I am by no means a natural backstroker (my backstroke is my slowest stroke by a good 2-3 seconds per 50m). I have now twice swum a 5K open water swim breaststroke and have decided to do the same swim next year backstroke. (Why? because I can't yet swim a 5K fly and freestyle bores me. :)
So...
1. When I swim back, I find I want to breathe in time with my arms. I generally breathe out every time an arm hits the water. This obviously leads to a nearly panting breathing rhythm. I am a musician in my spare time and find that breathing at a natural rhythm in my backstroke makes my arms want to line up with that rhythm (thereby getting slower). How do backstrokers breathe, anyhow?
2. What should the pull be like underwater?
3. What one thing is likely to improve my speed? (I know you haven't seen me swim backstroke, but picture a graduate of a typical 'learn to swim' program and you're pretty much accurate. :)
Thanks,
Heather, wannabe backstroker (up to 800m continuous backstroke)
Parents
Former Member
Here is my question. A 5K back sounds great, is it outside open swimming? How do you intend to maintain direction since most new backstrokers have this common skill in the elementary stage, mostly due to crossing the midline of the body when pulling... If it's indoors rock on!
That's my question, too. I began open water swimming two years ago, and have not yet mastered swimming backstroke in open water because I get too dizzy! How do you do it?
If I look at the sky (keeping my head back, which keeps my hips up) then I get dizzy . If I "spot" by looking at a landmark opposite to where I am going, then I don't get dizzy, but my hips drop and my stroke goes to **heck**.
Any open water backstrokers have any solutions?
Here is my question. A 5K back sounds great, is it outside open swimming? How do you intend to maintain direction since most new backstrokers have this common skill in the elementary stage, mostly due to crossing the midline of the body when pulling... If it's indoors rock on!
That's my question, too. I began open water swimming two years ago, and have not yet mastered swimming backstroke in open water because I get too dizzy! How do you do it?
If I look at the sky (keeping my head back, which keeps my hips up) then I get dizzy . If I "spot" by looking at a landmark opposite to where I am going, then I don't get dizzy, but my hips drop and my stroke goes to **heck**.
Any open water backstrokers have any solutions?
