I still remember the first time I swapped out the clean lines of a swimming pool for the endless blue unknown of open water. No black lines to follow. No wall to push off. Just waves, wind, and my own disoriented breathing. I thought I was fit—until I realized the mental game of open water swimming was in a league of its own.

Recently, I listened to an insightful podcast featuring Greg Harper, a professional triathlete and a standout swimmer. His journey from pool proficiency to open water dominance is a masterclass in adaptation, mental grit, and smart training. If you’re an aspiring triathlete or recreational swimmer trying to make the leap, this post is for you.

🏊♂️ Redefining Your Swim Stroke for Open Water

According to Greg, open water swimming often demands a higher stroke rate and what he describes as a "scrappier" technique. Unlike the long, smooth strokes often taught in the pool, open water swimmers need to be agile, reactive, and yes—even a bit messy. Choppy conditions, crowded start lines, and a lack of visual references require a more adaptable approach.

Think of it like turning from a ballet dancer into a street fighter. Graceful technique still matters, but survival and efficiency trump elegance.

🧠 The Mental Game: Training Your Mind to Stay Calm in Chaos

One of the key themes Greg emphasizes is mental preparation—something that often gets overlooked. Fear of dark water, disorientation, or simply race-day nerves can cripple your performance faster than any lack of physical fitness. In fact, your brain may be more of a limiting factor than your body.

“You have to rehearse being comfortable with discomfort,” Greg explains. Whether it’s through sighting drills, no-wall sets, or training in unpredictable environments, the goal is to program your nervous system to stay calm when chaos hits.

🏋️♀️ Strength vs. Technique: Why Muscles Might Be Overrated

One of the myths Greg brilliantly debunks is that success in swimming is all about brute strength. Instead, he champions stroke efficiency and technique—especially over long distances where fatigue sets in and form begins to crumble.

This insight mirrors my own experience. There was a time I doubled down on strength work—pull buoys, paddles, resistance cords—convinced that I could “muscle” my way to better swim splits. The result? Slower swim times and nagging shoulder issues. Once I focused on technique and stroke rate, improvement came faster than expected.

📏 Paddle Size: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

If you’ve ever thought upgrading to bigger paddles would instantly make you stronger, Greg has a word of caution: too big of a paddle can hinder stroke rhythm and exacerbate poor mechanics. It’s a bit like learning to type with weighted gloves—sure, your forearms might get stronger, but good luck typing faster or more accurately.

Choose your tools wisely. Sometimes less is truly more.

🔄 Consistency Over Time: The Real Secret to Improvement

This is the part of the podcast that really hit home for me. Greg shares stories of athletes of all ages, many starting from basic swim ability, who saw huge improvements simply due to consistent, focused practice.

This echoes one of my favorite truths about both finance and fitness: compounding returns. In finance, it’s compound interest. In fitness, it’s adaptations built over time from small, repeated actions. Just like your savings account, your swim skills grow with discipline—not luck.

🇦🇺 The Australian Edge: Purpose and Culture

Greg also tips his hat to the Australian swim culture—a system steeped in respect for the sport and purposeful training from an early age. It made me reflect on the environments we surround ourselves with. Culture matters. Whether it's a local swim squad or an online group of training peers, surrounding yourself with people who respect the process makes everything easier.

🎯 Final Thoughts: Swim Smart, Swim Purposefully

Whether you're training for your first sprint triathlon or prepping for Kona, the key takeaway from Greg Harper’s insights is this: swimming success is more mental and methodical than muscular. It's about setting clear intentions, executing with consistency, and giving yourself the grace to improve incrementally.

At the end of the day, open water swimming is about resilience—your ability to stay calm when others panic, to stay efficient when others fade, and to keep learning against the current.

So don’t compare strokes—compare mindsets. The waves won’t wait. But if you keep swimming smart and keep showing up, they just might carry you farther than you thought possible.