I watched a lot of the longer distance swims (1000 & 1650 yards) at Nationals and noted that there is very little and sometimes no kicking for these distances. I have a miserable kick (as in I can go backwards and usually don't move much at all if only kicking:doh: ) so this was actually encouraging to me.
Again, since I swim on my own and have no competitive experience, I am very naive in all matters of swimming in a meet. So I am posting this observation for your input and knowledge. Thanks
Parents
Former Member
It is a question of cost versus efficacy: your kicking will add little speed to your long distance swim, yet it might tire you more. Younger swimmers or better trained masters will kick throughout their swim, with varying degrees of power applied and energy cost. Triathletes and not so well trained masters will only kick to maintain their body position. From a distance you might see elite swimmers kicking plenty, but they are dosing their kick so that it is not tiring them, although it looks that way. Some swimmers hardly kick at all in salt water as the density itself will make you flotate more and keep your body position correct.
It is a question of cost versus efficacy: your kicking will add little speed to your long distance swim, yet it might tire you more. Younger swimmers or better trained masters will kick throughout their swim, with varying degrees of power applied and energy cost. Triathletes and not so well trained masters will only kick to maintain their body position. From a distance you might see elite swimmers kicking plenty, but they are dosing their kick so that it is not tiring them, although it looks that way. Some swimmers hardly kick at all in salt water as the density itself will make you flotate more and keep your body position correct.
