I really struggle with front crawl, like I’m reasonably fit but I can barely do a length without running out of breath or inhaling water at some point. My daughter is in the swimming team and has tried to teach me but I just can’t seem to get it right. Might have to try some swimming lessons.
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I seem to have a heavy midriff even though i’m slim. my arms and legs keep me afloat with lots of effort but my middle pulls me down.
I’m missing some technique somewhere and it’s annoying. I was scared to swim out in an Italian Lake last year because the bottom disappeared instantly. I forced myself to swim out after an hour just before we left but I was so disappointed in myself.
Water is the only thing that I get a little afraid of.
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Swimming is mostly rhythm and timing. When I haven’t swum for a while I usually lose the rhythm and end up compensating by going too fast to try and stay afloat. Slow it down and work on feeling it out for a bit.
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You’re breathing out with your face in the water right? And rotating your head to the side to breathe in? Like alternating 3 strokes breathing out looking down at the bottom, 1 stroke deep breath in looking to whichever side is opposite your leading arm.
I used to run out of breath real bad on front crawl as I used to try breathing in and out with my face above water. Taking my kids to swimming lessons was an absolute game changer. Bit embarrassing I didn’t work it out myself actually.
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This is a video of swimming I want to see
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I swim in the sea pretty much every day. Do a mile each time. I will do some proper distance when I feel like it. The only problem I have with swimming is getting bored so I can do an hour and a half then I’m getting over it.
Figure out your breathing. I do a rhythm of one breath, stroke, one breath, stroke, breath, two strokes repeat. It’s like a mantra. Can’t do bi-lateral breathing and can only cock my head to the right. Breathe in through your mouth and out through both mouth and nose. Keep your body horizontal in the water. I see so many people, men especially, vertical in the water, swinging their head back and forth along with flailing arms. It’s not going to get you anywhere other than tired out and not buoyant with that ‘technique’.
Going slowly is key to begin with. Getting out of breath is common due to people trying to go too fast. You’ll find a rhythm that suits so that you can breathe comfortably and not need to fill your lungs fully. One doesn’t do that running. Just try and breathe normally. Not necessarily shallowly but not gulping air in.
Engaging your hips helps, like twisting a little laterally when reaching forward with your arms makes things smoother and expends less energy giving more forward propulsion for less effort. Two kicks for each arm stroke as a rule if not trying to get out through surf or sprint is a good way to go.
I find for the first few minutes my mind races, so I generally start to think about what I’m going to make for dinner and how I’m going to do it. By the time that’s done I will have dropped into a rhythm that I don’t consciously think about, my mind empties and it’s like meditating.
Like most things, swimming is like skating, the more you do it the easier it becomes. You’ll hone your technique over time. One thing that will make swimming more fun, stronger and safer is getting some swim fins - Da Fin Hawaii are my go to. Also, if you aren’t a strong or confident swimmer don’t swim out from the shore, swim parallel with it. Over the years I have rescued quite a few people, some of whom would definitely have drowned had I not pulled them out. You only get one chance fucking up in the water, if the conditions look sketchy to you, if you are in doubt, don’t go out. You can always go tomorrow.
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A goofy breather. Need to practice that switch breath. I am the same though. Right side only. Weird.
I saw a youtube video ages ago about how Ian Thorpe sort of revolutionsed the sport by taking far fewer strokes than the other guys and actually gliding more. I always keep that in my head and it seems to help. Not trying to paddle like a loon. Basically what you said.
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Fins definitely help with the glide.
Some top tips there, I think I try and breathe like I’m running, full breaths in and out.
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Cheers, good tips there. I will keep trying. This isn’t even in the sea, just a pool. It feels like a technique thing rather than strength. My breathing is all over the place as well. Can only do half a length and kind of run out of speed.
I sucked at front crawl until I realised I was kicking far too much and knackering myself. Switch to a ‘two beat’ kick. It sorted my front crawl out and I no longer felt like I was dying after one 50m length of a pool. It feels a bit like climbing a ladder - every time a hand extends out on front of you, and just at the point you just start to pull it back through the water under you, you do one controlled kick with the leg on the same side of the body as the hand pulling. Your body will naturally right itself straight with the kick, ready to repeat the action with the other side of your body. Here’s a vid that explains it better:
it feels weird at first, but once you get the timing you are sorted.
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I’m going to chime in on swimming advice. If I’m in a pool I can do a 25m length in one breath (never smoked, and generally I’m quite fit) but that’s not particularly ideal and I want to swim ‘properly’. I also want fix my synchronisation/coordination so I’m breathing after every few strokes. Is it basically a case of any time the head is under water you’re exhaling?
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I’ve just been for a swim and paid it some mind whilst swimming.
I turn my head and take a breath, face down, stroke with right arm, then left arm, all the time exhaling. Repeat. Then take a breath, face down, hold breath, right arm stroke, left arm stroke, slowly exhale on the next right arm stroke, left arm stroke, then take a breath. Repeat above ad infinitum. Breath, exhale on the 1-2, breath, exhale on the 1-2, breath hold 1-2, exhale 1-2. Breath.
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Yes, for freestyle you should be breathing out through your nose constantly as soon as you turn your head back into the water, so by the time you get to your next breath, your lungs have the space to take in air. You get less tired if you are breathing constantly. I breathe every 3 or 5 strokes in freestyle if I’m alternating which side I take a breath on, and exhailng through my nose to match how many strokes between breaths.
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Work put on a free booze event with food and afternoon off. Didnt get drunk, had a lovely time but sunburnt the shit out of my head
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Mike Arghnold
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The SS Grant Brittain
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Heath Seachart
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