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learning how to swim

  • 18-07-2008 9:49am
    #1
    hot fuss
    Closed Accounts Posts: 421 ✭✭


    Just wondering if anyone has any advice for me. I've signed up for a mini triathlon in 8 weeks time where the swim is going to be 300 metres. I am just learning how to swim the front crawl so am starting from scratch and have had two sessions in the pool this week so far. I only learnt the stroke the other day so obviously I'm still not technically proficient at it so I'd say I'm wasting energy by overuse of legs and not exhaling properly under water, but am finding it very tough. I can just about swim 40 metres at the moment but am wrecked at the end.

    Does anyone have any advice on how I should be gradually building this up? Just go in and do as many lengths as I can? I'm planning on at least 3 sessions a week and hoping to build it up that way over the 8 weeks.


Comments

  • #2
    Money Shot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 603 ✭✭✭Money Shot


    Might be worth having this moved or posting over in the sports Swimming forum. I've got some great advice over there and you should pick up some tips even just going through the old threads.


  • #3
    jon1981
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,359 ✭✭✭jon1981


    hot fuss wrote: »
    Just wondering if anyone has any advice for me. I've signed up for a mini triathlon in 8 weeks time where the swim is going to be 300 metres. I am just learning how to swim the front crawl so am starting from scratch and have had two sessions in the pool this week so far. I only learnt the stroke the other day so obviously I'm still not technically proficient at it so I'd say I'm wasting energy by overuse of legs and not exhaling properly under water, but am finding it very tough. I can just about swim 40 metres at the moment but am wrecked at the end.

    Does anyone have any advice on how I should be gradually building this up? Just go in and do as many lengths as I can? I'm planning on at least 3 sessions a week and hoping to build it up that way over the 8 weeks.

    out of interest have you details on the triathlon? ive been interested in maybe doing an entry level one for the experience.


  • #4
    hot fuss
    Closed Accounts Posts: 421 ✭✭hot fuss


    Thanks for that, I didn't realise there was a swimming forum. I'll hot foot it over there now..

    This is it..

    http://www.runireland.com/events/loughrea-triathlon-festival-day-1-0


  • #5
    BossArky
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 9,586 Mod ✭✭✭✭BossArky


    A wet suit will make a massive difference in the water. This will allow you to focus all your efforts on going forwards as opposed to staying afloat.


  • #6
    hot fuss
    Closed Accounts Posts: 421 ✭✭hot fuss


    Yeah, I'm going to wear a wetsuit for the tri swim and maybe try a few sea swims before the actual tri too, but think I'll stick to my togs for my local swimming pool!!


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  • #7
    jon1981
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,359 ✭✭✭jon1981


    BossArky wrote: »
    A wet suit will make a massive difference in the water. This will allow you to focus all your efforts on going forwards as opposed to staying afloat.

    how so? do they trap an air bubble around the mid back region that aids floatation?


  • #8
    BossArky
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 9,586 Mod ✭✭✭✭BossArky


    Neoprene material is filled with bubbles of gas. Besides providing insulation these bubbles give neoprene incredible buoyancy.

    You can float in a wetsuit because the neoprene lifts you into a higher position in the water. In this higher position you displace less water. It also gives you the added bonus of being able to swim faster.


  • #9
    jon1981
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,359 ✭✭✭jon1981


    BossArky wrote: »
    Neoprene material is filled with bubbles of gas. Besides providing insulation these bubbles give neoprene incredible buoyancy.

    You can float in a wetsuit because the neoprene lifts you into a higher position in the water. In this higher position you displace less water. It also gives you the added bonus of being able to swim faster.

    ah right i see, was curious, i have a full neoprene suit i use for windsurfing, never really thought about its uses in swimming.


  • #10
    entropi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭entropi


    If you are doing 2-3 sessions a week thats a good start already, practice makes perfect as they say. While helping a mate to learn during the college year just gone i had him doing up to 15m a time until his stamina improved ovefr a month or two, but we only had an hour a week to practice. He can do numerous lengths now unaided.

    The swimming forum might be a good idea to check out alright, and you should focus on your FC technique more than trying to sort out a breathing pattern for the moment, thats a little more advanced than you actually need right now.Build up the amound you swim each week if you can, focus on a set amount to complete and believe you can do it, motivation is a great asset.


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