🚦You Don’t Stop Swimming When You Get Old, You Get Old When You Stop Swimming!
Please re-read this every time you tell yourself "maybe I'm just too old?"
Hey Swimmers,
There's a quote I spotted recently, scribbled on the wall of a cozy café in Gracetown, Western Australia. It read:
"You don't stop swimming when you get old, you get old when you stop swimming."
It’s a simple statement, yet it holds a profound truth about the power of staying active and living life with intent. I couldn’t wait to share it with my Squad in Perth this week, given how much I knew it would resonate with those that I coach (so, sorry if you’re hearing it again!).
This wisdom hit home after a particularly rough and wild open water swim I took with a group of stoic local swimmers. My wife and I had been invited for a dip during a short getaway to celebrate my daughter's 13th birthday.
That morning, as we pulled into the carpark, it was howling with wind and rain, the type of weather that makes you want to roll over and stay tucked under the ‘doona’ (that’s Aussie for duvet!). The last thing most of us wanted to do was challenge the churning Indian Ocean to a swim. But we’d made the effort to leave our warm beds for an 8 a.m. start, holding each other accountable for showing up when the rest of the world was still asleep.
We wouldn’t advocate swimming in unsafe conditions, but pushing through the discomfort and confronting those elements that day reminded me of two things. First, that swimming truly is a fountain of youth, a practice that keeps you feeling vibrant and alive. Second, it brought to mind a piece of advice I've long valued:
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
It’s a mantra that encourages us to live with intention and purpose. It’s not about being reckless but about facing challenges head-on as a path to growth.
Every time you get out of your comfort zone, you're not just facing your fears—you’re giving them a run for their money. It’s not about just surviving the tough stuff; it’s about getting stronger because of it. With each challenge you take on, you find out what you’re really capable of and keep adding to the richness of your life.
Reflections from Gracetown
That weekend in Gracetown was a perfect opportunity for some reflection. I brought along Die with Zero by Bill Perkins, a book recommended to me by my good friend and fellow coach, Dan Plews. Its message resonated deeply: prioritizing experiences that bring joy and fulfillment over accumulating material possessions. In many ways, it mirrored the ethos of the café’s quote and the idea of facing daily challenges. When you have the health and opportunity, why wait for the "right time" to do what you love?
Looking Ahead: Rottnest and Beyond
Taking that advice to heart, I’ve decided to act now. Just last Wednesday, I registered for my 6th Rottnest Channel Swim, set for February 2025. When you’re feeling strong and capable, there's no reason to delay—embracing the challenge now is something I try to apply not only in my swimming but in life as well.
The weekend in Gracetown reminded me just how important both swimming and travel are to me and how much enjoyment myself and my coaches all take in sharing both of these with others.
What you might not realize is that when I first set up Swim Smooth 20 years ago, I built it to be mobile. This flexibility wasn’t just about running camps and clinics worldwide—it was also about creating a way to travel 'home' to England 1-2 times a year to reconnect with friends and family after emigrating to Australia in 2001. That sense of freedom and connection through travel has always been at the heart of Swim Smooth’s mission—though it’s a wonder it’s taken us nearly 20 years to build this into an offering! Better late than never, I suppose, but the wait has made it all the more special.
3 New Dates for 2025!
The concept behind our Swim Smooth Experiences goes far beyond just a swimming holiday or a training camp—there are plenty of options out there for those. Instead, these Experiences are about creating something truly unique: connecting people who are passionate about swimming and learning, with world-class coaching, in stunning environments. It’s about making lifelong memories and embracing the joy of both the journey and the destination.
*****
”If you are a master swimmer and/or open water enthusiast serious about improving your stroke while learning from the best swim coaches, you must attend the Swim Smooth Experience. There are a few other swim master camps and swim holiday outfits in the market (and I’ve been on most of them!); however they do not compare to the quality of the coaching and swimming technique analysis AND the open water swimming opportunities offered by Swim Smooth in their Experience camp.”
Jose L.
June 2024, Mallorca Experience
With that in mind, I’m excited to share the 2025 schedule for our Swim Smooth Experiences. The first 3 of these all sold out and with a max of 12 swimmers per Experience, please don’t delay in reserving your spot with a deposit using the appropriate link below:
Mallorca, Spain: 1-7 June 2025 – A week of world-class coaching in one of the most stunning swim destinations. 6 nights, half-board, all transfers and excursions and full daily coaching inc. video analysis - prices €1,999 (single), €2,499 (double, non-swimmer partner), €3,699 (double, both swimming):
Montenegro: 21-27 September 2025 – Dive into pristine waters and enjoy a perfect blend of relaxation and focused training. 6 nights, half-board, all transfers and excursions and full daily coaching inc. video analysis - prices €1,899 (single), €2,399 (double, non-swimmer partner), €3,599 (double, both swimming):
“Ultimate” Western Australia: 9-19 November 2025 – For a special 20th anniversary celebration, we’ll be hosting a 10-night Swim Smooth Experience right here on my doorstep. This trip will showcase the best of the southwest corner of WA including stays down in Busselton/Dunsborough and Denmark as well as Rottnest Island, combined with the opportunity to train with the Perth Squad. It’s a chance to reconnect with the roots of Swim Smooth and share the journey with our incredible community. An absolute bucket-list once-in-a-lifetime Experience awaits! 10 nights, half-board, all transfers and excursions and full daily coaching inc. video analysis - prices AUD $6,499 (single), AUD $7,999 (double, non-swimmer partner), AUD $10,999 (double, both swimming):
These experiences are more than just training camps—they’re about living life to the fullest, embracing challenges, and sharing the joy of swimming with like-minded people.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to take the plunge, maybe this is it.
Come join us in 2025, and let’s keep swimming, challenging ourselves, and making the most of every moment.
Your Coach, Paul.
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