter, and with greater confidence.

So before you rush out to buy the latest gadget, remember: the best watch might be the one you already own — especially when it’s powered by the Swim Smooth GURU.

Thanks for reading. Your Coach, Paul.