No weights for Capell, just effective pilates sessions to avoid tear – and aid injury repair. No weights for Capell, just effective pilates sessions to avoid tear – and
aid injury repair. image: Trent Mitchell

STRETCHING IT

“I use the SMRT physio device after every session because I get really tight through my left shoulder. It’s a self-treating physio system and really works for me; it’s got three adjustable components. I also get a massage once a fortnight, and try to see my physio every other week.”

R ’N’ R

“It’s very important to have a life out of the pool. Because I was never a super-talented age group swimmer, I always knew I would have to set myself up outside of the sport. I also realise my sport isn’t as glamorous as the pool and that I’m not going to make a living from it, so I’ve always been of the view that it’s important to get my education and qualifications and start developing a career for life after swimming. It keeps me busy: I might be studying all weekend and training all week – you definitely make sacrifices in your social and personal life, but at the same time you get to travel the world and have your fun when you’re over there and you’re achieving things. So, I think the benefits outweigh the negatives.“But it gets hard when you’re up to 1am studying and you know you have to be up at five. You try to sleep a bit during the day to recover for the afternoon session … It really becomes a management and balancing act.”

DOWN THE LINE

“The English Channel crossing is still the holy grail of marathon swimming. I’ve always wanted to do it, but it costs at least $10,000 by the time you add everything up. I always have good duels with the guy who’s got the Channel record – we kind of trade blows, where I win one and then he wins one … and he’s got the record.“There was almost a race organised for September this year. There was $30,000 for first prize, and I could do it for no cost. It was a good format and ready to go, but the French authorities said no for some reason. I’d love that record!”

MOTIVATION

“Traditionally, the older you are the better you get in our sport. Most of my main competitors are early 30s and I’m still early 20s; to win a World Championship at 20 is virtually unheard of. I plan to be around for a while yet. I get to swim in some of the best parts of the world: I’ve swum through the Suez Canal in Egypt and in the waters of Hawaii and the Mediterranean. You get to see the world and keep fit – it’s a good lifestyle. When you’ve got six other Australian reps at training every day, it definitely makes it a lot easier.”

– Graem Sims