Are flip turns all that fast when you consider how much oxygen they take up??.I have found that I am more able to swim at a regular tempo by doing "open" turns, than trying to do flip turns, which always put me out of my regular breathing pattern.:(
I'll put this bluntly - without a flip turn, you can't hope to be competitive.
With the possible exception of 80+ age groups........
Hope to find out some day.:) That is, of course, assuming I can't still manage a flip turn at that point in life.
Jim
My flip turns have to be the worst that anybody could witness.Basically,I get my balance all wrong as soon as I try to bend and bring my feet over my head.Then I end up on my side with my feet barely making contact with the wall.:mad:
I do open turns because my back injury precludes flip turns. Although I have a fast open turn, I get eaten alive by the flip turn people. So, yes, flip turns are significantly faster. Definately worth the practice.
-LBJ
Originally posted by mark_varney47
My flip turns have to be the worst that anybody could witness.
Just make sure to practice, practice, practice! With time you'll get better and they'll become much faster. Plus I feel that with a flip turn I'm not losing the momento of my swim, they don't interrupt my pace. Plus, they're fun!!!
There is a pretty good article with diagrams over at H20ustonswims.org. Go to the article section and read the article called "Slim and Darrell" or something along those lines. It has some decent diagrams that help explain the proper technique.
I'll see if I can get the url and then will paste it here.
UPDATE:
There is not a direct link to the article. Here is the url for the site:
http://www.h2oustonswims.org/
The article is titled "Slim and Darrell (or Faster Flip Turns for the Masses)"
Flip turns are definitely worth the effort. Once mastered, you will probably not want to go back to open turns - I didn't!
There are several good articles in about.swimming.com on flip turning. One concept starts with standing in the pool and learning how to tumble over, then stand back up. Once you get your orientation, work on quicker movements, then start moving toward the wall.
Another piece of advice given to me, don't try to do it all at once. Separate the parts of the turn, adding as you go, such as flipping, planting your feet, releasing and streamlining. Good Luck!
I learned flip turns in one day (please don't hate me) I guess it has to do with the fact that I used to be a gymnast so I have good spacial relationships with things. Knowing where to initiate the flip turn is the key, I think. I used to freak out about doing them in the shallow end, but if you roll yourself into a tight ball, you can clear the bottom.
I think they definitely do save time, and plus you get this big thrust off the wall. For me, they are the reward at the end of a lap too - makes me feel like a water mermaid princess, thin, graceful girl for a moment....
I do experience water going into my left ear when I do my barrel roll but wearing an ear plug in that ear remedies this.
Originally posted by mbriones
For me, they are the reward at the end of a lap too - makes me feel like a water mermaid princess, thin, graceful girl for a moment....
Yeah Marian, I think we've all been there!
:eek:
