14 October 2025 I think many swimmers can relate to the idea of seeking to swim the perfect race. Yes, the final time matters, but a perfect race is much more than the results. A perfect race is when you execute your strategy perfectly. A perfect race is when all the fundamentals are executed with precision: starts, underwaters, turns, stroke count, breathing patterns. A perfect race is when you feel simultaneously in control and complete command of your body, while at the sa

12 October 2025 I am no expert on the intersection of the British school system with elite sports performance, but I have learned enough from living here almost two years to know that Millfield Prepatory School has an impressive aquatic pedigree. When I saw an afternoon meet pop on the Swimming England Masters calendar, the Southwest Region Open Meet, I knew I had to make the trip. It did not disappoint. This facility, dedicated in 1995, has a reverential air, from the v

6 October 2025 Well, Boris did one thing great, even if all it probably was, was showing up and cutting a ribbon. While the 1930s era lido gets all the pool love online (which appears deserved), I swam indoors today and think this is the finest leisure Centre aquatic facility in the London area (note: I still think the London Aquatics Centre is the best pool, but that’s in a different category). The indoor tank appears to be 50M, with at least the far end (in the picture) at

5 October 2025 This morning’s very short 1,100 meters was so for three very good reasons. First, this leisure centre just outside of the downtown core of Southampton doesn’t start its Sunday lane swimming service until 8:30am and I have a morning train to catch back to London, with breakfast still to eat. Second, with yesterday’s 2,500 meters fast aerobic Masters workout, I had already ratcheted up my average weekly swim volume by 30%**, and I am trying to be mindful of incre

17 September 2025 I really would have liked to get a good picture of the inside of this newly renovated pool in Basel, but the lifeguard/entry office was right next to the only window with a good view of the whole pool … and that glass window had a sufficiently sized pictogram indicating no photos that I couldn’t take a snap and play dumb! So, a crummy picture of pretty pool, the Hallenbad Rialto , now #756 on my #1001Pools quest. In the basement underneath the four lane,

13 September 2025 - Tiranë After swimming the turquoise seas of the vibey beach paradise of Ksamil , where white-sand coves and clear...

08 September 2025 Our Albanian vacation actually started in Corfu, because we wanted to go from Ksamil in the south through Dhermi and...

1 September 2025 I didn't see any evidence of potters anywhere at the massive Furzefield Leisure Centre in Potters Bar, the first town...

30 August 2025 My wife went to Paris for the weekend to connect with her (practically) lifelong friend, who happened to be there for a...

27 August 2025 Technically (unless I do some rounding), I didn't cross the 75% achievement hurdle on my #1001Pools goal until I swam in...