Open Water Training | Mediterra Swim & Run

Distance Swimming in Kaş

by Coach Mat | 29 Sep, 2018

As I write this I am sitting on our ‘command boat’ in the sea next to the peninsula in Kaş, Turkey. 30 minutes ago our swimmers begin the first strokes of their challenge swim on this final training day of our open water distance camp. The weather is...

New Swimming Pleasures In The Dominican Republic

by Coach Mat | 18 Feb, 2018

Today we finished our first open water (exploratory!) swim camp in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. We had 8 swimmers, 4 companions, and 5 staff including myself for 6 nights on this picturesque sub-tropical island sitting between Cuba (west) and Puerto Rico (east)...

Four Step Training Progression – Part 1

by Coach Mat | 2 Oct, 2017

Inspired by what we just experienced this week at our distance training camp in Kaş Turkey, I wanted to share a bit how we set up our training at these kind of events. At swim camps we have a special opportunity to work with our swimmers for several consecutive days...

Drink Up!

by Coach Mat | 11 Jul, 2015

As the heat of summer gradually builds into an oven-like experience here on the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey I am reminded annually to renew and improve my habit of hydration. That habit has gotten better for me but I still notice weaknesses in it. And I am betting...

Metrics In Open Water: How To Train

by Coach Mat | 20 Jul, 2014

For most swimmers who desire it training in open-water may still only be an occasional or seasonal experience. That means most swimmers practice in the pool, swimming and measuring things between walls – this is ‘normal’ while swimming without walls...

My Head Or My Watch?

by Coach Mat | 12 Jul, 2014

Should I count stroke in my head or can I use my swim watch? It’s a good question – you’re likely asking it because you own one of those expensive swim watches, and need to know what it is good for. I don’t want to discourage anyone from using...