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Dan Wiffen Shares Distance Swimming Secrets That Led to Double World Titles

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

Dan Wiffen won Ireland’s first (and second) world championship medals ever last week in Doha, earning double gold in the 800 and 1500 freestyles. Wiffen takes us through his entire process at the meet and after hearing it, you can see how dialed into distance swimming he really is.

For example, in the 1500 prelim, after seeing Florian Wellbrock throw down a quick 14:48, Wiffen knew he only had to swim around 14:54 to make the final. Knowing those around him would be sticking with him, Wiffen paced his race accordingly to see if he could lure any swimmers into accidentally swimming too slow to make the final. Greg Paltrinieri, the 2022 world champion in the event, did just that, swimming right next to Wiffen and ultimately placing 9th in the prelim, missing the final.

  • 0:00 Dan Wiffen Introduction
  • 1:34 400 Free
  • 3:08 800 Free
  • 7:13 1500 Free Heats
  • 10:01 1500 Final
  • 11:06 Celebrations
  • 12:40 Winning 1500 Free by 10 Seconds
  • 14:38 Tricking Competitors
  • 17:15 The Set Dan Did The Day Before the 1500
  • 20:02 Having Fun with Walkouts
  • 22:36 Representing Ireland vs Great Britain
  • 25:55 Ireland on the World Stage
  • 27:50 Swimmer of the Meet
  • 30:23 International Friendships
  • 32:08 Resting for LCM vs SCM

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Distance Geek
8 months ago

I’ve waited all my D life for an interview like this. Great job Coleman. And while you did tea up the interview and let him roll, when you went back and asked him the set that he did between sessions. That was such a key question that I wanted the answer to. Love this guy and wish him all the best!

HalfDecentSwimmer
8 months ago

According to SwimSwam this man is ‘inconsistent’!! I bet you’re eating your words now!! Never doubt the Wiff

Admin
Reply to  HalfDecentSwimmer
8 months ago

I don’t remember writing that. In our men’s World Championship previews I wrote this, which is the opposite:

“Doubly so for Wiffen, who since April has broken the World Record in the 1500 free (in short course) and dropped three seconds in the 400 free (also in short course) to go 3:35.47 – now ranking 13th best all-time. He doesn’t seem to have trouble going fast many times a year (or the fear to attempt it), so I like him for a medal at this meet.”

swimapologist
Reply to  HalfDecentSwimmer
8 months ago

I hate comments like this because it forces me to say things like this when all I want to do is celebrate his achievement:

He went 3:46 in the 400 free final, two seconds slower than his best, and then went a best time in the 1500. So I mean, he kinda was inconsistent?

I don’t care that he went 3:46 in his 400. But it seems important to you.

DK99
8 months ago

Absolutely mental for him to not recognise the irony and proudly state Ireland is better than Britain at distance swimming when his entire career took off directly after moving to England lol

Knotty Buoy
8 months ago

Good interview.

It’s a real shame that there isn’t TWO DAYS of rest between the prelims and finals of the 1500 swims at the Olympics. The 8-day schedule would allow them to do it.

whoisthis
8 months ago

luring paltrinieri to miss the final is crazy

Diehard
8 months ago

The accent!! Good interview! He tweeted out yesterday thanking everyone in his support camp…..especially his coach, Andi Manley! Classy tweet!

Diehard
Reply to  Diehard
8 months ago

I think Coleman asked one question and Dan took over the interview!

Last edited 8 months ago by Diehard
Anymouse
Reply to  Coleman Hodges
8 months ago

Just like everyone else in 1500m final just watched Dan do his own thing, they didn’t try and stop him either.

Andysup
Reply to  Diehard
8 months ago

The sign of a masterful interviewer. Tee it up and get out the way.

Jean Marie
8 months ago

Great interview 😃

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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