by Simon Shi, Professional Triathlete & Coach
When people ask me how I swim so well in triathlon, I usually joke and say, “Simple! Just go back to your childhood and start swimming at age 7.” But the truth is, even if you didn’t grow up swimming, you can still become a confident and efficient swimmer. It just takes patience, structure, and consistency.
I’ve worked with so many triathletes who started off barely making it across the pool. One athlete I coached was training for his first Ironman and could barely swim 100 yards without stopping. He committed to 3 swims a week, sent me videos for feedback, and focused on technique over speed. Months later, he swam over 2 miles straight in open water at Ironman Texas. That’s the power of showing up consistently and trusting the process.
Swimming is the one sport in triathlon that’s all about feel. The feel comes from doing the right things over and over again. Drills, body position, sculling, kick timing, and breathing patterns will help with this. When you pair it with basic strength training like mobility, activation, and core work, that’s when you start to really feel powerful in the water.
Swimming can feel frustrating at first, especially if it doesn’t come naturally. But progress really does come from showing up day after day. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing it with intention and stacking those good days over time. Whether it’s getting in the pool consistently or committing to a few mobility sessions each week, small steps really do add up.
I’ve worked with so many triathletes who started off barely making it across the pool. One athlete I coached was training for his first Ironman and could barely swim 100 yards without stopping. He committed to 3 swims a week, sent me videos for feedback, and focused on technique over speed. Months later, he swam over 2 miles straight in open water at Ironman Texas. That’s the power of showing up consistently and trusting the process.
Swimming is the one sport in triathlon that’s all about feel. The feel comes from doing the right things over and over again. Drills, body position, sculling, kick timing, and breathing patterns will help with this. When you pair it with basic strength training like mobility, activation, and core work, that’s when you start to really feel powerful in the water.
Swimming can feel frustrating at first, especially if it doesn’t come naturally. But progress really does come from showing up day after day. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing it with intention and stacking those good days over time. Whether it’s getting in the pool consistently or committing to a few mobility sessions each week, small steps really do add up.