Over the years, people have often asked me:
“Steven, what exactly is the philosophy behind the Shaw Method?”
After much reflection, I have finally decided to reveal the truth.
The Shaw Method is not merely a swimming method.
It is Shawmanism.
Now before anyone reports me to the authorities, let me explain.
Shawmanism is the ancient and highly questionable belief that the water may actually know more than we do.
While many swimming systems are built on the idea of conquering the water, Shawmanism begins with a radical proposition:
What if the water is not the enemy?
What if it is the teacher?
Followers of Shawmanism believe in several strange practices:
🔹 That balance is more important than struggle.
🔹 That softening often creates more power than forcing.
🔹 That breathing should be your friend and not an emergency.
🔹 That floating is not laziness.
🔹 That swimming is not simply about getting from A to B but about transforming your relationship with the water.
🔹 That sometimes the fastest way forward is to stop trying so hard.
Practitioners can occasionally be seen standing quietly at the side of the pool staring thoughtfully at the water.
This is known as deep aquatic contemplation.
To the untrained eye it looks like procrastination.
To a Shawmanist it is advanced learning.
There are no secret handshakes in Shawmanism.
Although there is a rather good thumbs-up position in front crawl.
There are no sacred robes.
Just slightly damp swimwear.
There are no gurus.
Only students of the water.
Even the teacher remains an apprentice.
Perhaps the central teaching of Shawmanism is this:
The water does not care how important you are.
It does not care about your job title, your social status, your qualifications or your personal best.
The moment you enter the water, all of that becomes secondary.
The water simply reflects how you are organised in that moment.
Tense?
The water notices.
Rushed?
The water notices.
Trying too hard?
The water notices that too.
But when you soften, listen and cooperate, something extraordinary can happen.
The water begins to support you.
And in that support, many people discover something much bigger than swimming.
They discover a different relationship with themselves.
So if you ever find yourself floating quietly, breathing easily, moving without struggle and smiling for no obvious reason…
Congratulations.
You may already be a Shawmanist.
No membership required.
Just bring your curiosity, your sense of humour and a willingness to let the water teach.