# #436 : How to Master Open Water Pacing, Swim Anxiety, and Stroke Mechanics with Brenton Ford

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-effortless-swimming-podcast-535850/436-how-to-master-open-water-pacing-swim-anxiety-and-stroke-mechanics-with-brenton-ford
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-effortless-swimming-podcast-535850/436-how-to-master-open-water-pacing-swim-anxiety-and-stroke-mechanics-with-brenton-ford.md
Podcast: [The Effortless Swimming Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-effortless-swimming-podcast-535850)
Published: 2026-07-17T01:58:06+00:00
Episode link: https://effortlessswimming.libsyn.com/436-how-to-master-open-water-pacing-swim-anxiety-and-stroke-mechanics-with-brenton-ford
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/effortlessswimming/trivelo_libsyn_online-audio-converter.com.mp3?dest-id=161224
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Duration seconds: 3841

## Resource

In this episode, I join the TriVelo Podcast to share my approach to swimming faster and more efficiently in open water. We discuss where to focus first when improving your stroke, the differences between galloping and balanced swim styles, why I believe many triathletes kick harder than they need to, and practical ways to stay calm and confident when racing in open water. We also dive into my thoughts on the Enhanced Games and the journey behind developing NanoClear anti-fog goggles to solve one of the biggest frustrations swimmers face. A big thanks to Gerard Donnelly and Jordan Donnelly from TriVelo Coaching for having me on the podcast. If you're a triathlete looking to train smarter and race faster, be sure to check out TriVelo Coaching. 0:11 – The starting priority for your stroke 2:09 – Analyzing Open Water galloping action 5:21 – Why you shouldn't swim like a speedboat 6:59 – The secret to fixing dragging legs 8:27 – Which Pro Athlete Has The Style To Copy? 11:33 – The kicking mistake costing you more time 15:00 – How to simulate open water in the pool 24:13 – How to sight without breaking your rhythm 27:50 – The recovery adjustment for choppy water 31:04 – Where to apply power in the pull 36:14 – Threshold sets to build raw durability 39:41 – Overcoming physical panic and hyperventilation 45:15 – Shifting your mindset on the beach 51:38 – Our honest thoughts on the Enhanced Games 56:13 – Designing a fog-free goggle

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