This last month has been awesome for me. Nothing is more satisfying than helping others swim my favorite stroke faster.
I was first surprised when I opened my mail box and opened the latest copy of American Swimming Magazine. The ASCA Coaches published my article "Is the Grab Start Dead in US Swimming".
Then I started getting emails from dozens of age group swimmers, every day. Since the swimmers don't get American Swimming Magazine I was left wondering where the sudden activity was coming from. I usually get a couple a day, but suddenly I was getting dozens of emails and even phone calls!
So today a did a google search of my name, just to see what is up. You should all try it, sometimes you find things you want, other times you find things you don't.
Anyways I found a link to one of the most important swim clubs in the USA, North Baltimore Aquatic Club. You know home of a certain Michael Phelps. There on their main page (www.nbac.net/Default.htm) was a link to the Speedo Swim Tip of the week. In this week’s Speedo Tip of the Week, Terry Laughlin of Total Immersion Swimming writes about streamlining your breaststroke. He talks about masters Coach Wayne McCauley’s site on the breaststroke and how he implemented it to improve his team
I was blown away. To have my ideas and articles mentioned in a Speedo Swim Tip of the week was so cool.
So the mystery was explained. I do love this sport of swimming!
It is also a hard time in my life, I am one of many managers in a 400 Million dollar power plant project, and I seem to be spending my entire life at work. I have not swam a single day this year. .:mad:
But at least I can think and do some writing about swimming.
Wayne:
I saw your article this past Monday on the USA Swimming website. It was on the front page for the Speedo tip of the week. Terry Laughlin of TI and the Hawks Swimming Association in NY incorporates some drills to improve the skills of his swimmers in breastroke from the article you wrote. If you go there now they have the week in review on the front page but will probably take it down next week. Congratulations on the article.
Not to turn this into the Ask Wayne forum, though isn't that a great idea? But I printed an article of yours on how to improve breaststroke. It's so frustrating for me. I'd have a great IM (ok, decent) if I could figure the dang breaststroke out. I've got a fine build for it and great flexibility but it just doesn't happen. Whenever my teammates swims IM behind me (and we are about the same in fly and then I take over on back and she passes me on *** and I catch her on free) she always says its so painful for me to swim breaststroke behind you. My pull is ok (could use work but the idea is there) my kick however is dreadful. I go nowhere. I don't get nearly the power I should but am looking for tips/drills/magic to improve this (especially before my next 200 IM). I have knee together issues apparently (though it's not nearly as drastic as it used to be) and I just don't have the power. I'm pretty strong, so I know it's not a strenght issue. Please help!
SwiminONandON,
First read my articles on www.breaststroke.info. Also look at the photos under other peoples articles, if you can try that first. Then email me direct for more specific advice. It is nearly impossible to coach the kick over the internet.
Congrats Wayne!! That is so awesome! Thanks for sharing it with us. I am very sorry to hear about the fact that your job is taking up so much of your time though.....I hope you are making top dollar for all of that time and sacrifice....i.e. somewhere in that 400 mil I hope your getting your just cut!
Newmastersswimmer
p.s. I will read the article and get back with you about it b/c I NEED to improve my breaststroke BIG time as part of my IM races!
