Swim Smooth Stories of Success!

Swim Smooth prides itself on being able to teach and coach swimmers and triathletes of ALL levels from Learn-to-Swim up to Elite level competition - with results to demonstrate!! A lot of people new to the sport will often feel intimidated and lack confidence when brought into the swimming environment and will require a swim coach that they can trust and feel comfortable with to take them through the basics of their first few sessions. One such example of this is one of Paul's first swimmers, Phil, who at the age of 31 years had suffered a severe phobia of water since the age of six. In Australia this restricted him quite a bit when it came to activities at the beach and ocean etc. Over the course of a summer, Phil committed himself to learning to swim and overcome his fears. In doing so, Phil now displays great free-style technique and whilst he still admits to having some nerves every now and again, the confidence that learning this great skill of swimming has given him and has impacted on his whole life.

Phil has very kindly agreed to share his thoughts and feelings with you. You can read his story here.

Other Stories of Success:

I just thought I'd write you an email mostly to say thanks and update you on my progress because I've just completed my first triathlon!! I can't believe it - I'm so happy!

After you came to Belfast the last time for the refresher course my swimming just picked up so much - I went from barely being able to swim 4 lengths non-stop to doing a 1k time trial at the Monday session a few weeks later. I did the club aquathon back in April and I don't think I've ever been so nervous about anything in my life. The swim was 400m and it took me 8mins 24 which wasn't amazing by most standards but it was for me and it just helped my confidence so much!!

Yesterday at the sprint triathlon I checked my watch as I got out of the pool and I did the 750m in about 15 mins 50 although the timing mat was just before the bike transition so my time was a little longer with that included. It felt so much better than the aquathon swim because I was panicking less.

There's still a long, long way to go but now that I know I can complete a triathlon I really want to work on being faster. My time yesterday was 1hr 27.55 so I can definitely improve on that. But honestly I just couldn't have imagined being able to complete a triathlon this time last year - my swimming was just so weak it seemed impossible and if it hadn't been for the swimsmooth course I know I wouldn't have been able to do it so thanks so much!!

All the best

Barbara Walshe, Belfast.

Last summer I swam the relay leg of the salford triathlon, 750metres in seventeen minutes. Between event nerves and , I see now, poor technique, I was exhausted coming out of the water. I attended a session with Paul ,in Bolton, last September and practiced the drills through the winter. Last weekend, March 23rd as part of  national swimathon, I completed 5km in 0ne hour, thirty seven minutes and still felt quite strong at the end . I am enjoying my swimming now , more than ever. Pauls enthusiasm was infectious and his obvious  interest in my improvement , despite me being no spring chicken and carrying a fair bit of "timber", was really encouraging.

Barry, Bolton, UK.

Well, I had my swim time trial last night and it went way better than I ever would have expected. In case you don't remember my last time was 18:19, so I thought if I could do in the mid 17's I would be happy. Took the whole 1km as hard as I possibly could, something that I am only just learning how to do in the swim - to be able to go out hard but not so hard that I blow up mid way through. Ended up with a time of 16:31 and I couldn't believe it - still can't to tell you the truth! I also have to say a big thank you to you once again, as I have no doubt that rewatching the swimsmooth DVD a few times has really helped me focus in on the areas that I need to improve!!

Clinton Doak, Perth, Australia.

You have made my swimming so much faster!

Greg, Stadium TRI, Perth.

In 8 weeks Paul's coaching took 10 seconds off my 100m times and improved my Half IM swim by minutes. Without his coaching I wouldn't have qualified for my first full IM, simple as that.

Nathan, Perth.

Just thought I'd drop you a line to say thanks for the one on one coaching you gave me and a couple of other guys from Rockingham. I really appreciated it and absolutely love swimming! Now if I can just learn to run!!!! Check out my swim times from last years half to this year:

2002 34:12
2003 27:46

That's a 6:26 improvement, pretty good I'd say. So thanks again.

Derek, Rockingham TRI.

My one session with you has definitely helped, even though I haven't swam once in the pool since being home. All my swims have been ocean only and enjoying it - think I've got that dodgy right arm pull sussed better anyway. Keen on a follow up with you next time I can get to Perth so will contact you then.

Jody, Esperance Tri Club.

Now if ever you had an opportunity to convert a Non-swimmer into one of your success stories, it would have to be me.

Unfortunately you will not be around to add my story to your (already impressive) CV, but I think I ought to go for another swim lesson some time in the future. You may recall you gave me a single swim lesson in about July last year when my swimming went from zero to IM (and a respectable 79 minutes) that enabled me to finish in 10.30 and 2nd in M50.

Bob de la Motte.

I am forever grateful for the support and help you have given me over the months Paul leading up to the Ironman, without your encouragement and "HEEEEAAAPS" of help with my swimming and other areas I wouldn't have made it. I did a very successful time of 1hr41min in the swim (how great was that, considering the conditions) 6hr47min on the bike, but the run!!! Well my quads were very sore and after the second lap I had problems, not sure why, but ended up doing an overall time of 13hrs57min....awesome....just under 14hrs, I'm so happy. "GO FOR IT PAUL", you've got all it takes, that's for sure, no doubt about it.

Shirley Bell.

I would just like to thank you for teaching me how to swim... apart from the health benefits,(I seek out ways to do some form of exercise each day), you should have seen the thrilled look on my thirteen year old son's face when I fronted up unannounced for the Dads vs. Sons Water Polo game a few weeks ago! The score 4 dunks to 1 (I waited till the end).

David Todd.

In the 3 months that Paul has coached me at the Christchurch pool with the Kirby Swim Program, my swimming has benefited in a significantly greater way than under any other coach. He takes a systematic and personalized approach to his coaching that has excellence at its cornerstone. His enthusiasm for his craft infects his students. As a result of that my view is that Paul is an exceptional swimming coach.

Tony Van Merwyk, Partner in the law firm Freehills, Australia.