Freespeed: Unlocking Better Swimming with Coach Paul Eaglestone

This week I'm joined by swim coach and author Paul Eaglestone, whose new book Freespeed offers a simple but powerful approach to improving front crawl technique — especially for triathletes. Paul shares insights from a lifetime in swimming, including his early coaching work with Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee, and why he believes most triathletes can find "free speed" in the water through better technique, not harder work. From hydrodynamics and stroke mechanics to the role of kicking, turns, and even dryland training, this conversation is packed with practical advice for swimmers of all abilities — whether you're tackling your first sprint triathlon or chasing a Kona slot. What You’ll Learn: Why Paul prioritises efficiency over intensity — especially for triathletesHow he helped Alex Yee become a smooth and confident swimmerThe importance of stroke count as a metric for swim progressWhat triathletes can learn from elite swim training — and what they should ignoreWhy drills, kicking, and even tumble turns matter for open water performanceHow to use "target pace" training for real, measurable swim improvementsPaul's take on mobility, strength training, and the ideal swim training mixOpen water training tips: how much is enough and what to practise Grab the Book: Freespeed by Paul Eaglestone – available now Connect with Paul: Find Paul on social media or Zwift. Reach out if you’ve read the book or want to challenge his ideas! Facebook - Freespeed Swimming Paul Eaglestone Instagram - peagle1867 Freespeedswimming Paul highly recommends the following book The Talent Code - Daniel Coyle Like What You Heard? If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with someone you care about—and help spread the word about using FreeSpeed to swim faster Useful Links: Join the Unstuck Collective – for Beth’seekly inspiration and coaching insights (not a chat group; replies welcome via DM).Follow our Ironman Austria Travel Diary on FacebookPrecision Fuel & Hydration – Thanks to the team for helping Beth stay cool and cramp-free. Connect with Us: Website: www.simonward.co.ukEmail: [e-mail] Looking for more content from me? Check out my Instagram and YouTube channels Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Sign up for Beth’s weekly newsletter Want to Stay Battle Ready? If you want to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient version of yourself, there are two ways to get started: 1-1 Coaching with Simon Ward – Get a personalised programme designed for your lifestyle and goals. Book a call today Join Simon’s SWAT Inner Circle – a community for athletes over 40 focused on strength, health, and longevity. You can watch a brief video about the group by going to our website here, and join our SWAT High Performance Human tribe here. To contact Beth regarding Life Coaching, please visit her website at BethanyWardLifeCoaching.uk. For any questions please email [e-mail].