Swim Melbourne Masters:
2026 Winter-Spring Season Map

THE OVERALL PLAN

This season is about training with a purpose, racing when it matters, and staying healthy while improving. Not everyone peaks at the same time. That’s intentional. That’s by design.

WHO THIS IS FOR

• Pool sprinters 25–100
• Pool middle distance 200–1000
• Distance and open water swimmers 1500–5K
• Newer swimmers and returning swimmers training together, differently

SEASON FLOW AT A GLANCE

JANUARY

Championship Build – “Own the Moment”
• Sharpen speed and precision
• Individualized taper based on training history
• Team first racing and relays

Peak Meet:
• Rowdy Gaines Classic, Orlando
• Team championship focus (relays)

FEBRUARY–MARCH

Open Water Prep – “Adapt to Tactical Endurance”
• Build sustainable rhythm and pacing
• Train for changing conditions
• Not about logging distance, it’s about targeted training

What this looks like:
• Longer controlled repeats
• Tempo changes and surges
• Optional open water skills

EARLY APRIL

Peak Open Water Racing
• USMS Open Water Nationals
• 1 Mile
• 5K

Who peaks here:
• Distance and open water swimmers
• Open Water overlap with middle distance, and a few brave sprinters, lol

MID APRIL

Pool Racing Tune-Up
• YMCA Masters Nationals, Sarasota

Purpose:
• Tune-up for USMS Nationals
• “A” race option for some swimmers
• Strong team focus, Gold Coast relays

LATE APRIL–EARLY MAY

Pool Championship Peak
• USMS Spring Nationals, Greensboro NC

Who peaks here:
• Small, targeted group
• Full taper and individual focus

HOW TAPERS WORK HERE

• Not everyone tapers the same
• Rest is matched to training history / volume
• More consistent training allows for deeper rest
• Less consistent training keeps a bit more work in to retain feel
• Some swimmers sharpen skills, others maintain / gain feel
• No one is left behind

A NOTE FOR SPRINTERS

• If your primary events are 25s through 100s, you are not being asked to train distance in the spring
• While some swimmers prepare for open water nationals, sprinters follow a parallel path

• Higher-volume distance work is not harder or “better” training, it is simply different. Sprint focused work is not an easier option, the end of season race focus dictates the training path
• Speed, power, resistance swims, and race skills remain protected
• Expect short, high quality speed work with adequate recovery
• Starts, breakouts, turns, and first 25 execution stay a priority
• Aerobic work remains present to support recovery and consistency
• The goal is to arrive in April feeling sharp, rested, and confident for key pool races, not worn down by unnecessary volume

WHAT STAYS CONSISTENT ALL SEASON

• Technique first
• Smart, with a purpose volume
• Injury aware training
• Fun Fin Friday remains sacred
• One practice, six lanes, multiple training paths

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

Please communicate your goals, and if you have an "A" race that is not listed on this plan, let me know coach@swimmelbmasters.com
This includes all things athletic: triathlon, open water, pool meets, marathons, etc. When I know what you’re training for and where you are expecting peak performance, I can better adjust the work to support your goals. Train consistently when possible, trust the process, focus on improving just one skill each workout, and support your lane mates by being a respectful and an aware training partner. When the opportunity comes, we also ask that you step up and race for the team when needed.

THE PROMISE

If you train consistently, respect your body (your strengths and limitations), stay engaged over time, you give yourself the best opportunity to race well, stay healthy, and enjoy the season. Consistency and frequency are what drive improvement in swimming, it’s what allows coaching, technique cues, and race strategy to really click. When training is more sporadic, expectations shift toward gaining or rebuilding feel for the water and swim fitness rather than fine tuning for peak results. The goal is always to meet swimmers where they are and help them progress, but the best performances come from steady work done well in advance of race day.

A NOTE ON SHARED LANES AND LIMITED POOL TIME

Our pool time is limited and we certainly feel that squeeze through the year; so we share lanes with multiple swimmers. To someone new, this can look chaotic or less than ideal, especially if you’re used to swimming alone. In reality, this shared lane environment is a big part of what makes our club special. Training together builds connection, awareness, and adaptability, and it creates a true team culture rather than just isolated swim workouts.

This is a major reason we were named USMS 2025 Club of the Year. That recognition wasn’t just about fast swims or records, it came from training and showing up as a team. Nearly 60% of our swimmers competed in USMS / Grown-Up Swimming events last year. You trained consistently, and supported one another all year long. When someone is missing from a full lane, their absence is felt because the energy they bring matters.

Yes, the water can be more turbulent and challenging, but that challenge builds adaptable and stronger swimmers who are ready for any race condition. Strong swimmers aren’t made in perfect conditions, they’re built in real ones.

See you at the pool,
Coach B.J. Graham