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Underwaters as you get older - How many, and can you improve on them?

67King

So I took up swimming as an adult, and I've been at it I think about 7 years, now.  COVID screwed it all up, I've not been the same since.  That point notwithstanding, I am wondering if anyone anywhere near my age is able to do underwaters well?  I'm 50.  If I'm doing more than a 50, I just can't continue to do more than 2-3 before I need to breathe.  Somewhat recently started training with a team.  One of the coaches who jsut wrapped up his collegiate career was encouraging/pushing me on some fly reps, with reduced breathing.  Was able to exceed his goal on the first rep.  Second I met it.  Then I was done.

Which has me wondering.....have I been selling myself short on 100's, 200's, etc. of free when I'm training?  I've just assumed that, given my age, there is no way to improve on underwaters.  I've tried, but just can't seem to.  So I'm wondering.....is my inability a mental block, or am I just too old to be able to do it?  The collegiate coach hasn't been around old guys, and he is a stellar athlete, so I'm not sure if his expectations are unrealistic, or I just lack teh confidence.

Anyone here able to knock out a decent number of underwaters on anything longer than a 50?  Has anyone wokred on improving them, and if you did, how did you do that?

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  • In my 60s, I was able to build my udk capacity when swimming solo by swimming 1-5 udk 25s on tummy or back with about a 30-45 sec rest between and often with fins. But, never pushing too long underwater if I needed air id come up. I think it helped develop udk technique and comfort. When i stopped solo and began to swim at team practices, i pretty much followed Allan's method for some of the short sets of 50s or 100s when motivated.

    In races i could go 3-4 udk for start and for 2-3 turns. In a 200 it was a tradeoff between needing air and whatever advantage was gained from 2-4 udks. After turn at 75 or maybe 100 i would go back to short underwater flutter kick to surface and was pretty much convinced air was the better option at that point.              

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  • In my 60s, I was able to build my udk capacity when swimming solo by swimming 1-5 udk 25s on tummy or back with about a 30-45 sec rest between and often with fins. But, never pushing too long underwater if I needed air id come up. I think it helped develop udk technique and comfort. When i stopped solo and began to swim at team practices, i pretty much followed Allan's method for some of the short sets of 50s or 100s when motivated.

    In races i could go 3-4 udk for start and for 2-3 turns. In a 200 it was a tradeoff between needing air and whatever advantage was gained from 2-4 udks. After turn at 75 or maybe 100 i would go back to short underwater flutter kick to surface and was pretty much convinced air was the better option at that point.              

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