Torpedo Swimtalk Podcast with Paul Blackbeard - Champion Masters Swimmer in the pool and in the ocean

Today's guest is one of the greatest "Watermen" the world has seen - Paul Blackbeard.

Paul competes in masters pool swimming, open water racing, pool lifesaving and surf lifesaving.  He sails, he meditates, he holds world records, he swims the Rottnest Island swim each year, he holds Triple Springbok Colours and he has the title of being in the top 50 "Watermen" in the world .  Whats's a Waterman you may ask?  We discuss all of that and more.

Zambian born, South African raised and now residing in Perth, Australia, we chat about Paul's lifelong relationship with the water.  As a South African National Champion many times over in the mid to late 70's, Paul would have definitely swum at the Olympics if not for the IOC boycott due to apartheid. How did he cope with that disappointment?  With positivity and new goals is how!

Not many 63 year olds can still do 100x100's on a 1:30 time cycle and and still break a minute in a 100 freestyle race. What type of training does he do; how often does he train and why is he so successful? Paul is a leader in our masters swimming community, and even founded the South African Masters Swimming Association. We covered a lot of ground in this episode and there was so much more to discuss.  Part 2 may be on the cards!

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