Starting the Year Right: Starting Right Through Consistency

Starting the Year Right: Starting Right Through Consistency

Every January, the pool feels the same — cool water, quiet mornings — but the energy is different.

Everyone wants to start the year fast. Yet, after decades of coaching (and swimming myself), I’ve realized one truth: the fastest swimmers aren’t the ones who start the year the hardest, but the ones who stay most consistent.

A Story from the Deck

Last December, while most kids were on holiday breaks and family trips, I had one swimmer  — who showed up to almost every holiday session. No drama, no shortcuts — just quiet, deliberate work. She told me, “Coach, lets start getting ready NOW! There isnt much time if we start in January”

When January rolled around for the Singapore Swim Series, her effort showed. Her strokes looked calmer, her turns sharper, and she carried a sense of rhythm that only comes from consistent practice. She set personal bests in every race — but most importantly, she was race-ready. And that readiness became her biggest advantage for the rest of the season.

“Winning rewards the swimmer who keeps showing up — especially when no one else is watching.”

That’s what I see every year. The swimmers who stay consistent through holidays — who keep that quiet discipline when the pool is half empty — always begin the season with a stronger rhythm, sharper technique, and calmer confidence.

My Own Lesson as an Athlete

During my racing days, I used to look forward to the November and December break as much as anyone.I’d travel, spend time with family, and recharge — but I’d always make sure to sneak in a few sessions here and there.

Some mornings I’d swim at a local pool, other days I’d just do light dry-land, mobility, or even a short stretch in the ocean.

It wasn’t about grinding through the holidays — it was about keeping my body connected to the water. By the time January rolled around, I wasn’t starting from zero; I was already in rhythm.

That habit made all the difference.Even a small bit of movement — 20 minutes here, a short swim there — helped me keep that “feel for the water.”It’s a mindset I try to pass on to my swimmers today: you can rest, travel, and enjoy your break — just don’t disconnect completely.

How to Start the Year Strong

• Plan consistency, not perfection. You don’t need to hit every session — but keeping the rhythm matters. Even two or three light swims a week over the holidays can make January training smoother.

  
  

• Stay connected to the water. Whether it’s a short swim, or 20 minutes of dry-land, keeping that body awareness alive helps retain your feel for the water.

  
  

• Keep sleep regular. Early mornings demand early nights — but even during breaks, maintaining a steady sleep routine helps your body stay ready for training.

  
  

• Listen to your body. Good rhythm feels calm and controlled, not forced. Notice when you’re gliding versus when you’re muscling through the water.

  
  

• Use early races as calibration. The first meets (like the Singapore Swim Series) aren’t about chasing PBs — they’re about checking how your base training and holiday rhythm have set you up for the season ahead.

Final Reflection

Consistency doesn’t look exciting — but it’s the most powerful thing you can build in swimming.Every lap you put in this month is an investment that matures when it matters most — during the National Age Group Championships in March and the National School Championships in April.

Swimmers often think of January as the warm-up to the season, but in reality, it’s the foundation.The habits built now — showing up, holding your line through fatigue, sleeping well, and recovering smart — form the base layer that everything else stacks on. By the time race season hits, those who trained consistently don’t have to “catch up.” Their bodies are already tuned, their strokes already patterned, and their confidence already built through hundreds of quiet, disciplined laps.

That’s how champions prepare. They don’t rely on luck or a few good weeks — they build momentum brick by brick, session by session, season by season.

So as the year begins, remind yourself: Your March medals and April personal bests are already being written today — one calm, consistent swim at a time. Good luck. We start the season. Now.