Hi all,
It's so funny--sometimes I see people at the pool who really go at it with the kickboard...and then other people wouldn't touch one if their life depended upon it.
I'll admit, I don't use one--mainly becuase I'm impatient, feel like I'm not going anywhere, and am a purist to a fault sometimes.
But, if you think that it's worthwhile, I would incoporate it, all for the sake of improvement.
The great questions are:
Will training with a kickboard make me a better, faster, super awesome swimmer?
And, if you train with one--why? Or, why not?
Thanks everybody (you know you're my outlet!)
JoAnne -aka, Jerrycat ;)
Parents
Former Member
Ion,
I am impressed that you can do 50M kick sets on 55. A few years back I could do that, but I was going a 23 in the 50 M free then. You weren't kidding when you said that you have a strong kick.
I think that you made some great observations, but I would like to take them a step farther (further? I never know which one).
WHen you said that kicking with a board allows you to concentrate on your lower body and forgetting about upper body, you are dead on. However that is the reason that you want to practice WITHOUT a board. You need to develop enough propultion kicking without a board that it too feels natural and comfortable.
Kicking with a board is great exercise and it is a good for swimmers to do. However, I would compare it to running. A great thing to do, but won't necessarily help your technique.
One last thing, who was the South African swimmer who was actually the best sprinter in the world in the late 80's. I think he went a 22.0 in the 50 but his WR wasn't recognized.
Ion,
I am impressed that you can do 50M kick sets on 55. A few years back I could do that, but I was going a 23 in the 50 M free then. You weren't kidding when you said that you have a strong kick.
I think that you made some great observations, but I would like to take them a step farther (further? I never know which one).
WHen you said that kicking with a board allows you to concentrate on your lower body and forgetting about upper body, you are dead on. However that is the reason that you want to practice WITHOUT a board. You need to develop enough propultion kicking without a board that it too feels natural and comfortable.
Kicking with a board is great exercise and it is a good for swimmers to do. However, I would compare it to running. A great thing to do, but won't necessarily help your technique.
One last thing, who was the South African swimmer who was actually the best sprinter in the world in the late 80's. I think he went a 22.0 in the 50 but his WR wasn't recognized.
