The tech smart swimmer

How technology is transforming your time in the pool, by swimming coach Nicola Butler

Technology has quietly slipped beneath the surface of the swimming world. What used to be a simple lane‑to‑lane grind is now a data‑rich, feedback‑driven, highly personalised training environment, even within a pair of goggles! Whether you’re a competitive athlete or someone who simply loves the rhythm of the water and swimming for fitness, tech can help elevate your pool time from ‘just a swim’ to a smart, structured, and motivating experience. Swimmers can use tech to train smarter, recover better, and enjoy the water in entirely new ways.

Smart pool environments : the future of aquatic training

Endless pools and video analysis poolside – (a typically a session can start in the range of £125+)

These endless pools create a constant current that you swim against, allowing for:

• Controlled pace work
• Technique filming from multiple angles
• Highly efficient training in small spaces
• Coaches’ analysis and feedback
• AI powered apps that analyse stroke mechanics
• Slow motion and split-screen comparison tools

Most swimmers think they know what their stroke looks like. Video shows the truth. A dropped elbow, a late breath, a crossover – these tiny inefficiencies become obvious when viewed in slow motion. Coaches can now correct technique in real time, and swimmers can visually track their improvements.

Underwater audio : motivation that moves with you

Music in the pool used to be impossible. Now, bone‑conduction headphones and waterproof MP3 players let swimmers bring playlists, podcasts, or guided workouts into the water.

How it helps

• Keeps long aerobic sets mentally engaging
• Helps maintain rhythm and tempo
• Supports mindfulness and relaxation sessions
• Makes solo training feel less solitary

For many swimmers, underwater audio transforms the pool from a silent grind into a personal performance space. These headphones are often popular for long distance swimmers who are training for a long-distance event or who simply struggle for a bit of self-motivation in a pool environment.

Wearable tech: your personal coach in the water

Smartwatches and swim trackers (that also link to training apps)

Modern wearables, such as Garmin Swim, Apple Watch, and other waterproof trackers, have become indispensable tools for swimmers. They automatically record:

• Stroke count and stroke rate
• SWOLF (a measure of stroke efficiency)
• Pace per 25m/50m
• Heart rate (even underwater)
• Distance and rest intervals
• Link to training apps such as Openswim, catch, Myswimpro

This data gives swimmers a level of insight that used to be reserved for elite programmes with dedicated analysts. You can finish a session and instantly, see where your technique slipped, where you fatigued, and where you were flying. They have multiple functions to suit the user type and are fairly accurate when it comes to the finer details. Smartwatches are only getting better, too, and they link effectively with modern training apps to deliver sessions straight to your watch. Wearables turn every session into measurable progress. Instead of guessing whether you’re improving, you can see it in numbers, graphs, and trends. However, if all technology fails during a session – there is always the trusty clock on the wall to keep your sets on track!

The human element : tech enhances, not replaces

Technology can elevate your swimming, but it doesn’t replace the fundamentals:

• Good coaching
• Consistent training
• Quality technique
• Listening to your body

Remember – tech is the assistant, you’re still the athlete. Swimming has always been a sport of feel – the glide, the catch, the rhythm. Technology doesn’t take that away. Instead, it enhances your understanding of it. It gives you tools to refine yourself, stay motivated, and train with purpose.

Top tip ! Using your Garmin effectively in the pool

The absolute top tip for using your Garmin in the pool is to always double-check that your pool size is set correctly before you start swimming. Your watch doesn’t use GPS indoors, instead, it relies on internal sensors that count a length based on your turns. Also, a common issue solved…

Use “Drill Mode” for kick sets

If you are doing drills or kickboard sets where your arms aren’t moving, the watch won’t record your distance accurately.

How to use it: Scroll down to the Drill Log screen, follow the prompts, and manually type in your distance after the drill segment.