Hi, I'm a student at UNH and a marine biology major. I'm trying to get myself ready for a swim test I'll have to take at the beginning of the upcoming semester to get into a scuba class I want to take. The test is:
- 8 laps (16 lengths) in roughly 8-9 minutes
- treading water for about 15 minutes
- dragging someone your weight or more across the length of the pool
- swimming the length of the pool once without coming up for air
Now, I haven't been swimming for a while, and I managed the 8 laps the other day but it took way too long. I don't know if people have suggestions for improving swimming times, what kind of strokes are the faster and less taxing on the body, etc. I know sidestroke is a good stroke for me but my neck muscles are a bit weak so it'll get taxing after a while. Any feedback at all would be appreciated...
~ Carrie
Parents
Former Member
Though this is mostly a repeat...
First set down and work on technique. You'd be amazed about how much time will come off with longer pulls and a strong kick. Flips turns are anohter huge time saver. As suggested...recuirt a friend who is a swimmer or see if a local YMCA has an advanced swim lesson class or stroke and turn clinic coming up. I also learned a GREAT deal by watching other swimmers. Trust me...you can tell who has good tech and who doesn't without nothing a whole lot about it.
I would them recommend some interval training. It will help with your speed endurance.
For treading water...build up to it. For the test I would do a breastroke or egg beater kick, but in practicing I would try some with a flutter and bicycle kick to gain some strength.
For the underwater swim...some helpful hints from a lifeguard who has to do this at least once a year (it makes me breakout in hives everytime since it is sooo hard for me) sing Happy Birthday in your head as you swim, look straight at the bottom, get as much distance of the dive as possible, if you aren't an experienced swimmer use breastroke kicks and full pull downs, get the glide of it and move to the next stroke quickly, and when you are ready to come up...shallow/gulp (with you mouth closed of course) and you should be able to get one more full pull and kick out.
Hope this all helps...Good Luck!!
Though this is mostly a repeat...
First set down and work on technique. You'd be amazed about how much time will come off with longer pulls and a strong kick. Flips turns are anohter huge time saver. As suggested...recuirt a friend who is a swimmer or see if a local YMCA has an advanced swim lesson class or stroke and turn clinic coming up. I also learned a GREAT deal by watching other swimmers. Trust me...you can tell who has good tech and who doesn't without nothing a whole lot about it.
I would them recommend some interval training. It will help with your speed endurance.
For treading water...build up to it. For the test I would do a breastroke or egg beater kick, but in practicing I would try some with a flutter and bicycle kick to gain some strength.
For the underwater swim...some helpful hints from a lifeguard who has to do this at least once a year (it makes me breakout in hives everytime since it is sooo hard for me) sing Happy Birthday in your head as you swim, look straight at the bottom, get as much distance of the dive as possible, if you aren't an experienced swimmer use breastroke kicks and full pull downs, get the glide of it and move to the next stroke quickly, and when you are ready to come up...shallow/gulp (with you mouth closed of course) and you should be able to get one more full pull and kick out.
Hope this all helps...Good Luck!!
