Swimming for Hammers and Spoons

If it makes you feel better, I cannot float at all.
I sink.

I don’t possess any core strength and I can’t do a single pull up.

I can barely close a door without putting some effort in.

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Your question is why are your legs sinking and what can you do?

Could be lots of things to help;

Going faster :slight_smile:
Face down or almost directly down
More effective kick
But something in your use of the word “flat”in your post suggests more reach and roll could be at the root

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Paddles and pull - what value are you trying to get from this?

I have 30mins in the pool so I’m wondering if simply the faster/more volume could be a benefit to me?

@Paul_L I use the Finis Agility paddles. Not as big as say the TYR ones, but no straps

@joex I use it to try and focus on dialing in a pace at the same time as working on things like rotation/catch. I “enjoy” the mental side of going longer, but although I’m going “faster” I’m not pushing it

Does it have value? :man_shrugging:

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Only tried paddles twice, but now I own them I might as well try to use them - as long as the guard doesn’t stop me.

A continuous 30mins tomorrow with paddles and buoy will give me a chance to focus on the pull which I’m working on, and will force me to flip turn which I’m 50/50 on :laughing:

Special technique required for flip turns with paddles and a buoy.

Buoy can press into the calf if you compress too
Much. So you might need to “needle” flip, where you don’t get a push off, just your feet touch the wall.

Try alternating the sides you flip from, too.

Loads of fun to be had :see_no_evil::rofl:

Yeah I expect to be a choking mess of plastic at least twice. Hopefully at the shallow end.

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Eh?

I have never changed my flip turns when using a PB

No set session today, but I had a swim slot booked, so tried another 1500 straight.
27s better this week, compared to last, coming in at 24:17. So nearly a 2s/100m improvement. Another few weeks of that progression and I’ll be flying :upside_down_face:

I felt like I was fatiguing quite badly, but looking at my splits, there wasn’t anything dramatic. 300m splits of:
4:51, 4:52, 4:54, 4:53, 4:48. I definitely pushed the last 100 or so to finish.

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The boo-eee presses into my calf and causes an ache by the end of a longer set for me.
Also, need to adjust how I do my hands with paddles, too.

I think it only matters if you do a pro level turn.

If you do the artfully developed duck roll spin and hope method it is less of a problem.

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One issue I have with these paddles, consider how they stay on the hands, and what that means on hand entry and engaging the catch, also thinking about Newton’s 3rd law.

IMJ is that way >>

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In what way?

Where are you holding the buoy / where are your calves?

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I was thinking the same?!

Between my thighs.
Here’s a photo of Mark Threlfall, of GTN, explaining how to flip turn.

I’ve marked where my buoy would be in red.
It 100% touches my thighs when my feet hit the wall.

Check out Heather at 2:39
Mark seems to have a much straighter (“needle”) flip turn

They are held in place by water pressure typically. Until your arm is vertical you should have minimal pressure on the water.

In watching them two swim, I’d love to see me flailing through the water :scream::see_no_evil::rofl:

I know what you mean.
I remember a swim coach talking about it.

That first movement once the hand has extended out until the forearm is vertical shouldn’t have much force behind it, then once you’re “vertical” then apply the pressure.

You can kind of “let them go” and then “catch” them once the forearm is vertical or just hold them in place with your thumb

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