Risk Management in OW | Mediterra Swim & Run

About Making Good Choices

by Coach Mat | 26 Jan, 2020

I was out on a run through the rough, muddy, and very slippery trails of Roads End State Park on the Oregon Coast today. While navigating some treacherous sections of the trail, and loosing footing occasionally, I was pondering what I said in my previous post about...

Inducing Panic, Inducing Peace

by Coach Mat | 26 Mar, 2016

Last weekend I attended (and passed with ‘flying colors’ as I was told by my instructors!) the Red Cross Lifeguard Training course at our local aquatic center. I needed to renew my First Aid-CPR-AED certification and had been wanting to expand my practical...

Open Water Sun Protection

by Coach Mat | 3 Jul, 2014

How do I protect myself from the sun while swimming in open-water? That’s a very important question, and one I hear often at this time of the year. Here are my two recommendations: 1) A rash-guard or swim-shirt. If you want no hindrance while swimming the fit...

Preparing For Your Open Water Race

by Coach Mat | 29 Jun, 2014

How Do I Prepare For My Open Water Race? Would you like to make your next open-water race experience as pleasant and successful as possible? Here is a way to maximize your chances of that… Here is summary of my advice for how to prepare for your next open-water...

Problem Solving In Open Water

by Coach Mat | 7 Jun, 2013

We can divide the teaching we give in our private lessons, camps, and workshops in two categories: 1) Stroke and Swimming Skills 2) Problem-Solving Skills “Problem-Solving?” you might ask. (The sunset view from the veranda of our hotel here in Kaş where we...

Easing Into Cool/Cold Water

by Coach Mat | 9 Nov, 2012

I want to launch a little discussion (in your head at least) about how to get acclimated to colder water. Let me review my proposed temperature grades: Cool Water = 20 C to 16 C (68 to 61 F) Cold Water = 15 C to 10 C (60 to 50 F) But really, what matters is how you...