Get Fast Podcast - Triathlon, Ironman & Cycling Coaching Advice

How Triathletes Can Swim Minutes Faster with Brenton Ford (Effortless Swimming)

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May 22, 2025

Brenton Ford, swim coach and founder of Effortless Swimming, helps triathletes and adult swimmers break plateaus with technique-first fixes. He explains why swimmers get stuck, how long habit change takes, and when to prioritise drills over volume. Short, practical talks cover testing pool vs open-water pace, wetsuit effects, and how to train smarter to get faster.

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INSIGHT

Higher Speed Needs Precision

Faster swimmers face more nuanced bottlenecks; small refined changes matter.
Identify the single limiting factor and focus on it for several weeks.

ADVICE

Blend Technique Into Sets

Include technique in normal sets; mix focused drills into warm-ups and intervals.
Stop a set when you repeatedly fail to hold the new stroke and reset.

ADVICE

Use 1k Tech In 3k Sessions

For a 3k session, use ~1k for drills/technique and the rest for paced sets with resets.
Break long swims into shorter intervals to avoid switching off and losing form.

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A podcast to help you Train Smarter and Race Faster. Hosted by expert Triathlon coach, Australian Ironman Champion and 15 x Aus Age group Champion Gerard Donnelly, and his son, multiple Triathlon + Cycling Aus Age Group Champion Jordy Donnelly.

Unlock your swim speed! 🔓

This podcast episode with Brenton Ford (Effortless Swimming) is packed with insights on breaking through swimming plateaus and training smarter for triathletes and cyclists.

Essential listening for anyone looking to improve their swim technique and improve their swimming pace

Timestamp:
00:00 - Introduction
01:15 - Why Swimmers Get Stuck
03:30 - Are Athletes Doing It Wrong After Coaching?
06:50 - How Long Does It Take To Change Swim Habits?
10:05 - Is A Lack Of Fitness Holding Your Technique Back?
13:30 - Overcoming the 2nd Plateau
19:45 - The Ultimate Swim Technique Overhaul Plan
23:50 - Ideal Time Ratio For Swim Technique Vs. Fitness
28:00 - Why Elite Swimmers Avoid Long, Slow Training
32:50 - Why Adult-Onset Swimmers Struggle To Improve
36:40 - Overcoming The Mental Barrier Of Going Slower To Get Faster
39:00 - The Best Tests For Swim Fitness And Speed
43:30 - Pool Vs. Open Water: Understanding The Differences
46:40 - Swimming Myths Debunked
51:31 - When To Push Through Bad Form (And When To Stop)
55:30 - Swimming Is A Technique Thing

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