Hi there - recently discovered my love for swimming at the ripe age of 31 and am currently enrolled in lessons with the hopes of joining a LMSC this Fall (not sure which one yet, but have narrowed it down to 3).
long story short, I went from couch potato to triathlete almost overnight in 2009 and now absolutely love triathlons, but a recent stress fracture had me sidelined for the last 8 weeks and so I have done nothing but swim and have really enjoyed it as much if not more than cycling and certainly more so than running.
I'm okay with freestyle, but I had never even attempted any of the other strokes (nor diving, nor flipturns), so I bought a package of lessons and now am working on form and technique.... just figured I'd start posting in a swim specific message board to pick up on some lingo and workouts... so, um, hi!
Thanks so much... if there are any people in the NYC area, I've narrowed it down to 3 teams:
Red Tide http://www.redtidenyc.org/
AGUA www.aguamasters.org/Home.jsp
Bearcats http://www.bearcatmasters.org/
any comments/thoughts?
Also, please be gentle but I'd love some critique of the following videos my instructor took on Monday:
dive/flipturn (both of which I just learned the day before): https://vimeo.com/44741285
freestyle (just learned how to bilateral breathe so a little slow): https://vimeo.com/44740905
backstroke (now know to only keep my arms straight above water, need more of a pull under water): https://vimeo.com/44741201
my *** and fly strokes are pretty horrendous but gradually getting better - I find that using fins helps me get in a rhythm with the fly and practicing these water polo water treading drills helps with the snappy kick in the *** stroke, but it's still a work in progress.
thanks!
Rachelle -
You may want to post a separate question about teams in the NY area. That should get the attention of the swimmers in the area. If you want to move to Texas, I can give you a lot of advice.
I watched you videos. I think everything looks great for someone just starting competitive swimming. I would suggest that you start with a team sooner rather than later. Your turns will improve with every one that you do. Your strokes will improve as you strengthen the muscles involved and you will be able to feel how differences in your stroke affect your times on sets.
The skills you have now are sufficient to fit in at a masters workout. You can do that and continue your instruction if you want to work on technique - but I think you are ready to start now.
Thanks so much... if there are any people in the NYC area, I've narrowed it down to 3 teams:
Red Tide http://www.redtidenyc.org/
AGUA www.aguamasters.org/Home.jsp
Bearcats http://www.bearcatmasters.org/
any comments/thoughts?
Also, please be gentle but I'd love some critique of the following videos my instructor took on Monday:
dive/flipturn (both of which I just learned the day before): https://vimeo.com/44741285
freestyle (just learned how to bilateral breathe so a little slow): https://vimeo.com/44740905
backstroke (now know to only keep my arms straight above water, need more of a pull under water): https://vimeo.com/44741201
my *** and fly strokes are pretty horrendous but gradually getting better - I find that using fins helps me get in a rhythm with the fly and practicing these water polo water treading drills helps with the snappy kick in the *** stroke, but it's still a work in progress.
thanks!
Rachelle -
You may want to post a separate question about teams in the NY area. That should get the attention of the swimmers in the area. If you want to move to Texas, I can give you a lot of advice.
I watched you videos. I think everything looks great for someone just starting competitive swimming. I would suggest that you start with a team sooner rather than later. Your turns will improve with every one that you do. Your strokes will improve as you strengthen the muscles involved and you will be able to feel how differences in your stroke affect your times on sets.
The skills you have now are sufficient to fit in at a masters workout. You can do that and continue your instruction if you want to work on technique - but I think you are ready to start now.
