We just wrapped up four days of Swimcation in Naples, Florida, bringing athletes together for swims focused on form, skills, fitness and fun. One of my favorite things about coaching these camps is that everyone arrives at the pool with their own swim story – and we have a unique opportunity to help them either expand or rewrite it.
Some grew up swimming and have always felt comfortable in the water, while others found the sport later in life and have spent years trying to make sense of something that seems to come naturally to everyone else. There are athletes who love swimming, those who tolerate it and plenty who approach every session with dread.
By the time we meet them on deck, many have collected years of evidence to support whatever story they’ve been telling themselves. I’m not a natural swimmer. I have terrible technique. I’m always the slowest person in the lane.
Over time, these observations become part of an athlete’s identity. What started as a frustrating experience becomes a conclusion about what they’re capable of doing. Once we believe something about ourselves, we tend to approach challenges in ways that reinforce it.
Let’s be honest, four days won’t erase years of habits or magically transform someone’s swimming. But it can provide an opportunity to question those beliefs and develop a fresh perspective on the sport.
What do we do at Swimcation? We work on form to understand how we move through the water, develop skills that give us more options and build fitness to apply those skills under fatigue. We also make room for fun because somewhere along the way, many adult athletes have forgotten that swimming can be something to enjoy rather than another performance to evaluate. Whether it’s a 22-lane snake swim, underwater challenges, open water swimming or relays, there are plenty of ways to make swimming more engaging.
There’s also time for socializing, relaxing on the beach, a group dinner, exploring Naples and watching sunsets.
Over the course of camp, we watched athletes make technical breakthroughs, take on challenges they might have avoided and begin to recognize abilities they had previously overlooked. Those experiences can change how someone approaches the water long after camp ends.
As coaches, we can teach mechanics, prescribe sets and provide feedback. But we can also create an environment where athletes feel comfortable experimenting, struggling and learning without treating every mistake as confirmation of an old limitation.
The goal isn’t to convince everyone they’re a great swimmer. It’s to help them become a more curious one, willing to reconsider what they know and remain open to what they might learn. My hope is that after four days together, our athletes leave with new experiences and the willingness to write the next chapter differently. The story you brought to the pool doesn’t have to be the one you keep telling.
Interested in joining us for Swimcation 2027? Get on the email list and we will let you know as soon as details are available.
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About Elizabeth Waterstraat
Elizabeth Waterstraat is the founder and head coach of Multisport Mastery, established in 2007. A USA Triathlon Level III Coach with 20 years of coaching experience and 26 years as an endurance athlete, Elizabeth works with athletes ranging from first-time triathletes to national champions and world championship qualifiers. Her coaching approach emphasizes individualized training, athlete education, consistency, and long-term development.
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