Thanks to all who responded to my other post...don't stop! I appreciate what you all have to say, even if it's the same as everyone else.
I think I have a good idea of what you all think about my question, but I'm slow and I like numbers, so this poll is just an addition to my original post.
The question, again, is - can I, a beginning swimmer, benefit from shaving down in order to get a better feel for the water and be more aware of my movements in the water? A former swimmer / good friend suggested I do this.
Thanks in advance for your continued response.
Former Member
I find that shaving produces a distinctly different feel from unshaved. But it quickly becomes "normal" and stops feeling "different." The different feel is part of the reason it helps during competition.
I may be missing something - but for me shaving mostly makes me fell faster, more slippery throught the water. My hands and arms don't feel much different pulling underwater and it doesn't do anything to help me keep my elbow high. It doesn't help my breathing or my shoulder rotation.
I say it is a waste of time and a bit of a distraction from the improvements in technique you should be concentrating on.
Originally posted by aztimm
For the time and effort invested, I will never do it again.
Unless you start out looking like Robin Williams, how much time does it take? :) I'd say you can shave down in an hour or two.
For a new swimmer, I'd concentrate on technique for right now.
I'll agree with that!
I think your friend is playing a practical joke.
Will it lessen the time it takes to become a competitive swimmer? That would be the required result.
I sincerely doubt it. Your better off saving it for your first taper.
You don't sound comfortable with the idea. Is your friend pressuring you to do this but you don't really want to? In that case, just say "no, I don't want to do that." Any friend should respect your choice.
If you're reasonably comfortable with giving it a try, I can't imagine it would do any harm. It might or might not help, and hair grows back, so it's not a permanent decision. If it turns out not to help, you can always tell your friend "I told you so." :p
I will agree with what others have said: Shaving works for everyone but more for "experienced" swimmers. It is not just mental.
It is typical in college to have a mid-season taper/shave meet. For the week or so after the shave, my practice times were unreal (for me).
Personally, I don't see the point at the level you are at. You are going to make improvements without the shaving because you are a newbie. You need to think more about the technique of learning to swim, and shaving is not going to help that greatly. When swimmers shave for their tapered meets, they are trying to eek out 10ths, or even 100ths.
Sun Devil,
I think shaving would benefit you, but only as part of a bigger plan.
Shaving is the last element to put an edge on your preparation for a big meet. By itself, it's pointless. Remember the goal is to swim your fastest time, not simply shave because it feels cool (and makes your friends and family think you are a weirdo).
You should start, now, with a plan to compete in a big meet in August where your goal is to swim your fastest times. Whether it's FINA Worlds (however, you are unlikely to have a qualifying time for those), or some other regional meet, big one as your target. You should have a training plan to get yourself into top condition for that meet, and you should keep your commitment to do the workouts in the next few weeks to be prepared for that meet. There is no substitute for being in shape and preparation. Talk to your coach about your training plan, and about your "taper" starting a week or two before the meet. (And if you're a beginner without a team or coach, focus on that and forget about shaving for a meet). If you get yourself into your best shape, prepare specifically for the events you will swim, then back off your training as part of an organized taper, shaving for a meet will feel different, and the overall package will lead to some phenominal times for you.
I say again, shaving by itself is pointless.
Matt
P.S. I find a new Aquablade/Fastskin competition swim suit is a reasonable substitute for shaving, and I prefer to use one of them instead.
For an experienced swimmer, the sensation you get from shaving down is one a kind. Yes, you do have a heightened feel for the water, but my gut instinct is this wouldn't be the case for a beginner. Also keep in mind even experience swimmers only shave down a couple times a year. If this heightened feel for the water really improved your technique I think swimmers would stay shaved down throughout the season.
Originally posted by aztimm
I really don't understand what all the hype is about.
I disagree with this. Shaving does make you swim faster. I guess I should really say tapering and shaving makes a difference. I've never done one and not the other, so it's difficult to know how much each one is contributing. Anyway, the real question here isn't about whether it's a good idea to shave down for important meets, it's about whether a novice swimmers would benefit from shaving down in order to improve technique.
