Reconnecting with joy, unlocking confidence & fuelling for the island
Whether you’ve been swimming with us for a while or are new to the Ace Swimming community, welcome to this month’s newsletter! 👋
Each month, we share practical coaching tips, mindset insights, session updates, and upcoming events, all designed to help you stay consistent, build confidence, and enjoy your swimming, wherever you are in your journey.
Let’s dive in!
The Joy of Holiday Swimming
“Over the summer, one thing really stood out to me…how refreshing it can be to simply enjoy swimming with no expectation.
I was fortunate enough to spend time in the water in Portugal last month. From calm open water swims surrounded by marine life, to a relaxing session in a huge 100m sea pool, protected from the waves crashing just beyond the wall.
One of my favourite moments was a quiet pool swim in front of a glowing golden sunset, a swim I’ll remember for a long time.
And while a holiday swim is always special, the bigger reminder is this: swimming doesn’t always need to be about structure, progress, or pushing hard.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is take the pressure off, enjoy being in the water, and reconnect with the joy that first drew you in.
I hope you’ve had the chance to catch a break this summer and if you did, that the water gave you that same reminder too.”
– Jason
🌊 Group Sea Swim Session
It’s the last of our summer swim sessions before we switch to our winter sea swimming programme in October.
Group sessions this month:
🗓️ Saturday 13th September | 10:00–10:30am | Firestone Bay, Plymouth
🗓️ Saturday 20th September | 10:00–10:30am | Firestone Bay, Plymouth
Our relaxed, mixed-ability session helps build confidence, improve technique, and offer a supportive swim community. Suitable for all levels.
💬 Private Coaching
Our 1:1 or 1:2 support in the sea will help you build your skills in the open water, prepare for upcoming events, or return after time away.
🗓️ September availability is limited so be sure to book soon!
📲 Online Programming
Structured swim sessions you can follow anywhere, anytime. Perfect for keeping your training consistent between in-person sessions.
Ideal if you're short on time, travelling for work or pleasure, or swimming solo.
🧭 Ask Your Coach
Got a question about training, sea swimming, technique, or anything else?
Leave a comment with your question below, or ask one of us at a session, we’ll answer one question each month in this section.
This month’s question:
❓What should I eat and drink before the Drake’s Island Swim?
A great question and the answer starts with one golden rule:
Don’t try anything new on race day.
With a few weeks still left to go, now’s the time to practise your fuelling and hydration so that everything feels familiar, comfortable, and dialled-in when the big day arrives.
Here’s some general guidance:
Have a balanced breakfast 2–3 hours before the swim. Something you’ve had before training and know sits well. The goal here is to top up energy stores without feeling too full or running into digestive issues. Options like porridge, toast with nut butter, or yoghurt and fruit work well for many swimmers.
Stay hydrated: Sip water regularly in the lead-up to the event. Some swimmers also find it helpful to add electrolytes (like a hydration tablet) to their water, especially if it’s a hot day or they’re prone to cramp, but this is totally optional.
Optional light snack 30–60 minutes before the swim to top up your energy. Quick energy hits like a banana, a few sweets, or an energy bar can work, depending on what you’ve practised. But this isn’t essential so feel free to skip if you’re still feeling good from breakfast.
Use your remaining training sessions to test different timing and combinations. That way, you’ll be confident in what makes you feel your best.
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Dom’s journey is one of quiet consistency, real courage, and a love for the water that just keeps growing.
Dom first joined us in the sea as a competent pool swimmer, but like many, he felt unsure about being out of his depth in open water. That didn’t stop him from showing up, getting stuck in, and gradually building trust in himself and his surroundings.
Month by month, Dom pushed the boundaries of his comfort zone. He started swimming further out, refined his technique, and found his rhythm.
But this year, something really clicked - his confidence!
He’s out swimming multiple times a week (with and without Ace!), confidently clocking lengths between the buoys, and inspiring others with his progress and determination.
And this month, he’s taking on his first sea swimming event in the shape of the Drake’s Island Swim.
We couldn’t be prouder to see how far he’s come and we can’t wait to cheer him on.
Inspired by Dom’s story?
Message us to find out more about our online training programmes and build a structure that supports your own goals wherever you're heading next.
If you’ve got any questions, goals you’re working on, or you just want to check in, drop us a message or come and chat at a session.
Until next time. Stay safe, swim smart and we’ll see you in the water.
Have a good one 👍
– Jason
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