About
36
Years of
Experience
ABOUT SWIM LANZAROTE & ME
Paul Cardwell Hounam
Swim Lanzarote was created out of a clear need—so many strong pool swimmers struggle in open water. I saw coaches stuck in outdated routines and swimmers missing the bigger picture. Open water isn’t just about speed—it’s about awareness, adaptability, and confidence. You don’t have to be the fastest to "win" in open water. It's like running through a forest without noticing the trees or the light above. I’m here to help open your eyes to everything this environment offers.
I’ve been coaching swimmers of all levels for years. I started volunteering at 14, became a full-time school and club instructor by 16, and never looked back. As much as I loved rivers and lochs, the call of the ocean grew stronger—helped along by Hawaii 5-0, Old Spice ads, and a bit of Baywatch. Eventually, I swapped cold water for blue skies and warm seas, and Swim Lanzarote was born.
Open Water Swimming
My passion has always been the open water.
From an early age, I’ve been fascinated by the ocean, rivers, lochs, and lakes. I’m not sure whether it was the sense of adventure or the vastness of open space—but something about the water had me completely hooked. As soon as I could walk, my grandparents would take me on the traditional Sunday afternoon beach trip. I still remember my grandfather telling the story: the moment my feet hit the sand, I was off—racing toward the water, straight in—until he had to wade in, shoes and all, to pull me out.
That pull toward the water never left me. Over the years, my passion for beach lifeguarding, surfing, and paddling only grew stronger. And when I began to coach, I realized there was something missing from traditional open water swim training. I started developing a method that helped triathletes truly understand how water behaves—how to read it, work with it, and use it to their advantage. It wasn’t just about swimming anymore; it was about unlocking the secrets of the water to completely transform their performance.
Since the early ’90s, when Ironman first came to Lanzarote, I’ve been helping athletes refine everything from stroke technique and breathing to race-day strategy—all drawn from decades of immersion in open water.
Now, I want to share that knowledge with you. Over 40 years of experience—ready to help you make the most of every swim.
Hope to see you out there soon,
Paul.
