alright, here's a more casual topic.
i keep trying, but my legs sink like rocks.
any advice?
is it possible for everyone to float on their back? or do some people not have it in them?
Former Member
Your legs are always going to sink in the water, especiall when you are still. Try floating on your back with some forward momentum going, a small amount will work. Like sculling with your arms to make you go forward. Staying perfectly still they are going to sink the second you are still. I learned that going through lifeguard training, and you will position your rescues around that fact that the legs are going to sink first. Though I always found that little kids are experts at it with swim lessons. Hmmm ask a little kid??? :cool:
Kel,
Actually, I've found that most adults are capable of doing a stationary horizontal float in full streamline position on front or back. What is required is to keep the head precisely on the spine line and to lean on the "buoy" (lungs). Some people can do it on the first try and others go through a long learning curve to achieve the position - but once they have, their confidence in being able to get and stay balanced while swimming goes way up.
I used to think I couldn't float, but my diving coach (*** Pappenguth - some older swimmers may remember him) showed me over 40 years ago that all you have to do is slowly balance your weight on both sides of your lungs. That may mean raising your fingertips out of the water with your arms straight overhead to get more weight in the upper half of your body. Really simple, and anyone with normal lung capacity ought to be able to do it.
