Beginner vs Amateur vs Pro: Swimming Edition | How Fast Do Pro Triathletes Swim?

How would a complete beginner fare against a professional triathlete in a triathlon swim? What about an amatuer triathlete? Well, we thought we'd find out by putting our rookie against pro triathlete Kat Matthews & Heather in the water. It's time to find out in Beginner vs Amateur vs Pro!
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[@3WalkingPoles]

My swim pacing plan is: 1. not to drown, 2. to be at least 1 min before the cut-off. :)

[@Mike75575]

Me too, not by choice. Great for finding the bike 😂

[@SBoots29]

Exactly my goals as well. Also to have fun doing the race.

[@sarahhokanson5391]

😂😂

[@marclindsay5945]

3. Don't get kicked in the face!

[@watcher3372]

“please let us swim something that does kill me” “am I breathing properly? why am I already out of breath???” “I’m close... will my limbs die before I get there?” “Oh yeah, just remembered about that one fix in technique I forgot to do halfway done” “I don’t think I can’t do it” “ *staring into the ceiling about what’s happening while your endurance is being depleted* “

[@glendownton]

Love how Heather plays herself down as "an amateur", then you go look up her competition history ... Well played, Heather, well played!

[@Mike75575]

Yes, a tad modest of her.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Sadly those days are long behind me 🥲

[@SayMcGillicuddy]

There aren't very many amateurs with a genuine sub-10 IM aspiration! Very modest, Heather. Absolute animal.

[@glendownton]

@@heatherfell_oly Yet still a casual 1:26/100 pace here!

[@F1tch1c]

@@heatherfell_oly you are a fantastic swimmer - I am happy when I do around 1:45/100m

[@daskanguru140]

They should have used Natasha as the Amateur and someone who swims areond 2:30 pace as the beginner, ex-pros are a diffrent breed than amateurs :D

[@m0e566]

there is such a wide range in the swim in the age group category, I as an ex swimmer regularly go sub 5:30 for 400m open water where as some guys struggle going 6-7min

[@realalbertan]

@@m0e566 exactly. Evan at 44 I still outswim a lot of the pros. I have swam between 16:58 - 17:07 for 1500 every year since 2016 (except 2020 due to a lack of opportunities). Usually puts me at 17 high, 18 low in open water. 400 I rarely go slower than 4:20 and would possibly be 4:40 in open water.

[@m0e566]

@@realalbertan you say it. I see those huge differences mainly between the people who learned swimming as a child oder teenager or those who’ve learned ist as an adult. When I look at my age group (under 20) most guys will swim between 4:40 and maybe 6min for the 400, or 9:30 -12 min for 750m. That’s quite close but when you look to the older agegroups you quite often see differences of 5min or more even on the short distances.

[@daskanguru140]

@@m0e566 Yeah, me for example :D I don't know how things are looking elsewhere, but for local races in northern Germany (where actual beginners are starting), swimming around Natasha's pace got me 28th out of 122, so judging by field strenght in the beginner category, 2:00 pace is pretty fast

[@m0e566]

@@daskanguru140 here in the south in my local race, in 2019 you needed 5:32 for a Spot in the top 20 (126) out of the water 🤷‍♂️

[@graemesadd6971]

You could clearly see with the underwater camera shots just how much smoother and powerful the pros stroke was and yes, Heather is a professional, just no longer on the circuit.

[@realalbertan]

She was an Olympian in Modern Pentathlon and grew up as a swimmer. I think she had the best technique of the 3.

[@PhiyackYuh]

@@realalbertan you should watch the video where her swim got analysed by a swim coach. She just looks relaxed in the water. She could go faster with less rotation and moving head.

[@thatfriggingbathroom2656]

If she's a beginner then I am a rock

[@mennonl5733]

Same😂

[@levbobrov1398]

And I am an island.

[@philipsquire9056]

She can dive confidently with goggles on, not may beginners can do that.

[@taylor1991]

@@levbobrov1398 And my axe

[@TravelWithCeleste]

Haha. I still swim at 3:00-3:15 per 100 after 4 years. Hoping to get some technique pointers from the videos.

[@BurnyTone]

I love the fact that triathlon pros are so much more 'accessible' than in any other sport. What a beautiful sport 😊

[@agnidas5816]

some one who never had a podium finish at the major competition is accessible in any sport ;)

[@parttroll1]

I’d be happy with a 2:02 per 100m.

[@NickMaovich]

how much you got?

[@sTOUPILvalentin]

@@NickMaovich I swam 1500m under 40min and was feeling pretty good about it, then I watched this XD

[@MsAmira1988]

We need a "beginner-beginner" lol, Great new series! I look forward to the next videos :)

[@MrJhockley]

Beginner vs Pro vs Pro. Can't wait for the second instalment.

[@kmonnier]

This is one of the most valuable swimming videos you have made!

[@markbphilip]

Can't wait for the next installments!

[@alisontriathlonlover]

Great idea, fun 🤩 Congratulations to all!

[@thibod07]

All three were awesome! It takes so much training to be fast in swimming that explain why there is so much difference in your times. That is my take on it. 2 minutes 2 per 100 meter in open water seems already pretty good to me.

[@vingttroisheuresdeux]

Great series!!

[@rogga1011]

Heather is not your typical amateur though, is she? An Olympic medalist who currently has a GB vest as an Age Grouper is an above average pedigree.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Ok well researched but I am unfit would very much class myself as amateur.

[@Bethy177]

Would’ve been interested in a swim coach’s view of the difference in technique between all 3. Seems this is the key to speed in the swim.

[@bodhizafa6323]

Great video. Heather's effortless style, power gliding through the water. Playing herself down. Crafty ;0)

[@keithdoran89]

This was a great video! All three of you looked like you had fun out there! Amateurs always wonder how they place against the pros. Clearly, we amateurs have a lot to be proud of but there’s a lot of work to be done to keep up with the pros.

[@jascollinscork]

Fantastic video...... I want to get into swimming more and there are some handy tips here!!

[@erwinlargozadegala9590]

great video, congratulations to Kat on her previous races, and many more podium finishes to come, God bless

[@erockem]

Shout out to the film crew in the water.

[@sergio_grez]

This was great to watch. The humbleness and spotrsmanship here is awesome. I love swiming and i'm trying to be faster and more powerful. At this moment of my training as a beginner that 400 Mts in 8 minutes by Natasha is impressive!

[@skykaptain007]

That was awesome! Can't wait for the other parts

[@dickenscider4677]

Just gonna say this. I havent had the guts to swim in lakes like those before. Staring into the dark water without seeing the bottom feels really scary.

[@0741921]

I’ve seen some pics of clear water where you can see the bottom and I feel like it’s even scarier because you can see how deep it is and every creepy thing at the bottom

[@allypezz]

I'm a fairly strong swimmer and couldn't wait to start swimming in the lakes of Switzerland. The outdoor pools are essentially portions of the lake and I was shit scared to go any further for that very same reason.

[@artallen2860]

Consider using a swim buoy when swimming outside, provides extra visibility to others and an emergency floatation aid if you cramp or tired, while not interfering with your swimming.

[@Leeroy49]

So Kat as a Pro had by far the best judgement of her abilities. I think that's the coolest thing I learned this time :)

[@jamiefuhrman403]

Very excited for this series! Will be on the lookout for the bike and run videos!

[@gtn]

Thanks!

[@briantreadwell2206]

Enjoyable v-log 👍👍

[@sinancetinkaya]

Heather Strength: Chatting 😂

[@andreashecht272]

thanks for the great content! Greetings from Germany.

[@ninawarburton6761]

2.02 per 100 doesn’t feel very “beginner”

[@WimukthiBandara]

LOL! Heather posing as an amateur and coming 3 seconds behind the "Pro". Made me chuckle. Good one guys!!

[@chiensean]

2.02 is warp speed to me 😅

[@NewbeYAHtheVFG]

Gals...I really loved this! I am returning to triathlons after being off since 2015. Such inspiration! Can't wait to see yous on the bike next!

[@gtn]

Thanks! You can check out the bike edition here 👉 gtn.io/BvAvPBike

[@andrewhogg1427]

Thank you for the video. It’s probably covered elsewhere - it would be interesting to analyse the differences that ‘made the difference’!

[@janinereid8040]

I agree - It would be good to hear some analysis of what is contributing the most to the difference. Fitness obviously...but also technique

[@01mundito]

Gracias por su ayuda 😊 saludos de CHICONCUAC estado de México

[@doulos1981]

My first tri is a sprint in a saltwater river. I am terrified. So far, I can do the distance in the pool, but I am scared of what it will be like to not simply have the assurance that I can stand up if I wanted to.

[@BobBob-uv9fq]

Great to see them enjoying this

[@SayMcGillicuddy]

A good piece, but given that you went to the trouble of capturing some excellent underwater footage, I'd have liked a little bit of commentary on stroke analysis.

[@FrancisColvais]

definitely thought that was where this video was headed. you KNOW they discussed the differences amongst themselves (I bet anyways). maybe they didn't want to put the critique out there?

[@mikeinmunich8814]

Dude, there are a thousand other videos here on You Tube for stroke analysis. 🙄🤷🏻‍♂️

[@saritklein33]

I would be happy if you upload a video on how to improve times in the t1 replacement area

[@Marilyn3rietveld]

I loved this video!

[@likemarksee]

Where was this filmed please? It looks great, is it near Bath/Bristol?

[@InsolentMinxGoPro]

I was looking forward to watching this, but a bit disappointed there wasn't more of a comparison between their technique, and a wider angle shot to show just how fast Kat was in catching up

[@trbeyond]

Would be really useful to know the pool paces that each of you can hold for the same distance.

[@anwaralexander3035]

Holy that's incredibly fast. My 400 m is 10 mins gdamn speed demons

[@sharkATX]

Try a wetsuit (if that's your time without using one)

[@CyprusPete]

Love you Natasha, regards from Petros in Cyprus !!! I actually know Natasha, what she didn’t tell you is that she can also play tennis 🎾 She’s a great athlete, I’m due to play tennis tomorrow with her parents Garry and Teresa who are also very sporty… Loved the videos of the three disciplines and YES would love to see the three of compete in the same competition ! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK GIRLS

[@SubtleForces]

It's excellent and very enjoyable, as usual. A little aside, on the vignette for the video, Heather seems taller than both. Is it true and would it matter on a shorter distance? Swimmers are usually tall and Ièd expect this to matter more on shorter distances.

[@pgh36]

Hi #GTNCOACHESCORNER, I’m looking to get a coach for the swimming as it’s my weakest. But, is it better to have one coach for each discipline or to have one coach for all three? Thanks in advance

[@AlexRepin]

I like how the beginner is wearing "Alpha", a wetsuit intended for great natural swimmers, and the pro has 3.8, which is the most buoyant of them. I also notice that the pro and the beginner both don't rotate very much.

[@kimweidner7351]

Yeah, but the pro averages a 1:26 per 100 meters. That is impressive for under rotating. 😉

[@AlexRepin]

@@kimweidner7351 even more, Lucy Charles-Barclay under rotates as well, but still destroys the competition and even qualifies for 1500m Olympics swimming. Go figure.

[@kajet666]

@@AlexRepin I think people with exceptional abilities "are permitted" to have weird technique. Think Priscah Jeptoo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/joSzmmajrZ1ngJI

[@anthonyhett]

Great video. Watching it has given me a little confidence boost ahead of my first 5k swim in nearly 2yrs. I did a pool 400m in 5:27 a couple of days ago and know I can go a fair bit faster. I’ve never done a triathlon but maybe one day. Wish me luck for the 5k.

[@Alex-kr7zr]

That's fast, depending on your swim style you can take 20-30s off your 100m pace to compare it with swimming neo outdoors. But also remember that 400m is a sprint, and some people like me can't really swim much faster when sprinting compared to their endurance pace.

[@elizabethbrueggeman5300]

Have the biking and running videos been posted yet?

[@SBoots29]

This looks like a very good series to stay tuned to. I would like to see races between age groupers. So, does experience make a difference. 30, 40 50 and 60. I bet we could all figure out the order. In the mean time, I'm in it for the fun and fitness. Cheers

[@simonbedwell7497]

Has the Cycle and Run one been completed yet? I cant seem to see anything?

[@user-gh8sw8od8x]

In triathlon is the three sport do in one time without break? Let me know more please

[@ngdawgs1]

Kat killed it! That speed is insane. Heather not too far behind 💪🏽.

[@grantmckay7014]

Drone footage to show speed difference would be good.

[@leeadams2413]

At least Natasha pulled off a dive from the platform. Know a lot of people that could'nt do that with out there goggles being pulled off.

[@warp9wb]

How is 2:02 per 100m a beginner? And how is Heather "an Amateur"... Please use more representative triathletes GTN!!!

[@charlieowen1967]

I saw you guys filming this at the lake where I swim. 😲😃

[@alanshrimpton6787]

Looked like you gals had a great time. Enjoyed watching

[@gtn]

Thanks so much

[@Uppercottage2]

Great video!, amateur couple just getting into our first Tri at 60!, Where is this venue please?…..

[@gtn]

Awesome - this video was shot at Vobster Quay 🙌

[@MrBraindead101]

Great video. Well done all. What was the water temp? I was swimming last week with the water at 17° which felt really nice.

[@heatherfell_oly]

It’s warmed up now but was about 14.

[@MrBraindead101]

@@heatherfell_oly Thanks for the reply.

[@karinaniskanen1386]

Will you do videos on T1 and T2 as well? Would also be interesting, I am a beginner and realize that I am very slow compared to my clubmates who have been racing för a while...

[@heatherfell_oly]

Think we might include that too, nice idea.

[@jonathanzappala]

I’d like to know what your definition of amateur is on hat side of the pond. First 49 min 25 Ollie Bridgewood, now Heather! Certainly swimming will be the biggest difference as it’s the most technique based.

[@ExodusThePup]

I loved this

[@travisbowersox8586]

Would have liked to see mass start so that the differences are more apparent. Nonetheless, great video... thanks!

[@MarceloG..]

Heather you are a sandbagger... haha😂. I really love seeing you swim, beautiful form you have.... this coming from a real amateur 😁😁

[@jadeylevi136]

it's nice to see that I'm not that slow as a "beginner" swimmer 😉 when I try to do a faster/sprint swim I feel like I'm all over the place and that it's not that faster than my usual swim.. p.s - until when can I still count myself as a beginner?! 😝😶🤔

[@ejjames1675]

GTN Love the video, awesome massive (racing please) three of you racing (more importantly) beating the boys, beating them. Showing who’s boss, girls over us/boys.

[@gtn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ER-me1ii]

Got into this sport at 58 years old. Did a couple of sprints the first season. The pandemic shut me down after that till this year. Didn’t train while things were shut down. Indoor HIIT cycling was about it. Now I’m attempting an Olympic distance this year and I avoided running my whole life. Honestly for a rank beginner I’m an ok not good swimmer. An ok cyclist and a horrible runner. My idea of ok is probably horrible to most and my idea of horrible is probably pathetic to many. But I’m gonna do it in the oldest age group category anyway because why TF not? This is for me. My goal is to finish. Love this community btw. Great people.

[@gtn]

Thanks!

[@garethrowan4]

Swim is my favourite part Pity it's not long enough to get a lead to save my crappy cycling 🤣😂🤣

[@lesliebattle6151]

I totally misjudged who was the pro😂

[@danj1072]

What is the level before beginner? That is my level. So amazing how talented people are.

[@SoorAurora]

Novice. 🙂

[@theunfairadvantages]

how many times are you gonna cut the film! cant even tell whats going on

[@tonylo6013]

Fun to watch

[@thomaschuette6789]

Nice ! Too bad you didn't analyse the differences in swimming style between the 3.

[@compt041]

Analysing the learning outcomes would have been useful

[@nicokent9648]

I can’t find the next vid anyone?

[@likemarksee]

Interesting wetsuit choice? The pro athlete is wearing the 3.8 designed for the progressive swimmer and the beginner is wearing the alpha(?) that has the least buoyancy, designed for the natural swimmer. Am I right? I noticed, because i’m considering changing wetsuit to one that allows me to kick more. My current super suit, does not let me kick and i feel that i am working against the buoyancy. I am faster in the pool (sans wetsuit) than i am in open water with a super suit. But, i am still not sure whether less buoyancy will be faster.

[@kahotam7975]

If a Pentathlon silver medallist is an amatuer then I'll be a foetus swimmer. That was the only swimming competition I won.

[@homosapien4988]

Where is that quarry?

[@eduardorusca6514]

It's so hard to breathe whenever there's a scene where you are underwater.

[@becca5783]

I did a 1:57 pace in my last 70.3... but I pace 1:27 in a pool..... =/ I struggle with looking forward and losing momentum.

[@gd3515]

2:02 is exactly my pace. I can't imagine pulling off Heather's pace for a 400....maybe one day...

[@allisonscanlan4144]

Just do some interval training

[@brettbale9535]

Underwater cameraman drowning out there.

[@jeremyscherbert7336]

Like the concept, but you need to spend more time on the race. Maybe an overhead drone shot or something to watch one person overtaking the second.

[@AlphaV5]

My friend has swum her whole life and done the Channel multiple times yet can't swim even close to 9 mins per 400m, are you sure she's a new beginner or undercover 😅

[@barelyharmful9539]

Heather as...wait, what!!! She's the most lovely semi-pro ❤

[@BenjisBoxingChannel]

What is the 'Amateur's profession? Oh yeah, all things triathlon, making videos about triathlon, talking to pro triathletes, training for triathlon, and doing triathlons. Has also completed at Kona... And we have a 'Pro' whose full time job is being in the Army.

[@petersthomson4624]

I was in a swimming club and my time could be 5 Minutes and 30s if I swim really fast (not top speed, but my speed for that distance). But I could not keep this up for more than 400m, I guess. And I am a male. They all had a good technique and I am impressed, that they probably swimming their styles for really long distances. But with just 400m, I am not sure about it.

[@tombracey3114]

Where is this filmed?

[@gtn]

This is at Vobster Quay 🙂

[@TheTjappo]

Nice idea. Unfortunately the camerawork and editing made it very hard to see the speed of the swimmers.

[@Bengalurean1]

Real stuff starts at @06m01s You are welcome.

[@dragonage200]

“Amateur” is an Olympic silver medalist lol

[@ejjames1675]

GTN 3 girls vs 3 boys race. Off they go. And Natasha takes a early lead, stretching her lead out over a boy (or whoever his name is) Heather takes over, stretching her lead by miles over unknown boy name. Kat Matthews takes over, beats the boys by miles (or whoever they are) Showing who’s boss, better, girls are.

[@mtnslyr]

The problem I have with all the videos is that volume for conversation is too low and the volume for music is too loud. Like in the movies where conversations is fine and then suddenly ur eardrum burst at the action sequence.

[@benwoodhouse8202]

1:26 pace would put you high up most triathlon fields

[@TamaEnergy]

I keep trying to improve but still stuck at 2min/100m grrrr

[@ArnabMYT]

I could identify the Pro immediately :D

[@gerardochaparro1639]

Team Heather all along!

[@lexington476]

They even went and put out buoys for this video.