Swim Smooth is a world-leading swim coaching system helping swimmers and triathletes improve their technique, fitness, and open water skills.
Founded by Paul Newsome, Swim Smooth has supported swimmers in over 100 countries through expert coaching.
02/06/2026
It’s not every day you get to deliver a Swim Smooth Experience camp in sunny Mallorca with a 3-time Olympian - so great having the opportunity expertise of Fenella Ng from in Hong Kong 🇭🇰 join me and a team of 12 eager swimmers from around the world in the amazing
30/05/2026
What a week. 🇪🇸🏊♂️
The 2026 Best Fest is done and dusted, and I’m incredibly grateful to have taken out the overall Colònia Classics title again.
At nearly 48 years old, these were actually my best performances to date. Across six days I swam 36km, clocked several personal bests, and surprised myself with what was possible. And I loved every minute of it.
People often ask what the secret is.
Truthfully, it’s not very exciting.
It’s simply showing up consistently. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year.
There are no shortcuts. Just regular training, good habits, patience, and a genuine love for swimming.
But while it’s nice to reflect on the results, Best Fest has never really been about PBs, podiums, or titles.
What makes this event so special is the community.
The team at Best Centre has built something truly unique over the years. Swimmers of all ages and abilities come together from around the world to challenge themselves, support one another, share stories, and celebrate a mutual love of the water.
That atmosphere is what keeps people coming back.
It’s what keeps me coming back too.
A huge congratulations to everyone who took part this year, whether you were chasing a podium, tackling your first open water race, or simply enjoying every moment of the experience.
The memories will last far longer than any finishing time.
Here’s to another incredible week of swimming, friendship, and Mediterranean sunshine.
Roll on Best Fest 2027. ☀️🌊
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You know that advice about studying the course map before an open water race? 😅
Well… this morning at the 5km Best Fest race in Colònia de Sant Jordi, I managed to completely ignore it.
As the race started, I headed confidently towards the wrong beach on the wrong side of the hotel, adding a little extra sightseeing to my swim and gifting a couple of places to the competition in the process! As you can see from the map, it wasn’t exactly the recommended route.
Still, once I realised my mistake and got back on track, I was pleased with how the swim felt. Averaging 1:15/100m over 5km, the speed is coming along nicely and the body is feeling strong ahead of a big week of swimming here in Mallorca.
A timely reminder that open water success isn’t just about fitness and technique. Navigation, preparation and paying attention to the briefing matter too.
And perhaps the biggest lesson of all? Even coaches who spend years preaching these things can still get them spectacularly wrong from time to time. 😂🏊♂️
21/05/2026
💎 Crystal clear in the Med this morning for the start of Day 5 of the 1st of two Swim Smooth Experiences here
20/05/2026
🌄 Final preparations are well underway here in Mallorca for the 2026 Best Fest and tonight was a timely reminder of why we love this place so much. 🌅
I headed down to the beautiful Es Trenc Beach for a late evening 4 km swim as the sun dipped below the horizon. Warm, crystal-clear water, stingrays gliding silently beneath me, shoals of tropical fish darting through the shallows, and that golden Mediterranean light all around. It was absolutely delicious.
There’s something very special about these quiet swims before the energy and excitement of the week ahead begins. The calm before the storm in the very best possible way.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone here very soon. 🏊♂️☀️
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:::
19/05/2026
What a difference a day makes! 🌊🪼
Yesterday we were completely swarmed by jellyfish here in the Mediterranean during Swim Smooth Experience #1 in Mallorca, Spain. Safe to say there were a few nervous glances and some very creative sighting techniques on display! 😅
Fast forward 24 hours and the sea has totally transformed. Crystal clear water, calm conditions, and a beautiful swim this morning along the stunning Mallorca coastline. That’s open water swimming for you. Ever-changing, unpredictable, and all part of the adventure.
We can’t wait to welcome everybody arriving for the Best Fest in just under a week’s time. The water is looking sensational again and we’re ready for another amazing week of swimming, stroke correction, sunshine, and great company here in Colònia de Sant Jordi. ☀️🏊♂️
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Congratulations amazing ❤️
07/05/2026
“Don’t film my kick. It’s terrible.”
That’s what seven-time world marathon swimming champion Shelley Taylor-Smith said to me when we filmed this footage back in 2010.
The irony?
What you’re about to see is one of the most beautifully timed two-beat kicks you’ll ever witness.
No excess. No wasted energy. Just incredible rhythm, balance, timing, and connection through the catch.
Shelley’s stroke has always fascinated me because it perfectly demonstrates something many swimmers miss:
A great two-beat kick is earned through an exceptional catch and pull-through, not by trying to force the legs to work harder.
Combined with her quick turnover and seamless rhythm, it honestly looks like ballet in the water. I could watch this all day.
New blog live today at 4pm AWST on blog.swimsmooth.com
24/04/2026
Small gains don’t always feel like much… until you add them up.
Over the last 6 weeks, my average pace in a simple weekly benchmark set has improved by just 2.53s per 100m. Hardly headline stuff. But over 4km, that’s 1:41 faster. Over 10km, it’s 4:13. About a 3% improvement, just from consistently showing up and doing the work.
It’s a bit like watching a child grow. You don’t notice it day to day, but step back and the change is obvious.
That’s what consistency does. Quiet, steady progress that compounds over time.
With Best Fest 10km coming up, there’s potentially more to come. Nothing fancy. Just keeping things simple and repeatable.
Read the full post now on blog.swimsmooth.com
23/04/2026
❄️🥶 Winter’s coming but the squad is still out in full force