Kate Bevilaqua: Long‑Course Triathlon Swimming, Pacing and Race‑Day Decisions

In this episode of The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming, I’m joined by recently retired professional triathlete and coach Kate Bevilaqua to explore the role of swimming in non‑drafting long‑course triathlon.

With the Busselton 100 marking the close of the WA triathlon season, this conversation looks at how athletes should think about the swim not as a standalone effort, but as the first decision of a long race day. Kate reflects on her own career across Ironman, 70.3 and Ultraman, including openly discussing swimming as her relative weakness, and how that shaped her approach to pacing, mindset and race‑day decision‑making.

We discuss what defines a good swim in long‑course racing, common mistakes athletes make early in the swim, warm‑up and start strategies, navigation, equipment choices, transition habits, and how swim preparation influences performance later on the bike and run. Kate also shares insights from her coaching, including how age‑group athletes often underestimate the true cost of the swim.

This is a thoughtful, practical conversation about swimming with intent — not to win the swim, but to set up the rest of the race.

Kate coaches through GK Endurance: www.gkendurance.com

This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.