Most of us were taught that a long, graceful stroke is the "gold standard" of swimming. We've spent years obsessing over lowering our stroke count and chasing that perfect SWOLF score. Here’s the truth: In a 70.3 open-water swim, "pretty" often equals "slow." When you focus on a long glide in a pool, you have a wall to push off and no waves to stop you. But the moment you hit open water with chop, current, and 500 other athletes: 1. The Stall: Every time you "pause" to glide, the water resistance hits you like a brick wall. You lose all your momentum. 2. The Restart: You then have to use massive amounts of energy just to get moving again. 3. The Sink: Long glides often lead to "dead spots" in your stroke where your hips and legs start to drop. The Stealth Fix: Stop trying to swim like an Olympic pool specialist. We want a resilient, punchy rhythm. A slightly higher stroke rate that acts like a 4x4 engine—cutting through the chop rather than being stopped by it. You want to have a robotic stroke that utilises front quadrant swimming and 3/4 catch up as the basis 3/4 Catch-Up – Rhythm Without Stalling Full catch-up can create dead spots. No timing & creates chaos. 3/4 catch-up builds smooth overlap without pausing. ✔ Better rhythm ✔ Cleaner timing ✔ Fewer rushed strokes Next Thursday (March 12th), I’m showing you the exact Stroke Rate targets you should be hitting to avoid the "Over-Glide" trap. 👇 Comment below: What’s your current "Strokes Per Length" in a 25m pool? (Be honest!)

Welcome to the Squad!! If you’re here, it’s because you’re done with "random acts of training." You’re ready to move away from the guesswork and toward a calculated, professional approach to your 70.3 finish line. To get the most out of this community, you need to know how we operate. We run on a 13-Week Rolling Mastery Cycle. Every week, we deep-dive into one specific pillar of performance. Whether you are 12 weeks out from a race or just starting your build, this cycle ensures no "energy leaks" are left in your game. 🗓 THE WEEKLY RHYTHM To keep you on track without overwhelming your schedule, we follow this exact beat every week: - MONDAY: The "Problem" Poll. We identify where the squad is struggling. - WEDNESDAY: The Mid-Week Check-in. Key insights to prep you for the briefing. - THURSDAY: THE STEALTH BRIEFING (Live). 20 minutes of pro-level strategy + Q&A. - FRIDAY: The Recap & Resource Drop. Replays and Cheat Sheets go live in the Classroom. 📍 WHERE TO START 1. Check the Calendar: Find the next Thursday Briefing and hit "Add to Calendar." Showing up live is where the breakthroughs happen. 2. Visit the Classroom: All past briefings and "Stealth Toolsets" are archived there. Start with Week 1: Swim Metrics. 3. Introduce Yourself: Post in the community! Tell us which race you’re targeting in 2026 and what your #1 goal is right now. The goal is simple: We stop training for fatigue, and we start training for the finish line. See you in the briefings. — Nick Speedy Swimming Stealth Squad

📊 Your Garmin/Coros says you’re "Productive"... but are you actually getting faster? Most triathletes / open water swimmers finish a swim set and look at a screen full of SWOLF, Heart Rate, and "Training Effect" scores. But if I asked you right now: "What was your stroke rate on your 3rd interval, and did your pace drop when your tempo changed?"... could you answer? Most can't. Because the watch is a distraction, not a coach. This Wednesday, we are killing the "noise." The Poll: What is the #1 metric you look at after a swim? SWOLF Score (The vanity metric) 📈 Pace per 100m (The honest truth) ⏱️ Heart Rate (Usually a guess in the water) ❤️ I just look at the total distance and hope for the best 🏊‍♂️ Vote below. I’ll be using these results to show you what to IGNORE on next Thursday, 12th March's Live Briefing.

Welcome to the Squad! You've joined just in time—our first 'Stealth Briefing' on Swim Metrics is live this Thursday, March 12th. See you there!

Hey Stealth athletes, ​Most triathletes train for "The Swim." The smart ones train for "The Race." ​There is a massive difference between holding a pace in a heated 25m pool and navigating the Atlantic swell in Cascais, the "washing machine" start in Bolton, or a non-wetsuit heatwave in Frankfurt. ​I want to make sure everyone in this squad is technically "Race-Proofed." ​I’ve been deep-diving into the 2026 course profiles, and I’m putting together a series of Stealth Race Reviews—breaking down the exact technique, sighting strategy, and "drag-reduction" hacks you need for specific courses. ​👇 DROP YOUR 2026 RACE (S) BELOW! @Jax Quant @Paul McCullock @Amanda Pritchard @Sharon Ewer @Pamela Bramble @Manaf Marouane @Maximilian von Heesen @Scott White @Terry Curtis @Kerry Rogers I know most of yours, but you might inspire another founding member of the Stealth Triathlon Squad, or if you're raising money for a great cause with an event, you never know what can happen! You can make friends here too with other members ​Which 70.3 or Full Ironman / Open Water Swim Challenge is your "A-Race" this year? ​Whether it's an Ironman, Challenge, or a local classic, comment with your Race Name + Date. ​ What happens next: I’ll pick the most popular races and drop a 3-Point Technical Checklist ​We’ll cover: ​The Sighting Trap: How to navigate that specific sun/current. ​The Catch Mechanic: Adapting your pull for the [Lake/Sea/River] conditions. ​The Secret "Free Speed": Where the drafting and turn-buoy wins are. ​Let me know where you're heading in the comments! 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️