I have been swimming freestyle only workouts since I gave up competitive swimming 30 yrs. ago. At the time I was a fairly competitive High School Breaststroker ( 1:10 @ 100yds. ). This was before the new style stroke with the old fashion frog kick etc. My question is, I would like to get faster again at breaststroke....do I need to change my whole stroke to fit the " New " style or is there some combination of old and new styles that I could combine to fit my less than gumby like self. I guess I am just trying to figure out where to start again. At the time I am training alone but will be looking to join a team soon. I have seen a lot of masters swimmers who are swimming as fast or faster than when they were younger. I would like to join them. thanks, Paul
The best training advice I can give is to buy Dave Denniston's instructional videos on breaststroke. One is a breaststroke turns and pullouts video, broken down into 5 or 6 straightforward steps. The other is a drill video with helpful technical advice.
The videos can be found on goswim.tv, and are produced by Glenn Mills, 1980 Olympic breaststroker and all-around good guy. Davo has a very sound, fluid breaststroke, and the fastest open turns I've ever seen. He and Stacianna Stitts Winfield also do a drill and stroke video for a great 3-DVD breaststroke library.
http://www.goswim.tv
I'm not sure if it's still in force, but for a while all proceeds from the DVD sales were going directly to Dave Denniston, who is undergoing physical rehabilitation for a severe spinal cord injury. The man has incredible force of will, and a sense of humor as well. See davedenniston.com for more info.
http://www.davedenniston.com
Check out "www.breastroke.info" especially Wayne's article " What went Right with the Wave Breaststroke". I think that while the undulation provides some propulsion,the big advances over 'flat" breaststroke are not flexing at the hip on recovering the legs and having the head under water during the kick. Keeping your head neutral at all times(don't raise your head to breathe) is also important. Do these and you will probably be faster than in High School as soon as you get in shape.
Thanks for the tips Allen...Great site lots of good info. Looks like I can change my stroke around enough to get faster without cfompletely changing it. Thanks. Paul
