[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":884},["ShallowReactive",2],{"navigation":3,"\u002Fblog\u002Fswim-well-how-passion-for-water-changes-adult-life":60,"\u002Fblog\u002Fswim-well-how-passion-for-water-changes-adult-life-surround":234,"\u002Fblog\u002Fswim-well-how-passion-for-water-changes-adult-life-related":245},[4,28],{"title":5,"path":6,"stem":7,"children":8,"icon":27},"Getting Started","\u002Fdocs\u002Fgetting-started","en\u002F1.docs\u002F1.getting-started\u002F1.index",[9,12,17,22],{"title":10,"path":6,"stem":7,"icon":11,"children":-1},"Introduction","i-lucide-house",{"title":13,"path":14,"stem":15,"icon":16,"children":-1},"Hardware Specifications","\u002Fdocs\u002Fgetting-started\u002Finstallation","en\u002F1.docs\u002F1.getting-started\u002F2.installation","i-lucide-cpu",{"title":18,"path":19,"stem":20,"icon":21,"children":-1},"Quick Start Guide","\u002Fdocs\u002Fgetting-started\u002Fquick-start","en\u002F1.docs\u002F1.getting-started\u002F2.quick-start","i-lucide-rocket",{"title":23,"path":24,"stem":25,"icon":26,"children":-1},"Training Programs","\u002Fdocs\u002Fgetting-started\u002Fusage","en\u002F1.docs\u002F1.getting-started\u002F3.usage","i-lucide-activity",false,{"title":29,"path":30,"stem":31,"children":32,"icon":34},"Essentials","\u002Fdocs\u002Fessentials","en\u002F1.docs\u002F2.essentials\u002F0.index",[33,35,40,45,50,55],{"title":29,"path":30,"stem":31,"icon":34,"children":-1},"i-lucide-settings",{"title":36,"path":37,"stem":38,"icon":39,"children":-1},"Features Overview","\u002Fdocs\u002Fessentials\u002Ffeatures","en\u002F1.docs\u002F2.essentials\u002F1.features","i-lucide-star",{"title":41,"path":42,"stem":43,"icon":44,"children":-1},"Mobile App","\u002Fdocs\u002Fessentials\u002Fmobile-app","en\u002F1.docs\u002F2.essentials\u002F2.mobile-app","i-lucide-smartphone",{"title":46,"path":47,"stem":48,"icon":49,"children":-1},"ANT+ Integration","\u002Fdocs\u002Fessentials\u002Fant-integration","en\u002F1.docs\u002F2.essentials\u002F3.ant-integration","i-lucide-radio",{"title":51,"path":52,"stem":53,"icon":54,"children":-1},"Troubleshooting","\u002Fdocs\u002Fessentials\u002Ftroubleshooting","en\u002F1.docs\u002F2.essentials\u002F4.troubleshooting","i-lucide-help-circle",{"title":56,"path":57,"stem":58,"icon":59,"children":-1},"Firmware Update","\u002Fdocs\u002Fessentials\u002Ffirmware-update","en\u002F1.docs\u002F2.essentials\u002F5.firmware-update","i-lucide-download",{"id":61,"title":62,"authors":63,"badge":70,"body":73,"date":223,"description":224,"extension":225,"image":226,"meta":227,"navigation":228,"path":229,"seo":230,"stem":232,"__hash__":233},"posts\u002Fen\u002F3.blog\u002F41.swim-well-how-passion-for-water-changes-adult-life.md","Swim Well: How a Passion for Water Changes Adult Life",[64],{"name":65,"to":66,"avatar":67,"jobTitle":69},"Mariusz Smenżyk","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fmariusz-smenzyk\u002F",{"src":68},"\u002Fimages\u002Fmariusz-smenzyk.webp","Founder, Engineering & TI Coach",{"label":71,"color":72},"Stories","warning",{"type":74,"value":75,"toc":211},"minimark",[76,80,87,90,95,98,101,104,108,111,114,118,121,125,128,131,134,138,141,144,147,150,154,157,179,183,186,189,193,196,199,202],[77,78,79],"p",{},"There is a particular kind of person who comes to swimming late. They are adults, often busy with careers and families, who one day decide that the water no longer has to feel like a struggle. Aleksander Ryszka is one of those people who turned that quiet decision into a calling. A musician, composer, radio producer, and freediver, he is also a Total Immersion coach from Rybnik who helps adults reach a dream many thought was out of their league: a smooth, effortless front crawl.",[77,81,82],{},[83,84],"img",{"alt":85,"src":86},"Swim Well: a passion for water","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fswim-well-adult-life.webp",[77,88,89],{},"His brand, \"Pływaj Dobrze\" (Swim Well), grew out of a simple need to share what he loves. We sat down with him to talk about an unusual path into the world of water, and why, for him, swimming has always been about much more than sport.",[91,92,94],"h2",{"id":93},"from-sound-to-water","From Sound to Water",[77,96,97],{},"By training, Aleksander is a musician. For years he has worked in sound production, mostly in radio advertising, where rhythm and timing are everything. Swimming, meanwhile, was the passion running quietly underneath, and over time it began to take up more and more of his life.",[77,99,100],{},"\"Pływaj Dobrze was born from the need to share that passion,\" he says, \"especially with adults who often don't know where to start.\" That last part matters. Plenty of people learn to swim as children, then carry their childhood habits into adulthood without ever questioning them. Aleksander wanted to give grown-ups a real starting point.",[77,102,103],{},"When he asks himself why he chose Total Immersion as his method, the answer is practical. \"It teaches you to swim with your head, both literally and figuratively.\" Front crawl had always felt like the most natural stroke to him, and when he started teaching others, TI was the obvious choice. It delivers results even for people beginning from absolute zero.",[91,105,107],{"id":106},"breathing-is-the-foundation","Breathing Is the Foundation",[77,109,110],{},"Ask Aleksander where good swimming begins and he will point to the breath. Without breath control, he argues, there is no control over the body. In Total Immersion, swimmers learn calm, conscious breathing, which lowers stress and frees the mind to manage technique.",[77,112,113],{},"That calm does not arrive on its own. It rests on solid fundamentals: balance in the water, a streamlined body line, and efficient work from the arms and legs. Get those right and swimming starts to feel lighter, and a great deal more enjoyable.",[91,115,117],{"id":116},"freediving-a-lesson-in-calm","Freediving, a Lesson in Calm",[77,119,120],{},"Aleksander's relationship with water runs deeper than the pool. Freediving taught him patience. It is not a sport built on strength but on trust, trust in your own body and your own breath. What he looks for there is the same thing he looks for everywhere in the water: stillness, economy of movement, and lightness. Those values speak to the coach and the swimmer in equal measure.",[91,122,124],{"id":123},"from-recreation-to-mindful-movement","From Recreation to Mindful Movement",[77,126,127],{},"His own swimming did not begin with technique. As a child he swam \"his own way,\" the way most of us do. The shift came in adulthood, prompted by a very human goal: he wanted to teach his son to swim.",[77,129,130],{},"So he started learning technique consciously, watching better swimmers and working to reach their level. \"When I discovered TI, I knew it was my path.\" That moment of recognition is one many adult swimmers will know, the point where curiosity quietly becomes commitment.",[77,132,133],{},"These days he shares technical tips on his YouTube channel, posting when he can rather than on a strict schedule. His goal is to reach people who train above their actual level without realising it. Everyone, he insists, regardless of skill, can learn something new.",[91,135,137],{"id":136},"camps-crossings-and-open-water","Camps, Crossings, and Open Water",[77,139,140],{},"Aleksander does not swim in isolation. He met fellow coach Paweł Lewicki on a Total Immersion course, and the two clicked immediately. Today they run open water camps together. \"Paweł has passed on a tremendous amount of knowledge,\" he says, \"and every conversation with him pushes me to keep growing.\"",[77,142,143],{},"The summer camps are intense but deeply rewarding. Most of the time is spent in the water, analysing technique, planning sessions, and teaching the skills open water demands: navigation, adapting to natural conditions, and above all safety.",[77,145,146],{},"His own open water story grew out of freediving, which itself began with a small ambition, to swim the length of a pool underwater. That led to competitions, training trips to Zakrzówek and Egypt, and eventually to a deep fascination with depth itself. He swam at the World Championships in Belgrade in 2013 and took the Polish Vice-Championship in 2014. Yet he is quick to put medals in their place. \"I swim for myself,\" he says. Since 2016 he has taken part in marathons, but the point has always been to become a better swimmer, not to collect results.",[77,148,149],{},"What thrills him most are the crossings, swimming from one shore of a lake to the other. It is part adventure, part communion with nature, and it captures everything he values about being in the water.",[91,151,153],{"id":152},"tips-for-open-water-beginners","Tips for Open Water Beginners",[77,155,156],{},"For anyone tempted to leave the pool behind, Aleksander offers a grounded checklist:",[158,159,160,164,167,170,173,176],"ul",{},[161,162,163],"li",{},"Assess your abilities honestly. As a rough rule, divide your pool skills by four.",[161,165,166],{},"Before a longer swim, build up to at least 1.5 km of continuous pool swimming.",[161,168,169],{},"Never swim alone. A safety escort is essential.",[161,171,172],{},"A swim buoy is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is simply safety.",[161,174,175],{},"Choose calm water, free of motorboats.",[161,177,178],{},"Respect nature. If conditions are bad, do not swim.",[91,180,182],{"id":181},"rhythm-for-the-aware-swimmer","Rhythm for the Aware Swimmer",[77,184,185],{},"For intermediate and advanced swimmers, Aleksander reaches for a tool many beginners overlook: a swimming metronome. He uses one regularly to work on rhythm, and he is candid about wishing the market offered more choice.",[77,187,188],{},"What does he want from an ideal device? Three things. Simplicity, so you can change parameters quickly without wrestling a complicated menu. Portability, so it clips easily onto goggle straps or slides under a swim cap. And durability, with long battery life and real resistance to pool conditions. \"It's not a gadget,\" he says. \"It's genuine support for mindful swimming.\"",[91,190,192],{"id":191},"swimming-is-more-than-a-sport","Swimming Is More Than a Sport",[77,194,195],{},"Back in Rybnik, Aleksander runs regular Total Immersion courses focused on front crawl fundamentals, with a new edition each month and individual lessons for everyone from nervous beginners to seasoned swimmers. The emphasis is always on independent practice, on giving people the tools to keep improving on their own.",[77,197,198],{},"Press him on what swimming really means and the answer turns inward. For him, swimming and freediving are a form of self-discovery, a way of being fully present, here and now. Not for medals, but for calm, for joy, for lightness.",[77,200,201],{},"Whether you are a complete beginner, a quiet dreamer, a triathlete, or someone drawn to the deep, his story carries a simple invitation: to swim well, and not only in the technical sense. To swim well in life.",[77,203,204,205,210],{},"If his approach to rhythm and calm resonates with you, we would love your help shaping a tool built for exactly this kind of mindful swimming. ",[206,207,209],"a",{"href":208},"\u002Freserve","Reserve yours"," and help us get it right.",{"title":212,"searchDepth":213,"depth":213,"links":214},"",2,[215,216,217,218,219,220,221,222],{"id":93,"depth":213,"text":94},{"id":106,"depth":213,"text":107},{"id":116,"depth":213,"text":117},{"id":123,"depth":213,"text":124},{"id":136,"depth":213,"text":137},{"id":152,"depth":213,"text":153},{"id":181,"depth":213,"text":182},{"id":191,"depth":213,"text":192},"2025-05-27","How adults rediscover swimming through Total Immersion, and how a musician and freediver turned a passion for water into a calmer life.","md",{"src":86},{},true,"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fswim-well-how-passion-for-water-changes-adult-life",{"title":231,"description":224},"Swim Well: How Water Changes Adult Life","en\u002F3.blog\u002F41.swim-well-how-passion-for-water-changes-adult-life","gK8j55Pj0ws29xMMkt8_ORiH2uz89ejHJC62R_yasUI",[235,240],{"title":236,"path":237,"stem":238,"description":239,"children":-1},"Between Water and Air: The Story of Daniel Bobrowski","\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fbetween-water-and-air-the-story-of-daniel-bobrowski","en\u002F3.blog\u002F40.between-water-and-air-the-story-of-daniel-bobrowski","Meet Daniel Bobrowski: soldier, paratrooper, and Total Immersion coach who teaches adults to swim with calm, balance, and military precision.",{"title":241,"path":242,"stem":243,"description":244,"children":-1},"Vital Flow: Swimming, Mountains, and Passion. An Interview with Kamil Łęczycki","\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fvital-flow-swimming-mountains-and-passion-interview-with-kamil-leczycki","en\u002F3.blog\u002F42.vital-flow-swimming-mountains-and-passion-interview-with-kamil-leczycki","Kamil Łęczycki, founder of Vital Flow in Nowy Sącz, on swimming, nutrition, and chasing the Seven Summits after standing on top of Kilimanjaro.",[246,429,560,762],{"id":247,"title":248,"authors":249,"badge":255,"body":256,"date":418,"description":419,"extension":225,"image":420,"meta":421,"navigation":228,"path":422,"seo":423,"stem":426,"__hash__":427,"score":428},"posts\u002Fen\u002F3.blog\u002F31.pawel-lewicki-total-immersion-pioneer.md","Paweł Lewicki: From English Teacher to TI Coach",[250],{"name":251,"to":252,"avatar":253},"Agata Smenżyk","\u002Fblog",{"src":254},"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fpawel-lewicki-avatar.webp",{"label":71,"color":72},{"type":74,"value":257,"toc":411},[258,274,281,287,291,296,299,302,305,309,315,318,325,329,336,341,344,347,351,356,363,368,371,375,380,383,386,389,395,398],[77,259,260,261,265,266,269,270,273],{},"Paweł Lewicki is a remarkable figure — for over 20 years a ",[262,263,264],"strong",{},"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 ",[262,267,268],{},"January 2003 in Coral Springs, Florida",", trained by ",[262,271,272],{},"Terry Laughlin himself",", the creator of Total Immersion. Since then, he has led hundreds of workshops and camps across the country.",[77,275,276,277,280],{},"He is also ",[262,278,279],{},"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.",[77,282,283],{},[83,284],{"alt":285,"src":286},"Paweł Lewicki — Total Immersion coach","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fpawel-lewicki-hero.webp",[91,288,290],{"id":289},"beginnings","Beginnings",[77,292,293],{},[262,294,295],{},"Before becoming a TI coach, what did you do — and when did your swimming adventure begin?",[77,297,298],{},"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.",[77,300,301],{},"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.",[77,303,304],{},"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.",[91,306,308],{"id":307},"what-captivated-me-about-ti","What captivated me about TI",[310,311,312],"blockquote",{},[77,313,314],{},"Swimming stopped being a struggle with the water and became a search for harmonious flow.",[77,316,317],{},"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.",[77,319,320,321,324],{},"As I often say: ",[262,322,323],{},"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.",[91,326,328],{"id":327},"the-ti-method-in-triathlon-and-open-water","The TI Method in Triathlon and Open Water",[77,330,331,332,335],{},"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 ",[262,333,334],{},"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.",[77,337,338],{},[262,339,340],{},"Open Water — a broader horizon. Why do you love swimming in open water?",[77,342,343],{},"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.",[77,345,346],{},"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.",[91,348,350],{"id":349},"swimming-camps-a-chance-for-change","Swimming Camps — A Chance for Change",[77,352,353],{},[262,354,355],{},"Tell us who you recommend such a camp to.",[77,357,358,359,362],{},"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 ",[262,360,361],{},"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.",[77,364,365],{},[262,366,367],{},"Beyond your love of swimming, what other interests do you have?",[77,369,370],{},"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.",[91,372,374],{"id":373},"goals-and-dreams","Goals and Dreams",[77,376,377],{},[262,378,379],{},"What are your goals and dreams as a coach?",[77,381,382],{},"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.",[77,384,385],{},"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.",[387,388],"hr",{},[77,390,391,394],{},[262,392,393],{},"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.",[77,396,397],{},"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.",[77,399,400],{},[401,402,403,404,410],"em",{},"Interview conducted by Agata Smenżyk, originally published in Polish on the ",[206,405,409],{"href":406,"rel":407},"https:\u002F\u002Fkrakow.totalimmersion.pl\u002Fblog\u002Fpawel-lewicki-od-nauczyciela-jezyka-angielskiego-do-wybitnego-trenera",[408],"nofollow","Total Immersion Kraków blog"," on 22 June 2025. Translated and republished with permission.",{"title":212,"searchDepth":213,"depth":213,"links":412},[413,414,415,416,417],{"id":289,"depth":213,"text":290},{"id":307,"depth":213,"text":308},{"id":327,"depth":213,"text":328},{"id":349,"depth":213,"text":350},{"id":373,"depth":213,"text":374},"2026-05-18","An interview with Paweł Lewicki — Vimo's first ambassador, Total Immersion pioneer in Poland, and a coach trained directly by Terry Laughlin in 2003.",{"src":286},{},"\u002Fblog\u002Fpawel-lewicki-total-immersion-pioneer",{"title":424,"description":425},"Paweł Lewicki — Total Immersion Pioneer & Vimo Ambassador","Meet Paweł Lewicki: 20+ years coaching Total Immersion in Poland, certified by Terry Laughlin himself. From English teacher to swimming coach with a calling.","en\u002F3.blog\u002F31.pawel-lewicki-total-immersion-pioneer","4wdMVKi1AVTNd5FdGdz4e299-a8_XqTk3OGpHdYRg24",1,{"id":430,"title":431,"authors":432,"badge":438,"body":439,"date":551,"description":552,"extension":225,"image":553,"meta":554,"navigation":228,"path":555,"seo":556,"stem":558,"__hash__":559,"score":428},"posts\u002Fen\u002F3.blog\u002F30.istvan-perge-open-water-swimming-story.md","From Self-Taught Swimmer to Open Water Podiums — Istvan's Story",[433],{"name":434,"avatar":435,"jobTitle":437},"Éva Székely",{"src":436},"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-perge-avatar.webp","Story by Éva Székely",{"label":71,"color":72},{"type":74,"value":440,"toc":545},[441,444,450,453,456,460,463,466,472,475,478,481,485,488,494,497,503,507,510,516,520,523,529,532,538,540],[77,442,443],{},"Growing up, physical activity was always a huge part of my life, but I didn't take up swimming until fairly late. As a child, I didn't have the opportunity to learn to swim, and I didn't venture into deep water until I was 14, by which time I could swim breaststroke. I've always loved a challenge: when I swam across Lake Balaton at age 21, my goal was simply to make it back to shore alive, since I'd probably never swum that far in my life before (it took me nearly 4 hours to cover 5.2 km), so swimming still wasn't really my sport.",[77,445,446],{},[83,447],{"alt":448,"src":449},"Istvan racing at Tatai lake crossing","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-tatai-action.webp",[77,451,452],{},"A few years later, however, I was captivated by the difficulty of a triathlon competition; I developed a taste for swimming and was practically forced to practice freestyle in addition to breaststroke. I started as a self-taught swimmer; I didn't have the opportunity to see a coach, so I tried what I saw others doing in the water and filled in the theoretical part from books. Due to these shortcomings, I couldn't swim distances longer than 800–1,000 meters without stopping.",[77,454,455],{},"Soon after, other things pushed the sport into the background, and a 16-year hiatus followed.",[91,457,459],{"id":458},"finding-total-immersion","Finding Total Immersion",[77,461,462],{},"Then, at age 42, I managed to find my way back to the pool, and for the past 13 years, swimming has become a defining part of my life. I practiced diligently, and within a few months of starting, I reached the point where I could swim 1 km in freestyle after my initial one lap.",[77,464,465],{},"Instead of books, I turned to the internet to find solutions on how to swim more efficiently so I wouldn't have to take breaks due to fatigue. Thanks to this, I quickly found the Total Immersion method on YouTube. I was fascinated by the effortless movement I saw in Shinji Takeuchi, for example — his arms and legs barely moved, yet he glided through the water for a long time. Just like a fish!",[77,467,468],{},[83,469],{"alt":470,"src":471},"Istvan swimming in open water — freestyle stroke","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-swimming-stroke.webp",[77,473,474],{},"After that, I tried to practice this. Since this kind of training wasn't available in Hungary, I corrected my mistakes using video recordings I made of myself based on what I found on YouTube.",[77,476,477],{},"At first, I didn't aim to increase my speed but just to \"swim beautifully and fast.\" Over time, my speed began to improve as well, and this progress provided further motivation. I set goals for myself, such as completing the classic 5,200-meter swim across Lake Balaton using only freestyle, and then, once I succeeded in that, completing the distance in under 1 hour and 45 minutes (though this had been unattainable for me for many years).",[77,479,480],{},"Since September 2022, I no longer swim alone; I've joined the swim training sessions of a triathlon club. This has minimally improved my performance, and the training sessions have become much more enjoyable.",[91,482,484],{"id":483},"open-water-racing","Open Water Racing",[77,486,487],{},"During the open-water season in the summer, I tried to compete in as many amateur races as possible, first in domestic waters, and later in neighboring or more easily accessible European countries. Due to my lack of a swimming background as a child, it would have been pointless to compete against senior (masters) swimmers my age in pool events over shorter distances; however, in open-water races, I've sometimes even managed to make it onto the age-group podium.",[77,489,490],{},[83,491],{"alt":492,"src":493},"Istvan on the podium at X-Waters Turkiye, Alanya 2024","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-xwaters-podium.webp",[77,495,496],{},"I try to compete in the longest distances possible; there are many races held over 3- and 5-kilometer distances, but I've also competed in 6.5- and 10-kilometer races. Outside of the season, there are increasingly more swimming competitions in Hungary where you have to swim for 6 or 10 hours; so far, I've swum these with my friends, but I hope that sooner or later I'll be able to complete the 6-hour duration on my own.",[77,498,499],{},[83,500],{"alt":501,"src":502},"Istvan winning gold at Tisza-To crossing","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-tisza-to-podium.webp",[91,504,506],{"id":505},"the-ti-course-breakthrough","The TI Course Breakthrough",[77,508,509],{},"The two-day beginner TI course organized with Pawel in Hungary in 2025 marked a noticeable leap in my performance: even before that, I was aware that it's not just the time measured by the stopwatch that counts, but that I should strive to reduce my pace per length, as this also signifies improvement. Those two days taught me what to focus on in the water, and when I succeeded, it showed in a decrease in my pace per length and later on the stopwatch as well. That summer, I not only achieved my goal but swam the Lake Balaton crossing 5 minutes faster than the 1 hour 45 minutes I had set as my target.",[77,511,512],{},[83,513],{"alt":514,"src":515},"Istvan finishing an Endurace open water race","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-endurace-finish.webp",[91,517,519],{"id":518},"discovering-vimo","Discovering Vimo",[77,521,522],{},"I've been using technological innovations, such as the smartwatch, for a long time during my swims; the information it provides makes it easier to track performance, record actual open-water distances, or log workouts. I was delighted to hear that Pawel will be bringing a Vimo (formerly VimoSwim) to the 2026 advanced TI course in Hungary, and that its innovator, Mariusz, will also be present. Since I'm open to using swimming-related devices, I welcomed this new development with interest; in my opinion, using one would help improve my swimming performance.",[77,524,525],{},[83,526],{"alt":527,"src":528},"Istvan on the Endurace podium — first place","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-endurace-podium.webp",[77,530,531],{},"The time that has passed since then has proven that it was worth my while to participate in this advanced workshop: although I had a four-month hiatus in the fall due to an injury, in the two weeks following the course I swam times that were better than some of my previous personal records.",[77,533,534],{},[83,535],{"alt":536,"src":537},"Istvan swimming at Tatai lake","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-tatai-swimming.webp",[387,539],{},[77,541,542],{},[401,543,544],{},"Story by Éva Székely. Istvan Perge is a Hungarian open water swimmer, Total Immersion practitioner, and Vimo beta tester. He competes in endurance open water events across Europe. Photos courtesy of Istvan Perge.",{"title":212,"searchDepth":213,"depth":213,"links":546},[547,548,549,550],{"id":458,"depth":213,"text":459},{"id":483,"depth":213,"text":484},{"id":505,"depth":213,"text":506},{"id":518,"depth":213,"text":519},"2026-04-30","Istvan Perge didn't learn to swim until he was 14. Now he wins age-group podiums at X-Waters, crosses Lake Balaton, and trains with Total Immersion. Here's his journey.",{"src":471},{},"\u002Fblog\u002Fistvan-perge-open-water-swimming-story",{"title":557,"description":552},"Istvan Perge: Self-Taught Open Water Swimmer","en\u002F3.blog\u002F30.istvan-perge-open-water-swimming-story","QeRe85Zv33wbHKtjo-9wHOvKIMmJBHy6-881ZomsDm4",{"id":561,"title":236,"authors":562,"badge":565,"body":566,"date":755,"description":239,"extension":225,"image":756,"meta":757,"navigation":228,"path":758,"seo":759,"stem":238,"__hash__":761,"score":428},"posts\u002Fen\u002F3.blog\u002F40.between-water-and-air-the-story-of-daniel-bobrowski.md",[563],{"name":65,"to":66,"avatar":564,"jobTitle":69},{"src":68},{"label":71,"color":72},{"type":74,"value":567,"toc":740},[568,571,577,581,584,589,592,596,599,602,606,609,612,615,619,622,625,628,631,635,638,641,645,648,651,655,658,661,665,668,671,675,678,681,685,688,691,695,698,701,705,708,711,715,724,727,730,732],[77,569,570],{},"Some people seem to belong to more than one element at once. Daniel Bobrowski is one of them. Water, air, mountains: he is at ease in all of them. He has been a soldier in airborne and special forces units, a parachute instructor, an expert at the State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation, and a Total Immersion coach. No single label captures him. What ties it all together is a rare blend of military precision, athletic drive, and genuine warmth toward the people he works with. This is his story, told mostly in his own words.",[77,572,573],{},[83,574],{"alt":575,"src":576},"Daniel Bobrowski","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fdaniel-bobrowski-story.webp",[91,578,580],{"id":579},"be-water-my-friend","Be water, my friend",[77,582,583],{},"There is a passage Daniel returns to again and again. It comes from Bruce Lee:",[310,585,586],{},[77,587,588],{},"Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water.\nYou put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.\nYou put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle.\nYou put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.\nNow water can flow or it can crash.\nBe water, my friend.",[77,590,591],{},"\"These words have inspired me for years,\" Daniel says. \"They remind me that it is not just about movement. It is about awareness, flexibility, balance, and understanding your own body and mind. Water can flow gently, or it can break a rock. It all depends on intention and attention. That is exactly how I work with people. I teach them swimming technique, yes, but also a different way of relating to themselves and to everything around them.\"",[91,593,595],{"id":594},"where-he-feels-most-himself","Where he feels most himself",[77,597,598],{},"\"Between water and air is where I feel most like me,\" he says. \"In the air, balance is everything. In the water, it is exactly the same.\"",[77,600,601],{},"For years Daniel jumped with a parachute. He trained and coached in wind tunnels. He ran through the mountains. Along the way he learned composure, breathing, and presence. Later, with the same precision, he came to the water. \"Today I know that 'be like water' is not just a metaphor,\" he says. \"It is a real, concrete skill. Moving lightly, consciously, with feel.\"",[91,603,605],{"id":604},"what-prepared-him-for-this-work","What prepared him for this work",[77,607,608],{},"Daniel's foundation is unusually broad. \"I graduated from the Academy of Physical Education, where I studied anatomy, anthropomotorics, biophysics, and human physiology, among other subjects,\" he says. He went on to work as a personal and medical trainer, combining knowledge from biomechanics, physiotherapy, and strength training. He was also an instructor of Krav Maga, the Israeli self-defense system.",[77,610,611],{},"\"All of that shaped a holistic approach,\" he explains. \"I do not see swimming as an isolated skill. I see the whole person.\"",[77,613,614],{},"Today he runs adult swimming courses in Bielsko-Biala and in the Kashubia region, along with open water camps in locations chosen for the experience of swimming in a natural setting.",[91,616,618],{"id":617},"it-started-with-an-injury","It started with an injury",[77,620,621],{},"Like many good stories, this one began in an unexpected place.",[77,623,624],{},"\"It started in the army,\" Daniel says. \"Swimming was one of the options in our fitness tests. After spinal injuries, I had to step back from some activities for a while, and water became my safe space.\"",[77,626,627],{},"But something nagged at him. \"Even when I swam fast, I always came out of the water exhausted. That feeling stayed with me. So I started looking for a better way.\"",[77,629,630],{},"That search led him to the Total Immersion method. \"When I learned that TI is also used by the Navy SEALs, it felt like no accident,\" he says. \"Their precision, their composure, the way they move through water: that was exactly what I had been looking for. It inspired me, and it changed how I swim forever.\"",[91,632,634],{"id":633},"the-beginnings-with-total-immersion","The beginnings with Total Immersion",[77,636,637],{},"\"On American websites I found something that really intrigued me,\" Daniel recalls. \"I went looking for someone teaching the method in Poland, and I came across Pawel Lewicki. After a few tries we managed to connect, and I went for training. That was in 2018.\"",[77,639,640],{},"From there he kept going. \"Since then I have been through all the stages. Level 0, 1, 2, Easy Speed, Open Water. I fell in love with the method. Today I coach others myself.\"",[91,642,644],{"id":643},"what-makes-the-method-different","What makes the method different",[77,646,647],{},"\"Total Immersion is conscious, logical, energy-efficient swimming,\" Daniel explains. \"It is a holistic approach. We do not just teach arm movements or leg kicks. We teach the whole body to move in harmony with the water. It is closer to dance or Tai Chi: light, logical, natural.\"",[77,649,650],{},"He likes a building-block image for it. \"We learn the way you assemble LEGO. Small elements that come together into a whole. The key is not strength. It is physics, balance, and mindfulness. That is what makes the method so friendly for adults, including complete beginners who want to learn front crawl or who simply want to overcome a fear of water.\"",[91,652,654],{"id":653},"what-the-courses-and-camps-look-like","What the courses and camps look like",[77,656,657],{},"\"We never throw anyone in at the deep end,\" Daniel says with a smile. \"We start with simple exercises and focus points, which are the real key to progress. We build new neural connections and teach the body correct movement patterns from scratch.\"",[77,659,660],{},"Classes are small and grouped by level. \"The goal is for a swimmer to understand their own movement,\" he says, \"not to follow mechanical commands.\"",[91,662,664],{"id":663},"how-the-air-carries-over-to-the-water","How the air carries over to the water",[77,666,667],{},"Does jumping from planes really help in a pool? Daniel does not hesitate.",[77,669,670],{},"\"Absolutely. In a wind tunnel and on a jump, you learn balance, concentration, and relaxation, exactly as you do in water. Water and air have a similar density once you know how to move through them. It is remarkable. That awareness comes into every lesson I teach. I try to show people how movement can be calm, conscious, and efficient.\"",[91,672,674],{"id":673},"on-fear","On fear",[77,676,677],{},"You might assume swimming and skydiving are reserved for the fearless. Daniel sees it the other way around.",[77,679,680],{},"\"Not at all. The people who are afraid are often the ones who gain the most,\" he says. \"I work with people who fear water or heights. And you know what? All they have to do is trust me. Well, and invite Newton and Archimedes into the water with us. We do the rest together, using the laws those two described. I teach breathing, calm, and composure. Then I watch people grow. That is the greatest reward I know.\"",[91,682,684],{"id":683},"what-keeps-him-going","What keeps him going",[77,686,687],{},"\"Meeting people. Training in water, air, and the mountains,\" he says. \"I love watching my students change, not only physically but mentally too.\"",[77,689,690],{},"And the dreams? \"I have plenty, and plenty of ideas still taking shape in my head. Above all, I want more people to understand that swimming does not have to be a struggle. For me, Total Immersion is not just a technique. It is a way of thinking and living.\"",[91,692,694],{"id":693},"the-bumblebee","The bumblebee",[77,696,697],{},"His philosophy has a name. \"In my work I follow Kaizen,\" Daniel says. \"Small daily steps that add up to big results. It is not about spectacular changes. It is about consistency and awareness.\"",[77,699,700],{},"That brings him to a favorite story. \"Think of the bumblebee. By the laws of aerodynamics, its wings are too small for it to fly. But it does not know that, so it simply flies. We are the same. As long as we do not talk ourselves out of it, we can do things that once seemed impossible. Do not dwell on limitations. Just act.\"",[91,702,704],{"id":703},"what-to-wish-him","What to wish him",[77,706,707],{},"So what should we wish a man like Daniel?",[77,709,710],{},"\"Health and peace,\" he laughs. \"But also that the peace does not get boring. A little adrenaline keeps me well-preserved.\"",[91,712,714],{"id":713},"where-to-find-him","Where to find him",[77,716,717,718,723],{},"You can learn more about Daniel's work and courses at ",[206,719,722],{"href":720,"rel":721},"https:\u002F\u002Fplywajlogicznie.pl",[408],"plywajlogicznie.pl",". He is on Instagram as @danielbobrowski_totalimmersion, and on LinkedIn as Daniel Bobrowski.",[77,725,726],{},"Daniel lives life to the fullest. He rarely stops moving, yet he holds deep respect for nature, for people, and for himself. He inspires, he shares his passion freely, and he is always chasing the next challenge. It all flows from one source: an understanding of movement and a respect for the elements, air and water alike.",[77,728,729],{},"These are the people worth knowing. The ones you want to jump, run, and swim alongside.",[387,731],{},[77,733,734,735,739],{},"Daniel's story is a reminder that good swimming is quiet, conscious, and rhythmic, not a fight against the water. That same belief is why we built VimoSwim. If it resonates with you, read ",[206,736,738],{"href":737},"\u002Fabout-us","the VimoSwim story"," and see where we are heading.",{"title":212,"searchDepth":213,"depth":213,"links":741},[742,743,744,745,746,747,748,749,750,751,752,753,754],{"id":579,"depth":213,"text":580},{"id":594,"depth":213,"text":595},{"id":604,"depth":213,"text":605},{"id":617,"depth":213,"text":618},{"id":633,"depth":213,"text":634},{"id":643,"depth":213,"text":644},{"id":653,"depth":213,"text":654},{"id":663,"depth":213,"text":664},{"id":673,"depth":213,"text":674},{"id":683,"depth":213,"text":684},{"id":693,"depth":213,"text":694},{"id":703,"depth":213,"text":704},{"id":713,"depth":213,"text":714},"2025-11-22",{"src":576},{},"\u002Fblog\u002Fbetween-water-and-air-the-story-of-daniel-bobrowski",{"title":760,"description":239},"Between Water and Air: Daniel Bobrowski","Sa4zzQDPrlGrs2Jzms_ROKruOB67ea7rHTR16k3yyyU",{"id":763,"title":241,"authors":764,"badge":767,"body":768,"date":877,"description":244,"extension":225,"image":878,"meta":879,"navigation":228,"path":880,"seo":881,"stem":243,"__hash__":883,"score":428},"posts\u002Fen\u002F3.blog\u002F42.vital-flow-swimming-mountains-and-passion-interview-with-kamil-leczycki.md",[765],{"name":65,"to":66,"avatar":766,"jobTitle":69},{"src":68},{"label":71,"color":72},{"type":74,"value":769,"toc":868},[770,773,779,783,786,790,793,796,800,803,806,810,813,816,820,823,827,830,833,837,840,843,850,853,856,859,861],[77,771,772],{},"I first met Kamil during Total Immersion courses in Nowy Sącz. Right away, his professionalism, his calm presence, and his enormous passion for swimming stayed with me. Today I get to share his story with you, and I do so with a real sense of pride.",[77,774,775],{},[83,776],{"alt":777,"src":778},"Kamil Łęczycki","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fvital-flow-kamil-leczycki.webp",[91,780,782],{"id":781},"what-made-you-decide-to-start-your-own-brand-vital-flow","What made you decide to start your own brand, Vital Flow?",[77,784,785],{},"I wanted to bring together everything that genuinely fascinates me: swimming, nutrition, and personal growth. After years of working in different places and different roles, I felt it was time for something that was truly mine. That is how Vital Flow came to life. It is a space where I can help people work on their health, their fitness, and their overall well-being.",[91,787,789],{"id":788},"your-path-has-been-varied-where-did-it-all-begin","Your path has been varied. Where did it all begin?",[77,791,792],{},"It started at the pool, quite literally. I competed for MKS STP Nowy Sącz, I was a member of WOPR, the Volunteer Water Rescue Service, and along the way I worked as a referee and an instructor. Water has been part of my life since I was very young.",[77,794,795],{},"Nutrition came later. I studied it out of a fascination with how the human body works, and I took on a long list of courses, from psychodietetics to laboratory diagnostics. I also learned to swim using the Total Immersion method, first for myself, because I wanted to refine my own technique, and then so I could pass that knowledge on to others.",[91,797,799],{"id":798},"what-sets-vital-flow-apart","What sets Vital Flow apart?",[77,801,802],{},"The approach, above all. I teach swimming to children, teenagers, and adults, whether they swim for fun, for competition, or to clean up their technique. My methodology draws on Total Immersion, but I do not limit myself to a single method. I am building my own coaching style around movement awareness, mindfulness, and efficiency of effort, while still keeping concrete athletic goals in view.",[77,804,805],{},"On top of the coaching, I offer body composition analysis with a professional InBody analyzer, including on-site visits, interpretation of the results, and education. Put together, it adds up to a complete approach to health and fitness.",[91,807,809],{"id":808},"who-are-your-sessions-for","Who are your sessions for?",[77,811,812],{},"For everyone, truly. Some of my swimmers are starting from scratch. Others are athletes who want to sharpen their technique or get ready for competitions, triathlons, or fitness tests. I also work with people who want to overcome a fear of water. I run individual sessions and sessions in pairs.",[77,814,815],{},"For me, swimming is more than a sport. It is a form of self-improvement, a connection with your own body, and a way to find calm and grow as a person.",[91,817,819],{"id":818},"beyond-the-water-there-are-the-mountains-what-do-they-give-you","Beyond the water, there are the mountains. What do they give you?",[77,821,822],{},"The mountains teach me humility and gratitude. In June 2024, I summited Kilimanjaro, which marked the start of my Seven Summits project. Aconcagua is next on the list, and in 2026 I am planning a trek to Everest Base Camp. Much like swimming, the mountains teach consistency, determination, and joy in the process itself.",[91,824,826],{"id":825},"what-are-your-goals-for-the-near-future-both-professionally-and-personally","What are your goals for the near future, both professionally and personally?",[77,828,829],{},"I want to keep growing Vital Flow as a space for education, training, and personal development. I have workshops and courses in mind, and maybe even camps down the line. On a personal level, I want to reach more summits and keep refining my own swimming technique.",[77,831,832],{},"Starting in October, I am also beginning postgraduate studies in sports nutrition to deepen my knowledge, especially around swimming and high-altitude dietetics. I want my work to be even more cohesive and effective.",[91,834,836],{"id":835},"where-can-people-find-you","Where can people find you?",[77,838,839],{},"I run swimming sessions at Aqua Centrum Chełmiec, ul. Marcinkowicka 9a. You can reach me here:",[77,841,842],{},"📱 WhatsApp: +48 533 251 003",[77,844,845,846],{},"📧 Email: ",[206,847,849],{"href":848},"mailto:vitalflow.kl@gmail.com","vitalflow.kl@gmail.com",[77,851,852],{},"📸 Instagram: @vital.flow.kl",[77,854,855],{},"👍 Facebook: Vital Flow, Kamil Łęczycki",[77,857,858],{},"My thanks go to Kamil for this inspiring conversation and for sharing not only his knowledge but also his passion. If you want to swim with awareness, efficiency, and enjoyment, Vital Flow is a wonderful place to start.",[387,860],{},[77,862,863,864,867],{},"Kamil's story is a reminder that rhythm and awareness sit at the heart of swimming well. That belief is exactly what drives us at VimoSwim. If it resonates with you, ",[206,865,866],{"href":208},"reserve yours"," and help us shape a tool built for swimmers who care about how they move.",{"title":212,"searchDepth":213,"depth":213,"links":869},[870,871,872,873,874,875,876],{"id":781,"depth":213,"text":782},{"id":788,"depth":213,"text":789},{"id":798,"depth":213,"text":799},{"id":808,"depth":213,"text":809},{"id":818,"depth":213,"text":819},{"id":825,"depth":213,"text":826},{"id":835,"depth":213,"text":836},"2025-05-05",{"src":778},{},"\u002Fblog\u002Fvital-flow-swimming-mountains-and-passion-interview-with-kamil-leczycki",{"title":882,"description":244},"Vital Flow: Interview with Kamil Łęczycki","CtCI4MXWadMBYdlZZQPg9-uh53SdDVdPYXk8TjRMIO4",1781620034752]