#429 : The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

#429 : The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

From The Effortless Swimming Podcast by Brenton Ford

May 30, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

Brenton Ford discusses the differences between pool and open water swimming techniques with guest Grant, emphasizing adaptability and mindset.

In this episode, I sit down with Grant to share what I've learned over nearly two decades of coaching and racing in both pool and open water environments, including qualifying for Open Water Nationals as an adult. We explore the gap between pool-perfect technique and what actually works in real race conditions like chop, fatigue, and contact. I break down why swimmers often struggle when they try to carry over overly rigid pool habits into open water, and how that leads to overthinking and breakdown under pressure. We also get into how I now approach stroke rate, breathing, sighting, and recovery in a more adaptable way, depending on conditions. A key theme is simplicity, learning to stay relaxed, trust feel, and avoid constantly chasing technical changes. We also cover what truly transfers from pool to open water, and why consistency and mindset matter more than constant technique overhauls.Timestamps 03:51 – Why pool technique doesn't always translate to open water 07:40 – Stroke rate, sighting, breathing patterns, and adapting to rough conditions 12:19 – Common mistakes swimmers make with technique and body awareness 16:55 – How Brenton simplifies coaching and decides what not…

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