I have quite a few...bear with me, I'm new and oh so cute!
1. I have a major issue with my goggles. I'm on my 3rd pair this semester, and they fit the best of all I've tried, but I have a real issue getting proper suction over both eyes. Do I have an odd shaped face or something? What can I do to fix this?
2. I recently learned how to do a flip turn, and I do blow out my nose when I do this, but I still get water up there. Tips on fixing this?
3. Fins and hand paddles. What's the deal? When are they worth an investment?
4. Come on...tell me...does the Butterfly EVER get any easier? I got the kick down pat, I can do the stroke, but god help me should I put them together...
Former Member
Have you went to BBC Sport Academy Swimming Masterclasses website? Hickman is on there and he explains the butterfly quite well. Plus, I love his cute accent.
Originally posted by Rob Copeland
Bee,
The thing with goggles is not the suction but the seal. What you want to do is find goggles that seal comfortably without eye popping suction.
Proper fitting goggles start with being the correct size for the bridge of your nose. Too narrow or too wide and you will get leakage at the corners of your eyes. If you’re having trouble finding a pair that fit, get a pair with an adjustable nose piece.
As for nasal ingestion of water on turns, there are always nose plugs. Otherwise, keep tinkering with slow and steady exhalation. Also, as you begin to turn faster, you will spend less time inverted, needing to exhale. It will get better, with practice.
Fins and paddles are training aids, just like kickboards, pull buoys, etc. I use mine and feel they are well worth the investment.
And butterfly… Hey, if you have the kick down pat, then you a light years ahead of most swimmers. The kick is a huge part of butterfly. Once you get the timing of the arms down, you’ll be doing an effortless fly, like Ian Crocker, in no time.
With my goggles, I don't have an issue with leakage by the corners, but underneath. They don't reseal properly if I lift them onto my forehead midworkout. I've had two pairs of speedos, and now I have a pair of Arenas-I like these the best so far. I tried them in the store, and they were fine. Maybe I should try goggles on with a cap in future ;)
It was quite a nice surprise to find out I can do a dolphin kick effortlessly. Of course, I added in the stroke, and it went to hell. Is there particular timing? Stroke and kick, stroke then kick, stroke then two kicks?
Oh...do breaststrokers do a flipturn? And why can't I keep my body going in a straight line when I swim backstroke?
(In case you can't tell, when I join a masters team, I'm looking towards fly, breaststroke and IM. Anything that gets me out of doing free as a race.)
