Paweł Lewicki and Ryszard Wachowski

Paweł Lewicki is a truly exceptional figure — for over 20 years, he has been a pioneer of Total Immersion in Poland: a coach, triathlete, and a man for whom every movement in the water matters. He completed his coaching certification in January 2003 in Coral Springs, Florida — trained by none other than Terry Laughlin, the creator of TI. Since then, he has led hundreds of workshops and camps across the country!

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The Beginnings

Before you became a TI coach, what did you do, and when did your swimming journey begin?

My story with swimming is a bit of a tale about searching… searching for efficiency, harmony in movement, simplicity in swimming. By education, I’m an English teacher — I taught in schools for many years. As it happened, all my teaching materials were in English, so the language helped me access swimming resources in their original versions. I was going along my teaching path, had a job, stability… and yet swimming tugged at my soul more strongly. It was a gateway to something more — to refining movement efficiency in the water, seeking a harmonious, powerful, yet effortless way of swimming. That’s how I came across the Total Immersion method — completely by chance. A friend showed me a few articles by Terry Laughlin. It was a breakthrough moment. I suddenly understood that swimming is more than powerful arm strokes or strong leg kicks — it’s about finding balance, awareness, and flow. I got so hooked that I ordered books, videos, all the materials. A transformation took place. Eventually, I decided to go study under Terry in the USA. It was a journey that changed my path forever. It wasn’t without challenges — the visa, the long trip, the culture shock — but it was worth it. Terry showed me a completely different approach: swimming based on awareness, balance, and control. It was a breakthrough — I overcame my limitations, and right after that… I decided to share this method.

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What captivated you about TI?

The fact that swimming stopped being a battle against the water and became a search for harmonious flow. It’s not about strength or power — it’s about movement efficiency. I don’t swim to exhaust myself; I swim like a dolphin — smoothly, efficiently, without thrashing. This kind of swimming can be learned at virtually any age. You don’t have to be a former competitive swimmer or a strong swimmer. As I often say: swimming is an art, and the instructor’s role is to show you how to find yourself in it. That’s why in TI we work from the fundamentals — balance, streamlining, movement awareness — and only then address breathing, power, or tempo. It’s not about racing through laps against the clock, but about refining your own efficiency in the water. The TI method in triathlon and open water. There’s no hiding the fact that many triathletes look for an effective swimming approach — one that preserves their energy for the bike and the run. TI works perfectly here because it teaches efficient, economical, and effective swimming. You don’t come out of the water exhausted — you emerge in good shape, ready for the next stages. As I often emphasize: swimming in triathlon is a gateway — the less you tire yourself out in it, the more energy you save for the rest.

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Open Water — a broader horizon of swimming. You love open water swimming — why?

Because it gives you freedom, contact with nature, a wider perspective. You’re not confined within the four walls of a pool. You can head out onto a lake, into the sea — you take in the space, the sound of the water, the deep breath. Open water requires a slightly different approach, though — a swimmer who is strong in the pool often gets lost in a lake. That’s why at our workshops in Kashubia and at our camps, we show how to navigate effectively, swim in a group, manage breathing, and maintain a straight course — even when the water is moving and visibility drops. Swimming camps — a chance for change. Camp Kashubia June 2024

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Tell us — who would you recommend such a camp to?

We organize swimming retreats where, in an intimate atmosphere, we refine technique, water awareness, and swimming efficiency. We don’t require anyone to be a swimming champion. Some participants have only completed a basic pool course. The key is the willingness to learn, openness, and a touch of humility. Some conquer their first open water there, while others refine their navigation or breathing management. These retreats demonstrate how effective TI is when implemented step by step.

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Besides your love of swimming, what other passions do you have?

Swimming is my whole life, but… I also enjoy reading, learning languages (Spanish), and playing the keyboard. It calms me down and gives me balance. I wouldn’t trade swimming for anything — it brings joy, strength, and at the same time humility. I’ve never had a moment where I wanted to give up. It’s a lifelong passion. 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 while also becoming efficient, regardless of age or fitness level. The TI method continues to evolve — simplifications have been introduced, such as eliminating heavy leg work in favor of whole-body balance. As we say: swimming is about refining movement, seeking harmony, and the water… becomes your ally. I am a teacher, an instructor, a swimming enthusiast. My role is to show that swimming — even over longer distances — can be light, efficient, and full of joy. It’s not about power or thrashing through the water. It’s about awareness, refining movement, and seeking harmony. Just like water — you need to listen to it, and then swimming becomes an art.

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Paweł Lewicki — mentor, guide, a man who brings out the best in swimmers. He is more than an ordinary instructor. He is a coach by calling, who sees potential in a swimmer even when they doubt it themselves. Paweł is a mentor who leads, inspires, and motivates, showing step by step how to overcome weaknesses, refine skills, and discover the joy of swimming. His approach combines technique, body awareness, and respect for the water, along with genuine care for the person — their goals and strengths. If you’re looking for someone who will give you wings in the water, teach you to swim efficiently and effortlessly, and infect you with their passion — Paweł Lewicki is a wonderful guide on that journey.

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Interview conducted by Agata Smenzyk on 22/06/2025