The Swimming Thread - Pool/OW
Discussion
I am fully aware of the course changes. It was always going to be approximate with the new course layout, how can 3 laps be 3.8k and 4 laps 5k! We reckon the 5k race was 5.2k and the times my friends did, kind of support this. Also good to know you clocked it slighly further, how far do you think you swam before starting the watch?
Today in the pool (25m) I did a non stop 4k in 59.23, so my target of every 100m in 90secs is achieved.
Im already booked for the August race, 3.8k again, but have the Bantham Swoosh next weekend, around 7k and Brownsea in September, also 7k ish.
Its just so much training... I will be at Box End tomorrow for another long one...
Oh yea, Im older than you as well.... 45-49!
Today in the pool (25m) I did a non stop 4k in 59.23, so my target of every 100m in 90secs is achieved.
Im already booked for the August race, 3.8k again, but have the Bantham Swoosh next weekend, around 7k and Brownsea in September, also 7k ish.
Its just so much training... I will be at Box End tomorrow for another long one...
Oh yea, Im older than you as well.... 45-49!
I reckon I probably swam about 50 meters before starting the watch. So in total I have clocked about 3.9k. I was warming up when they suddenly shouted 10 seconds so sprinted round to the start buoy and then it started, I then realised I hadn't started the watch.
I had been doing some laps at box end regularly and I understand a lap of the cable lake is 850 if you go through every red buoy, and that is roughly what my Garmin had been showing when wearing on my wrist. The GPS lines on the map look roughly sensible.
I hadn't even clocked the fact that 3 / 3800 is not the same as 4 / 5000. :-)
Yeah I may do the 3.8 or even the 5 or 10 in August. I have Consiton end to end in September so probably ought to do the longer distances. 10k round and round that lake is going to be pretty dull though.
The organisation seemed a bit off this year, or is it just me? I seem to remember lots of kayak support last year and I don't remember seeing anyone this year. It doesn't bother me too much as if I ever got into trouble its only 20 yards to the bank and so shallow anyway.
4k under 60 is tasty. I am still not at the point of being able to hold 1:30/100m for 400m. That's my final goal of the year to go sub 6. I got to 6:04 last year and I feel now that I am almost back to that shape although I haven't done a 400m TT for a while as I am so close to the HIM triathlon.
I had been doing some laps at box end regularly and I understand a lap of the cable lake is 850 if you go through every red buoy, and that is roughly what my Garmin had been showing when wearing on my wrist. The GPS lines on the map look roughly sensible.
I hadn't even clocked the fact that 3 / 3800 is not the same as 4 / 5000. :-)
Yeah I may do the 3.8 or even the 5 or 10 in August. I have Consiton end to end in September so probably ought to do the longer distances. 10k round and round that lake is going to be pretty dull though.
The organisation seemed a bit off this year, or is it just me? I seem to remember lots of kayak support last year and I don't remember seeing anyone this year. It doesn't bother me too much as if I ever got into trouble its only 20 yards to the bank and so shallow anyway.
4k under 60 is tasty. I am still not at the point of being able to hold 1:30/100m for 400m. That's my final goal of the year to go sub 6. I got to 6:04 last year and I feel now that I am almost back to that shape although I haven't done a 400m TT for a while as I am so close to the HIM triathlon.
Hi-I just thought I'd pop my head in.
I'm a runner normally but over the past year have been swimming a lot after starting as cross training during an injury.
I've steadily built up to the stage now where I can do a 3km session in an hour with a main set of 8x200m in the pool, and I train with a group that is mainly triathletes which I'm normally at the front of.
Recently I thought I'd try my first open water event. I'd asked the coaches and they said I'd be ok, just to watch out for the cold as it was a river swim and they are much colder than lakes.
So I got in for the 500m race and it was cold but it didn't feel too bad with the wetsuit I was wearing.
However once we got going I really started to struggle with my breathing. I'm normally every 3 strokes and can often go for 5 when I'm taking it easy, but it was impossible to keep to 3 in this situation! I ended up doing a mixture of crawl/backstroke and breastroke just to finish (I wasn't last which was about the best thing I could take from it!)
Is it always that much of a shock going from pool to open water-and is the cold normally that debilitating?
A friend of a friend mentioned that it might be because of the wetsuit, as it could have been constricting me which is also a possibility.
I'd love to go back and try again but don't want to get myself into the same situation!
I'm a runner normally but over the past year have been swimming a lot after starting as cross training during an injury.
I've steadily built up to the stage now where I can do a 3km session in an hour with a main set of 8x200m in the pool, and I train with a group that is mainly triathletes which I'm normally at the front of.
Recently I thought I'd try my first open water event. I'd asked the coaches and they said I'd be ok, just to watch out for the cold as it was a river swim and they are much colder than lakes.
So I got in for the 500m race and it was cold but it didn't feel too bad with the wetsuit I was wearing.
However once we got going I really started to struggle with my breathing. I'm normally every 3 strokes and can often go for 5 when I'm taking it easy, but it was impossible to keep to 3 in this situation! I ended up doing a mixture of crawl/backstroke and breastroke just to finish (I wasn't last which was about the best thing I could take from it!)
Is it always that much of a shock going from pool to open water-and is the cold normally that debilitating?
A friend of a friend mentioned that it might be because of the wetsuit, as it could have been constricting me which is also a possibility.
I'd love to go back and try again but don't want to get myself into the same situation!
cookie - the cold can affect people in different ways. I couldn't do it at first. I entered the river swim at Windsor, got in, couldn't get my head under water and DNS.
I had some coaching. Was shown how to get into the water slowly to minimise the shock. I get in let the water run down the back of my wetsuit, then start swimming breast stroke and lower my head slightly into the water, breathing out. Do it slowly till you get over the initial shock. If you go in too quickly the cold water shock (when it splashes your face) makes you breathe in quickly and shallowly which means you just can't swim properly because you just can't breathe properly. This can be exasperated by an overly tight wetsuit which also makes it feel like you can't breathe.
Rivers are often colder then lakes, especially if it has rained recently. It depends on a lot of things. The lake I swim in regularly is shallow so it warms up quickly but loses the heat quickly also. Lats month the temp dropped from 18 to 15 in one week and those 3 degrees make a huge difference to comfort.
The best thing to do is practice till you get used to it. Find somewhere local where they do open water swimming. There are lots of places that let you turn and pay a fiver or so for a swim. By practicing in a open session rather than a race it gives you time to get used to it all without any race pressure.
Once you have been a few times you will get quite used to it and will be able to hop in and start swimming straight away. Occasionally you will get a shock when a particular lake or river is surprisingly cold but you when you have your technique for getting in its not too bad and it will bother you less. I went recently and the lake was 15. I couldn't put my head under water to start with and when I did I got ice cream head. I thought I am going to do 1 lap and get out but once I got going it was fine and I did 3 laps. Couldn't feel my hand, feet or face when I got out mind.
I had some coaching. Was shown how to get into the water slowly to minimise the shock. I get in let the water run down the back of my wetsuit, then start swimming breast stroke and lower my head slightly into the water, breathing out. Do it slowly till you get over the initial shock. If you go in too quickly the cold water shock (when it splashes your face) makes you breathe in quickly and shallowly which means you just can't swim properly because you just can't breathe properly. This can be exasperated by an overly tight wetsuit which also makes it feel like you can't breathe.
Rivers are often colder then lakes, especially if it has rained recently. It depends on a lot of things. The lake I swim in regularly is shallow so it warms up quickly but loses the heat quickly also. Lats month the temp dropped from 18 to 15 in one week and those 3 degrees make a huge difference to comfort.
The best thing to do is practice till you get used to it. Find somewhere local where they do open water swimming. There are lots of places that let you turn and pay a fiver or so for a swim. By practicing in a open session rather than a race it gives you time to get used to it all without any race pressure.
Once you have been a few times you will get quite used to it and will be able to hop in and start swimming straight away. Occasionally you will get a shock when a particular lake or river is surprisingly cold but you when you have your technique for getting in its not too bad and it will bother you less. I went recently and the lake was 15. I couldn't put my head under water to start with and when I did I got ice cream head. I thought I am going to do 1 lap and get out but once I got going it was fine and I did 3 laps. Couldn't feel my hand, feet or face when I got out mind.
944fan said:
cookie - the cold can affect people in different ways. I couldn't do it at first. I entered the river swim at Windsor, got in, couldn't get my head under water and DNS.
I had some coaching. Was shown how to get into the water slowly to minimise the shock. I get in let the water run down the back of my wetsuit, then start swimming breast stroke and lower my head slightly into the water, breathing out. Do it slowly till you get over the initial shock. If you go in too quickly the cold water shock (when it splashes your face) makes you breathe in quickly and shallowly which means you just can't swim properly because you just can't breathe properly. This can be exasperated by an overly tight wetsuit which also makes it feel like you can't breathe.
Rivers are often colder then lakes, especially if it has rained recently. It depends on a lot of things. The lake I swim in regularly is shallow so it warms up quickly but loses the heat quickly also. Lats month the temp dropped from 18 to 15 in one week and those 3 degrees make a huge difference to comfort.
The best thing to do is practice till you get used to it. Find somewhere local where they do open water swimming. There are lots of places that let you turn and pay a fiver or so for a swim. By practicing in a open session rather than a race it gives you time to get used to it all without any race pressure.
Once you have been a few times you will get quite used to it and will be able to hop in and start swimming straight away. Occasionally you will get a shock when a particular lake or river is surprisingly cold but you when you have your technique for getting in its not too bad and it will bother you less. I went recently and the lake was 15. I couldn't put my head under water to start with and when I did I got ice cream head. I thought I am going to do 1 lap and get out but once I got going it was fine and I did 3 laps. Couldn't feel my hand, feet or face when I got out mind.
Thanks!I had some coaching. Was shown how to get into the water slowly to minimise the shock. I get in let the water run down the back of my wetsuit, then start swimming breast stroke and lower my head slightly into the water, breathing out. Do it slowly till you get over the initial shock. If you go in too quickly the cold water shock (when it splashes your face) makes you breathe in quickly and shallowly which means you just can't swim properly because you just can't breathe properly. This can be exasperated by an overly tight wetsuit which also makes it feel like you can't breathe.
Rivers are often colder then lakes, especially if it has rained recently. It depends on a lot of things. The lake I swim in regularly is shallow so it warms up quickly but loses the heat quickly also. Lats month the temp dropped from 18 to 15 in one week and those 3 degrees make a huge difference to comfort.
The best thing to do is practice till you get used to it. Find somewhere local where they do open water swimming. There are lots of places that let you turn and pay a fiver or so for a swim. By practicing in a open session rather than a race it gives you time to get used to it all without any race pressure.
Once you have been a few times you will get quite used to it and will be able to hop in and start swimming straight away. Occasionally you will get a shock when a particular lake or river is surprisingly cold but you when you have your technique for getting in its not too bad and it will bother you less. I went recently and the lake was 15. I couldn't put my head under water to start with and when I did I got ice cream head. I thought I am going to do 1 lap and get out but once I got going it was fine and I did 3 laps. Couldn't feel my hand, feet or face when I got out mind.
I got in and put my head down and did a couple of strokes beforehand but it obviously wasn't enough. Maybe next time I'll get in earlier and get a bit more swimming in. They also do a 250m which you have to walk/swim down to (it's a 250m down and back up track so it's a walk/swim down to the start of the 250m), so I think I'll try the 250m and try the tips you've mentioned and see if I can get warmer and more used to it.
Thinking back I actually did the most crawl at the end of the race so maybe it was just a case of getting used to it and more time in the water would help-only one way to find out!
I've also taken a look and there's a fair few places where tri clubs train locally so I'll try and get in and practice a bit in the meantime, also we go on holiday to the west coast of Scotland so if I want to try cold water swimming there's probably no better place.
I did notice that everyone, from the front to the back, was on two strokes-is that normal or do a lot of people do three in open water?
cookie118 said:
I did notice that everyone, from the front to the back, was on two strokes-is that normal or do a lot of people do three in open water?
3 is useful in training for getting rotation right but very few would bother in a race. I am tall and have very long stroke so I always breathe two in pool and OW. I breathe to the left unless I am turning a buoy on the right when I swap sides briefly.At race pace in the cold everyone is fighting for breath so imagine most would go two breathing every two.
For distance I would say breathing two's is the way to go for most people. Even in the 1500 in the pool, most guys do 2's. Sun Yang even breathes 1's just before the turns sometimes. I remember Ros Brett used to breath 2-2-2-3-2-2-2-3 etc, or something like that. Its worth the extra drag of turning to breathe to get the oxygen in you for the long term. You want to be working aerobically as much as possible...not doing anaerobic and filling up on lactic acid.
Clocked 6:13 on my 400m TT this morning with my coach. Only 9 seconds away from my all time PB last year of 6:04.
Interestingly because I have been doing more triathlon I haven't swam as much as I did last year. Only been doing 2/3 sessions a week this year whereas last it was 4/5. Seem to have stayed more consistent though and avoided illness a lot more.
Hoping for sub 6 by year end. Managed a 2:59 on the 200m so I can go at sub 6 pace, just need to be able to hold it for 400 now.
Interestingly because I have been doing more triathlon I haven't swam as much as I did last year. Only been doing 2/3 sessions a week this year whereas last it was 4/5. Seem to have stayed more consistent though and avoided illness a lot more.
Hoping for sub 6 by year end. Managed a 2:59 on the 200m so I can go at sub 6 pace, just need to be able to hold it for 400 now.
Big thanks 944fan for your advice.
We were heading on holiday to the west coast of Scotland so I bought myself a wetsuit (an AlpKit Lotic-very good for me but I've got nothing to compare it with!) and did 3 swims over the course of the week.
I found that what worked was pretty much what you described-breaststroke head above water, then head below water and gradually lengthenining the glide, then moving into crawl. I really enjoyed the swimming, a great change from beforehand. I have a sneaking suspicion the river will be cooler than the sea but I'm raring to go again!
Also I tried two breaths in the pool rather than three today as a bit of an experiment. And it got me about 5 seconds faster on a 100m rep with the same effort (1:35 vs 1:40 on an 80% effort). Not the most scientific of tests but I reckon the change might be very good for me so I'm keen to try it more.
We were heading on holiday to the west coast of Scotland so I bought myself a wetsuit (an AlpKit Lotic-very good for me but I've got nothing to compare it with!) and did 3 swims over the course of the week.
I found that what worked was pretty much what you described-breaststroke head above water, then head below water and gradually lengthenining the glide, then moving into crawl. I really enjoyed the swimming, a great change from beforehand. I have a sneaking suspicion the river will be cooler than the sea but I'm raring to go again!
Also I tried two breaths in the pool rather than three today as a bit of an experiment. And it got me about 5 seconds faster on a 100m rep with the same effort (1:35 vs 1:40 on an 80% effort). Not the most scientific of tests but I reckon the change might be very good for me so I'm keen to try it more.
cookie118 said:
Big thanks 944fan for your advice.
We were heading on holiday to the west coast of Scotland so I bought myself a wetsuit (an AlpKit Lotic-very good for me but I've got nothing to compare it with!) and did 3 swims over the course of the week.
I found that what worked was pretty much what you described-breaststroke head above water, then head below water and gradually lengthenining the glide, then moving into crawl. I really enjoyed the swimming, a great change from beforehand. I have a sneaking suspicion the river will be cooler than the sea but I'm raring to go again!
Also I tried two breaths in the pool rather than three today as a bit of an experiment. And it got me about 5 seconds faster on a 100m rep with the same effort (1:35 vs 1:40 on an 80% effort). Not the most scientific of tests but I reckon the change might be very good for me so I'm keen to try it more.
Glad it worked for you. It was a game changer for me just learning how to get in properly. I still do it now when I am getting in.We were heading on holiday to the west coast of Scotland so I bought myself a wetsuit (an AlpKit Lotic-very good for me but I've got nothing to compare it with!) and did 3 swims over the course of the week.
I found that what worked was pretty much what you described-breaststroke head above water, then head below water and gradually lengthenining the glide, then moving into crawl. I really enjoyed the swimming, a great change from beforehand. I have a sneaking suspicion the river will be cooler than the sea but I'm raring to go again!
Also I tried two breaths in the pool rather than three today as a bit of an experiment. And it got me about 5 seconds faster on a 100m rep with the same effort (1:35 vs 1:40 on an 80% effort). Not the most scientific of tests but I reckon the change might be very good for me so I'm keen to try it more.
With the breathing I always breathe every 2 (from an easy swim to full on race), it just works better for me. As long as your head position is good when you do breathe it shouldn't adversely impact you and getting more oxygen in keeps it aerobic. Worth trying it more, seems like it is making you faster and you are taking more breathes, not fewer, so it shouldn't negatively impact you at all.
Had the second for me(third and last of the series) open water events last night, and after the previous debacle it was so much better!!
I entered the 250m and 500m races this time (rather than just the 500m) and I took the opportunity to acclimatise properly (the course is a 250m length so you have to swim down to the start of the 250m race) and it was much better, I didn't have the same problems as beforehand.
The 250m went fairly well-I set off too fast though and had to briefly breaststroke halfway up to catch my breath, but in the 500m I started off much better and easier and had quite a good race! It was quite cool as we turned at the bottom of the course and then me and 3 others went stroke for stroke up the course before me and another guy pulled away. Then we went together for a while until he pulled away from me, leaving me to sprint into the finish against those catching me up again (I think,it's a bit of a blur!).
It's made me realise though that I have so much to learn!! I cocked up the turn so ended up swimming on the inside of the course on the way back up (mid-stream), judging my effort in the pack is so difficult and I've got so much more to improve technique-wise.
Also-I'm normally quite apologetic and in running (my main sport) you don't normally have much contact, so my normal reaction when I make contact is to say sorry-but the swimming races are getting me out of that habit pretty quickly!!
I entered the 250m and 500m races this time (rather than just the 500m) and I took the opportunity to acclimatise properly (the course is a 250m length so you have to swim down to the start of the 250m race) and it was much better, I didn't have the same problems as beforehand.
The 250m went fairly well-I set off too fast though and had to briefly breaststroke halfway up to catch my breath, but in the 500m I started off much better and easier and had quite a good race! It was quite cool as we turned at the bottom of the course and then me and 3 others went stroke for stroke up the course before me and another guy pulled away. Then we went together for a while until he pulled away from me, leaving me to sprint into the finish against those catching me up again (I think,it's a bit of a blur!).
It's made me realise though that I have so much to learn!! I cocked up the turn so ended up swimming on the inside of the course on the way back up (mid-stream), judging my effort in the pack is so difficult and I've got so much more to improve technique-wise.
Also-I'm normally quite apologetic and in running (my main sport) you don't normally have much contact, so my normal reaction when I make contact is to say sorry-but the swimming races are getting me out of that habit pretty quickly!!
cookie118 said:
Also-I'm normally quite apologetic and in running (my main sport) you don't normally have much contact, so my normal reaction when I make contact is to say sorry-but the swimming races are getting me out of that habit pretty quickly!!
Yeah I have to learn to be a lot less "nice" in the mass start swims. I used to try and get out peoples way but there is no point. Just keep doing you thing and ignore them, let them go round you if they are faster, otherwise they can f
k off. In a tri last week some tt punched me in the head twice. I slipped in behind him and drafted him for a large chunk of the course and then over took him.cookie118 said:
The 250m went fairly well-I set off too fast though and had to briefly breaststroke halfway up to catch my breath, but in the 500m I started off much better and easier and had quite a good race! It was quite cool as we turned at the bottom of the course and then me and 3 others went stroke for stroke up the course before me and another guy pulled away. Then we went together for a while until he pulled away from me, leaving me to sprint into the finish against those catching me up again (I think,it's a bit of a blur!).
It's made me realise though that I have so much to learn!! I cocked up the turn so ended up swimming on the inside of the course on the way back up (mid-stream), judging my effort in the pack is so difficult and I've got so much more to improve technique-wise.
Good work. The pacing and technique comes with doing lots of races. There is some stuff you can work on in the pool but mostly it is finding your style on OW. Once you have done a few the nerves go and you can focus on what you are doing a lot more. You also get the confidence from your swim fitness that you know how hard you can go.It's made me realise though that I have so much to learn!! I cocked up the turn so ended up swimming on the inside of the course on the way back up (mid-stream), judging my effort in the pack is so difficult and I've got so much more to improve technique-wise.
I did the 1500m at Box End this morning. 20:59, 5th male, not sure if that is 5th overall. Course was short though by about 200m.
944fan said:
cookie118 said:
The 250m went fairly well-I set off too fast though and had to briefly breaststroke halfway up to catch my breath, but in the 500m I started off much better and easier and had quite a good race! It was quite cool as we turned at the bottom of the course and then me and 3 others went stroke for stroke up the course before me and another guy pulled away. Then we went together for a while until he pulled away from me, leaving me to sprint into the finish against those catching me up again (I think,it's a bit of a blur!).
It's made me realise though that I have so much to learn!! I cocked up the turn so ended up swimming on the inside of the course on the way back up (mid-stream), judging my effort in the pack is so difficult and I've got so much more to improve technique-wise.
Good work. The pacing and technique comes with doing lots of races. There is some stuff you can work on in the pool but mostly it is finding your style on OW. Once you have done a few the nerves go and you can focus on what you are doing a lot more. You also get the confidence from your swim fitness that you know how hard you can go.It's made me realise though that I have so much to learn!! I cocked up the turn so ended up swimming on the inside of the course on the way back up (mid-stream), judging my effort in the pack is so difficult and I've got so much more to improve technique-wise.
I did the 1500m at Box End this morning. 20:59, 5th male, not sure if that is 5th overall. Course was short though by about 200m.
This time the 250m was 30th/45 in 4:47
And the 500m was 35th/55 in 9:22
Ealier in the week I did a set in the pool of 100-200-300-400-300-200-100, with the 400m in about 7 mins, 200s in 3:25 and 100s in 1:35. I think I'm a bit behind OW-pool but hopefully that gap will close as I get more used to it.
20:59 is shifting a bit! They do a 1500m race at these meetings but I'll have to get better at the 250's and 500's before trying to race that!
Evening. Hopefully this thread might offer some advice.
I have a 2 year old son who has been "swimming" once a week with me for over a year now and he loves it but we need to move on to the next stage. Currently the swim involves playing on the steps, holding onto the side and lane dividers independently, sitting on the edge splashing around, jumping in from the side (to fully submerge and to be brought back to the surface by me) and so on but any "swimming" involves me assisting (holding him up) as he kicks freestyle and arms breast stroke. He now wants to be fully independent but doesn't have the strength to keep himself afloat. What's the PH thoughts on buoyancy aids? Arm rings? Vests? I don't want to innocently go down any learning cul de sacs.
We've not gone down the "lessons" route yet as in my opinion baby lessons are terrible value for money and, also in my opinion, he's not really ready for proper tuition.
Anyway, any pearls of wisdom appreciated. Ta.
I have a 2 year old son who has been "swimming" once a week with me for over a year now and he loves it but we need to move on to the next stage. Currently the swim involves playing on the steps, holding onto the side and lane dividers independently, sitting on the edge splashing around, jumping in from the side (to fully submerge and to be brought back to the surface by me) and so on but any "swimming" involves me assisting (holding him up) as he kicks freestyle and arms breast stroke. He now wants to be fully independent but doesn't have the strength to keep himself afloat. What's the PH thoughts on buoyancy aids? Arm rings? Vests? I don't want to innocently go down any learning cul de sacs.
We've not gone down the "lessons" route yet as in my opinion baby lessons are terrible value for money and, also in my opinion, he's not really ready for proper tuition.
Anyway, any pearls of wisdom appreciated. Ta.
scenario8 said:
Evening. Hopefully this thread might offer some advice.
I have a 2 year old son who has been "swimming" once a week with me for over a year now and he loves it but we need to move on to the next stage. Currently the swim involves playing on the steps, holding onto the side and lane dividers independently, sitting on the edge splashing around, jumping in from the side (to fully submerge and to be brought back to the surface by me) and so on but any "swimming" involves me assisting (holding him up) as he kicks freestyle and arms breast stroke. He now wants to be fully independent but doesn't have the strength to keep himself afloat. What's the PH thoughts on buoyancy aids? Arm rings? Vests? I don't want to innocently go down any learning cul de sacs.
We've not gone down the "lessons" route yet as in my opinion baby lessons are terrible value for money and, also in my opinion, he's not really ready for proper tuition.
Anyway, any pearls of wisdom appreciated. Ta.
Both my kids had lessons with an ASA teacher. I think they started when they were about 3 or 4. Anyway they all started with arm rings to help. I am not sure if this was just because of safety (1 teacher 6/7 kids who can't touch the bottom) or a valid tool. Rather than the inflatable arm bands they had round foam discs. They can be stacked to give greater buoyancy and then slowly removed.I have a 2 year old son who has been "swimming" once a week with me for over a year now and he loves it but we need to move on to the next stage. Currently the swim involves playing on the steps, holding onto the side and lane dividers independently, sitting on the edge splashing around, jumping in from the side (to fully submerge and to be brought back to the surface by me) and so on but any "swimming" involves me assisting (holding him up) as he kicks freestyle and arms breast stroke. He now wants to be fully independent but doesn't have the strength to keep himself afloat. What's the PH thoughts on buoyancy aids? Arm rings? Vests? I don't want to innocently go down any learning cul de sacs.
We've not gone down the "lessons" route yet as in my opinion baby lessons are terrible value for money and, also in my opinion, he's not really ready for proper tuition.
Anyway, any pearls of wisdom appreciated. Ta.
One thing they use all the time (even now for my 8 year old when practicing fly etc) is something called a noddle or woggle. Its a long piece of round foam. It can be wrapped around under the arms etc and gives buoyancy while leaving the arms and legs relatively free.
scenario8 said:
Evening. Hopefully this thread might offer some advice.
I have a 2 year old son who has been "swimming" once a week with me for over a year now and he loves it but we need to move on to the next stage. Currently the swim involves playing on the steps, holding onto the side and lane dividers independently, sitting on the edge splashing around, jumping in from the side (to fully submerge and to be brought back to the surface by me) and so on but any "swimming" involves me assisting (holding him up) as he kicks freestyle and arms breast stroke. He now wants to be fully independent but doesn't have the strength to keep himself afloat. What's the PH thoughts on buoyancy aids? Arm rings? Vests? I don't want to innocently go down any learning cul de sacs.
We've not gone down the "lessons" route yet as in my opinion baby lessons are terrible value for money and, also in my opinion, he's not really ready for proper tuition.
Anyway, any pearls of wisdom appreciated. Ta.
No pearls of wisdom but I am at exactly the same stage with my son - he's two in two weeks' time. I am going to try him with armbands and see how he gets on, purely because I had them when I was a child.I have a 2 year old son who has been "swimming" once a week with me for over a year now and he loves it but we need to move on to the next stage. Currently the swim involves playing on the steps, holding onto the side and lane dividers independently, sitting on the edge splashing around, jumping in from the side (to fully submerge and to be brought back to the surface by me) and so on but any "swimming" involves me assisting (holding him up) as he kicks freestyle and arms breast stroke. He now wants to be fully independent but doesn't have the strength to keep himself afloat. What's the PH thoughts on buoyancy aids? Arm rings? Vests? I don't want to innocently go down any learning cul de sacs.
We've not gone down the "lessons" route yet as in my opinion baby lessons are terrible value for money and, also in my opinion, he's not really ready for proper tuition.
Anyway, any pearls of wisdom appreciated. Ta.
I share your views on lessons and from talking to my sister, whose two toddlers have had them, I don't think they've got further along than we've got taking Eric swimming most Sundays. I honestly wouldn't worry, I didn't swim a width until I was four and did alright in terms of swimming after!
Thanks chaps. I left the thread for a few days as I appreciate it isn't the most visited corner of the web.
Arm bands it is then. My concern was that through ignorance I might have made an error in going down one route over another. If no one seems to know of bio us and serious pitfalls then I doubt I have anything to worry about.
FYI I don't have any concerns about the little man's swimming development. As soon as he's old enough to truly listen to, comply with and learn from a stranger we'll re-visit the lessons approach. Til then he's stuck with me - and loving it!
Arm bands it is then. My concern was that through ignorance I might have made an error in going down one route over another. If no one seems to know of bio us and serious pitfalls then I doubt I have anything to worry about.
FYI I don't have any concerns about the little man's swimming development. As soon as he's old enough to truly listen to, comply with and learn from a stranger we'll re-visit the lessons approach. Til then he's stuck with me - and loving it!
Hi chaps. New to this section.
My story is used to swim quite a lot as a kid and teen but stopped long ago. Love sport, running, football, badminton etc but my knees just don't allow me to participate anymore. However I find front crawl fine for my knees.
Am looking to complete a 10k pool swim late November and currently have done almost 5k without a rest.
How many strokes would you advise before breaths on an endurance event- is there a "good time" was thinking sub 3.30?
. 'My Garmin says my sPm is now 23 & my swolf now 38 started at 40. Though I cannot understand the swolf thing.
Any tips on nutrition? Ps not tried open water swimming not sure I could do it without that tiny break as you turn (don't do tumbles all the time)
Thank you.
My story is used to swim quite a lot as a kid and teen but stopped long ago. Love sport, running, football, badminton etc but my knees just don't allow me to participate anymore. However I find front crawl fine for my knees.
Am looking to complete a 10k pool swim late November and currently have done almost 5k without a rest.
How many strokes would you advise before breaths on an endurance event- is there a "good time" was thinking sub 3.30?
. 'My Garmin says my sPm is now 23 & my swolf now 38 started at 40. Though I cannot understand the swolf thing.
Any tips on nutrition? Ps not tried open water swimming not sure I could do it without that tiny break as you turn (don't do tumbles all the time)
Thank you.
Well it has taken a long time but I finally motivated myself to get back in the pool. Time was tight and it was very full so I had to use the side where the wave machine is and of course it went off during the first 10 minutes. Good preparation for open water though.
I managed 52 lengths in 22 minutes which considering that I last trained properly over 10 months ago was OK. My shoulders will be painful tomorrow though.
I managed 52 lengths in 22 minutes which considering that I last trained properly over 10 months ago was OK. My shoulders will be painful tomorrow though.
I went for a swim this morning and I'm pathetic.
I just get knackered straight away, worst is on breast stroke, super slow and I could feel my chest muscles aching after 50 or so m.
Just practice and swim more is it to build it up, my general level of fitness is pretty good I'd say, surprised myself how poor I was!
I just get knackered straight away, worst is on breast stroke, super slow and I could feel my chest muscles aching after 50 or so m.
Just practice and swim more is it to build it up, my general level of fitness is pretty good I'd say, surprised myself how poor I was!
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff