The Community Answers: “Nothing has improved my swimming as much as _____”

We all have our success secrets. What helps you do your best when swimming in the open water?

Each week, Odyssey asks the open water swimming community a question in the “Ask the Community” series. Questions range from asking swimmers what they love and hate about OWS to how much they would accept to never swim again. This week’s question asks swimmers for the thing that has improved their swimming the most. 

Imrpoved my swimming.png

Here are the great responses we received on Facebook and Instagram. 

Facebook 

  • “Learning to rotate my body so that I am more aerodynamic.” - Elise C. 

  • “My waterproof iPod.” - Sigrid H. 

  • “Total Immersion.” - Gary W. 

  • “My team.” - Sarah M.

  • “More swimming.” - Suzette C. 

  • “Strength training paired with consistent swimming.” - Bianca B. 

  • “More swimming.” - Veronika O.

  • “Slowing down first to create good technique and muscle memory before adding speed.” - Courtney W.

  • “Having a coach who teaches proper technique and provides good programs.” - Camille G. 

  • “Practice, dry land, practice, & stroke work.” - Linda S. 

  • “Consistent swimming and pilates!” - Kerri McConaha

  • “Consistency 🏊🏻‍♀️🏊🏻🏊‍♂️🚣‍♀️.” - Shon J. 

Instagram 

  • “Swimming.” - @mrweskayak

  • “Competing.” - @johan_tri81

  • “My stroke being filmed and played back to me.” - @charlie.swims

  • “Commitment 🏊‍♀️👊” - @dana_haldeman

  • “Increased frequency of OW swimming (distances, multiple days a week), learning to relax in all weather and water conditions…” - @seth.horowitz.3

  • “Getting a stronger pull from dryland training.” - @elizabethboscacci

  • “Consistency + swimming with other swimmates that help push you = So amazing 🏊‍♀️.” - @mickysabine

  • “Commitment to waking up early to swim, rinse and repeat.” - @mickoconcarne 

  • “Time. When I began in 2011, I couldn’t imagine how much I would progress.” - @triing1on

  • “Commitment…” - @fouadbdiab

  • “Pools reopening… lol.” - @thejamesarthur

  • “Volume.” - @nicetri_oldguy

  • “Odyssey.” - @mykrilee 


Participate in upcoming “Ask the Community” questions with Odyssey Open Water Swimming and the open water swimming community. Follow Odyssey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Rustin Rassoli