Swim Smooth Clinic Feedback:

We have received some excellent feedback at all 27 of our previous Swim Smooth Clinics, including our most recent 2007 Autumn Series in the UK. Use the drop-down menu above to access this feedback season-by-season. Thanks for your interest!

Most recent post-clinic feedback:

Below is some recent follow-up feedback from those whom have attended the Swim Smooth Clinic or utlisied our training program:

Hi Paul,

Just thought I'd give you a quick update on my progress since your course. You probably remember that I wrote to you the following week (I see the quote is now on your site!) to say that during a swim club session as part of a set of repeats I'd done a 3:03 200m and 1:24, 1:22 for 2x100m. Well several weeks later, after a 300m mixed stroke warm-up we did a first 500m set of 200/150/100/50. I decided to cruise the 150 and 50 and push on the 200 and 100, I was amazed to find that I hit 2:55 for the 200 then 1:19 for the 100 ie significantly better than I'd ever achieved. The next 500m set was 5x100 as hard/easy/hard/easy/hard, and I got proof that the previous set wasn't a fluke. My 3 hard 100s were 1:17, 1:18, 1:17, much to my amazement. My only problem is that I can't pinpoint exactly what I did to get the improvement but hopefully it's just the results of concentrating hard on some of the simple pointers and drills that you gave me from the course.

I hope the success of Swim Smooth continues unabated. I'm sure that this will happen given my experience in Chester and the many glowing testimonials you've received from your clinics. Hopefully I'll get chance to attend a refresher course in the future. keep up the good work.

Steve Holloway, UK

Hi Paul,

Just thought I would let you know how things are going after our session 2 weeks ago at Otley.

Well progress has been slow but I know I’m heading in the right direction. For the first time in ages last Saturday I actually enjoyed my swim as a few things clicked, mainly body rotation. I’m concentrating on the bilateral breathing at the moment as we both know this will sort out a few things. I’m certainly more a where of what my hands are doing both on entry and through the water, know it will take time to get rid of bad habits!

Think I need to go slower to go faster as this will help me get a good feel of the water and maximise the pull and push phase of the stroke and will encourage me to rotate so I can use my lats more, which I know I must be doing as they have been a bit tired and sore after some swims.

Thanks again for your time

Simon, UK.

Hello Paul...

Well, now, that is what I call a fast response - thank you! 

You got me so fired up, I just wish I could put on the suit and hit the lane to begin working on my technique. I truly appreciate your constructive and informative  comments so quickly

Harry Christie, USA

I've had a great season this year and I put that down to the long term consistancy and support of a few key people. Paul is without doubt one of those people, his belief in my ability and consistent support and advice over the last 8 years have been totally invaluable.  Thanks Paul your a star!!

Harry Wiltshire World Student Games Champion

Good day, Paul..

Your swim smooth dvd showed up this past Saturday. I played disc 1 through a couple of times. Very helpful instruction and visuals. I had to smile when you said "now how do I go out and try all these techniques at one time" because my head was filled with all of your coaching techniques and no clear plan of where to start...

I decided to work on the catch and pull stroke. The video was very helpful in understanding the dynamics of the oveall stroke path - especially hands under elbows in the pull through phase.. Next, I went to the pool and did a couple of laps sculling on the surface then in the doggie paddle position,  followed by the "new and improved stroke technique.  Very revealilng and much more efficient than before.  Thanks!    I'm sure to have some questions as I go along, so I'd like to continue corresponding with you for additional pointers to keep improving.

Many thanks for your help and encouragement.

Regards,

Harry Christie, USA

Say Paul...

I did my second workout last evening, keeping in mind the stroke and the pull thru under the elbow from Sunday. It suddenly dawned on me why you made such a point about my deep hand entry from the video I sent you - but at the same time staying positive in your critique about the benefits of such a stroke  for open water swimming. By driving my hand into the water at such a depth before the actual catch starts, I am losing so much potential pull -- now I get it!! What a revelation.... Thannnnk yooooo.....  onward to smoother swimming.....

Harry Christie, USA

Hello Paul,

Did a swim session today at lunchtime.

With your help I can now clock 1:52 for 100m - prior to your session I've been stuck for weeks at 2:05.

No issues with the shoulder today and I did push it quite hard, so it looks like you've fixed that problem as well.

So I'm really pleased. My next target is to keep working on my technique and get my time down to 1:40 for 100m.

Cheers

Andrew Green, UK.

Hi Paul,
Hope you are well.  Just to update you on progress since Lucy and I attended your clinic in Batley at the end of March.  Lucy has managed to knock 2 seconds off her 100 free time and is now down from 1.07 to 1.05 - a big improvement since she had been stuck on 1.07 for a year.  She is due to do a 400 free in a couple of weeks so is hoping to get way under 5 minutes. Also her 100 Fly time has come down fom 1.20 to 1.16.  Still not brilliant but much better. 

Please let me know when you are next in the area and if you may have any time for a one to one. Thanks again for your help.

Janet, UK

Hi Paul,

Thanks again for your help last Sunday morning I found your tips to be very "enlightening!!"  Also many thanks for the pictures.

Eric, Canada.

It's kind of cheating writing to you before I finish the program. I've only done 20 of the sessions, but my first race of the season happened over the weekend.

So, where am I? Last year I was usually leaving the water in the bottom third of all of the swimmers. (Top part of that third, but bottom third none the less.)

I finished my race in the top third! (Bottom of the top, but top third!) I figure I had about 150 people that I didn't have to try to pass while biking and running. For the first time I swam in the pack. Usually I'm off on my own, waiting for the next wave to swim over me. Now I get to enjoy the kicks and slaps for the entire swim. Hmmm...

Well anyway, Thanks so much!

Ed Mallahan, Oyster Bay, New York, USA

Paul

The stroke count has reduced, the speed has increased and I still think there is room for improvement.

Ive been swimming little but often so I don’t get tired and over stretch anything but at last I feel as if Im working with the water than against it. Just been to try out my PT paddles…… and posted my fastest 100m after (sub 1.18 and I wasn’t blowing at the end)

Thanks,

Duncan, UK.

Hi Paul

I just wanted to say how useful and enjoyablle I found the one to one session last week. Your enthusiasm was appreciated and I went away feeling like had a lot of questions answered and a real way forward. So a huge thanks.

Dale Beresford, UK

Hi Paul, it worked! Thanks again for today, appreciate how positive you were and really managed to get a lot across while not overwhelming me....I'm really excited about getting in the pool! Look forward to working with you!

Have a great trip and I'll see you when you get back!

Cheryl, Canada.

Dear Paul,

I am so impressed that you replied to me so quickly and carefully .. thanks so much! I have a feeling you are on the road to being ridiculously successful .. hang on and enjoy the ride!

Beth Melville, USA

Thanks Paul

I'm heading to Club la Santa next thursday so this will help to put a bit of structure to my training.

I did an aquathon at the start of the month and knocked 22 secs off my time from last year over 400m.  Good success story for you!

Alison, Ireland.