I am interested in knowing what swimming theory you use and why you use it. I hear much about Total Immersion and not just from this forum. I hear much about swimming high on the water slightly looking forward, and I hear much about people developing their own swimming theory best suited for them but using guidelines that help them maintain a technical stroke.
Given all these different theories, it is no wonder that swimmers new to the sport are confused as to whom to listen to.
I borrowed the TI book from a friend a year or so ago, and found several things I agreed with, but more that I didn’t. I am not close-minded, I just cannot find a reason to swim so low in the water with the head looking down. The rolling of the shoulders really concerned me and the fact that so much of the body is low-parallel to the water, this has to increase drag, especially on the shoulders. One thing I will say is most people who swim using TI have beautiful strokes. But, and there is a but, they just don’t swim fast. Maybe I have just been so isolated here on this island that I have not heard of any, but are there any Olympians using TI? Or, will the young-uns using it be our next generation?
There is a USMS club in Fort Worth who advocated TI. Sadly, now they are deconstructing all those methods because no matter what the workout and intensity, their swimmers’ speeds could never develop. I get to speak to many triathlete swimmers here every March. The Elite (professional) swimmers swim high on top of the water looking forward and they use hip rotation, not shoulder rolling. Many of the age-groupers in this event just don’t understand why they are not swimming faster using TI. Now, we all know that most of the triathletes who were swimmers first, and runners and bikers second, always fare better in the swim portion.
I have said this before and I will say it again, there is more than one way to swim. I swim higher on top of the water looking forward, about a yard or two and use hip rotation. The reason for this is picture a person throwing a rock that skims the lake. The rock is flying on top of the water and not in it, so it moves much faster until its momentum ceases. Now, I know people are not rocks, but the principle is founded. Swimming on top of the water generates power and the swimmer can truly feel it. I swim slightly “planed” outward and upward and skim over the water, not in it.
Nowadays, because I am older and carry more weight, I swim not quite as high on the water and this has evolved over the last ten years or so. So even though I started out swimming “high” on the water looking forward, my stroke has become my own personal one that suits me very well. I also want to mention that I am referring to only freestyle here even though with all of my backstroke days, I, again, swam rather “planed” upward because I could get more rotation on top of the water rather than “in” the water.
I am not trying to cause a brou-ha-ha. I am just curious about the swimming theories and why people select them. And after swimming with any specific theory, are you happy with it?
Donna
Parents
Former Member
No, Terry, "they did not know they'd be measured by whether I beat them" because I was not measuring them, they were measuring me before the race because they were rather rude in their comments about my age (placed on my leg, of course), and what I physically look like. I only swim against myself, not other people. I have never criticized another swimmer in any situation nor would I because I don't believe in it. I believe in constructive discussion and advice when needed.
I am very quiet about giving verbal advice about swimming because there are too many out there who claim to be experts, and I have seen what they have done. I in no way am criticizing any swimmer and/or their time for the mile or any distance. My point is: a 32 minute to 40 minute mile is just not very fast and swimmers in triathlons comlain about how hard it is to go under 30 minutes. If a person is just happy to complete it, then time is of little importance. Just as completing my 18 mile swim will be important, not necessarily the time.
To comment on time, these TI gals knew they would swim under 30 minutes and were very disappointed that day. Maybe they are just very impatient with their speed taking so long to come about, but hopefully they will be back this March and will have improved their times.
We all know how exciting it is to better our times: it is the personal accomplishment that continues to drive many to better themselves and we all know how thrilling it is to achieve speed goals. And if the TI method is helping millions of swimmers, then my hat is off to this "theory." The bottom line is to get people swimming, remove their fear of drowning, and perfect a stroke that they can be happy with for years. And if they can compete along the way, it will open up new avenues of personal friendships and accomplishments thus enriching their lives.
And I do consider TI a swimming theory even if you don't. And I think this because it is an acronym for what so many people refer to: Total Immersion. And it is obviously designed more for style than speed at this point in time. But I am sure that as time goes by, we may start seeing faster swim times for those TI swimmers lucky enough to have found it.
I believe in my swimming theory or style as much as you do yours, and this is why we are both still swimming today. We found a way to enjoy the water, challenge ourselves, better our times, and help others. I don't think life can get any better than this.
And I really do appreciate your point of view even though I am not in total agreement with it. We can respect one another but agree to disagree.
Donna
:groovy:
No, Terry, "they did not know they'd be measured by whether I beat them" because I was not measuring them, they were measuring me before the race because they were rather rude in their comments about my age (placed on my leg, of course), and what I physically look like. I only swim against myself, not other people. I have never criticized another swimmer in any situation nor would I because I don't believe in it. I believe in constructive discussion and advice when needed.
I am very quiet about giving verbal advice about swimming because there are too many out there who claim to be experts, and I have seen what they have done. I in no way am criticizing any swimmer and/or their time for the mile or any distance. My point is: a 32 minute to 40 minute mile is just not very fast and swimmers in triathlons comlain about how hard it is to go under 30 minutes. If a person is just happy to complete it, then time is of little importance. Just as completing my 18 mile swim will be important, not necessarily the time.
To comment on time, these TI gals knew they would swim under 30 minutes and were very disappointed that day. Maybe they are just very impatient with their speed taking so long to come about, but hopefully they will be back this March and will have improved their times.
We all know how exciting it is to better our times: it is the personal accomplishment that continues to drive many to better themselves and we all know how thrilling it is to achieve speed goals. And if the TI method is helping millions of swimmers, then my hat is off to this "theory." The bottom line is to get people swimming, remove their fear of drowning, and perfect a stroke that they can be happy with for years. And if they can compete along the way, it will open up new avenues of personal friendships and accomplishments thus enriching their lives.
And I do consider TI a swimming theory even if you don't. And I think this because it is an acronym for what so many people refer to: Total Immersion. And it is obviously designed more for style than speed at this point in time. But I am sure that as time goes by, we may start seeing faster swim times for those TI swimmers lucky enough to have found it.
I believe in my swimming theory or style as much as you do yours, and this is why we are both still swimming today. We found a way to enjoy the water, challenge ourselves, better our times, and help others. I don't think life can get any better than this.
And I really do appreciate your point of view even though I am not in total agreement with it. We can respect one another but agree to disagree.
Donna
:groovy:
