Paweł Lewicki: From English Teacher to TI Coach

Paweł Lewicki is a remarkable figure — for over 20 years a Total Immersion pioneer in Poland, a coach, triathlete, and someone for whom every movement in the water carries meaning. He completed his coaching certification in January 2003 in Coral Springs, Florida, trained by Terry Laughlin himself, the creator of Total Immersion. Since then, he has led hundreds of workshops and camps across the country.

He is also Vimo's first official ambassador — a natural fit, because his coaching philosophy and Vimo's rhythm-based design point in the same direction: efficiency, awareness, and harmonious flow.

Beginnings

Before becoming a TI coach, what did you do — and when did your swimming adventure begin?

My history with swimming is, in a way, a story of searching — searching for effectiveness, for harmony in movement, for simplicity. By education, I'm an English teacher. I taught in schools for many years, and because all my teaching materials were in English, the language helped me reach original information about swimming. I had a job, stability, a path… and yet swimming tugged at me more strongly. It was a gateway to something greater — to refining movement in water, to a harmonious, powerful yet light version of swimming.

That's how I encountered the Total Immersion method, quite by accident. A colleague showed me several articles by Terry Laughlin, and it was a breakthrough. I suddenly understood that swimming is more than strong arm movements or powerful kicks — it's about balance, awareness, and flow. I got drawn in, ordered books, films, all the materials. A transformation occurred.

Eventually, I decided to learn from Terry in the USA myself. It was an expedition that changed my path forever — visas, a long journey, culture shock — but worth every step. Terry showed me a completely different approach: swimming based on awareness, balance, and control. I overcame my own limitations, and right after, I decided to share this method.

What captivated me about TI

Swimming stopped being a struggle with the water and became a search for harmonious flow.

It's not about strength or power, but about movement effectiveness. I don't swim on the principle of "tire myself out" — I swim like a dolphin: smoothly, effectively, without jerking. You can learn this kind of swimming at almost any age. You don't need to be a former athlete or a strong swimmer.

As I often say: swimming is an art, and the instructor's role is to show how to find yourself in it. That's why in TI we work from the basics — balance, streamlining, movement awareness — and only then breathing, power, or tempo. It's not about racing through the pool against the clock; it's about refining your own effectiveness in the water.

The TI Method in Triathlon and Open Water

Many triathletes look for a way to swim effectively — one that leaves them with energy for the bike and the run. TI works perfectly here, because it teaches economical, efficient, and effective swimming. You don't come out of the water exhausted — you come out in good shape, ready for the next stages. As I often say: swimming in triathlon is a gateway. The less you tire yourself in it, the more energy you preserve for the rest.

Open Water — a broader horizon. Why do you love swimming in open water?

Because it gives freedom, contact with nature, perspective. You're not confined within four walls of a pool. You can swim out into a lake or the sea — you absorb the space, the sound of the water, the rhythm of your breathing.

Open Water requires a different approach — a swimmer who is strong in the pool often gets lost in a lake. That's why at our workshops in Kashubia and during camps we show how to navigate effectively, swim in a group, manage breathing, and hold a straight course even when the water moves and visibility drops.

Swimming Camps — A Chance for Change

Tell us who you recommend such a camp to.

We organize swimming trips where, in an intimate atmosphere, we refine technique, water awareness, and effectiveness. We don't require anyone to be a swimming master. Some come with only basic pool experience behind them. The key is the desire to learn, openness, and a bit of humility. Some conquer their first open-water swim with us; others refine navigation or breath management. These trips show how effective TI is when implemented step by step.

Beyond your love of swimming, what other interests do you have?

Swimming is my whole life, but I also like to read, to learn languages (Spanish), and to play the keyboard. It calms me down and gives me balance. I wouldn't trade swimming for anything else — it gives joy, strength, and at the same time humility. I never had a moment when I wanted to quit. It's a lifelong passion.

Goals and Dreams

What are your goals and dreams as a coach?

My dream is to effectively reach as many people as possible — so that swimming brings joy and is, at the same time, efficient, regardless of age or fitness. The TI method itself keeps evolving: we've introduced simplifications, like easing back on powerful leg work in favor of whole-body balance.

As we say: swimming is refining movement, seeking harmony — and water then becomes an ally. I'm a teacher, an instructor, a passionate swimmer. My role is to show how swimming, even over longer distances, can be light, effective, and full of joy. It's not about power or struggling with the water. It's about awareness, refining movement, and seeking harmony. Like water itself — you must listen to it, and then swimming becomes art.

Paweł Lewicki is more than just an instructor. He's a coach with a calling, who sees potential in swimmers even when they doubt it themselves — a mentor who leads, inspires, and motivates, showing step by step how to overcome weaknesses, refine technique, and rediscover the joy of swimming. His approach combines technique, body awareness, and respect for the water with genuine care for the person and their goals.

If you're looking for someone who will give you wings in the water, teach you to swim effectively and effortlessly, and infect you with passion — Paweł Lewicki is a wonderful guide on this journey.

Interview conducted by Agata Smenżyk, originally published in Polish on the Total Immersion Kraków blog on 22 June 2025. Translated and republished with permission.