I a getting back into swimming due to a foot injury - have been a runner for a while. I swam as a child mostly for fun but did compete for a Y team briefly. I can remember not doing very well but I don't think I ever received much coaching. I have recently (over the last month) really gotten back into swimming and am taking an intermediate adult swimming class to work on technique.
So far so good - I am starting to get interested in joining a master's swimming group this fall. I am now wanting to learn how to do a flip turn. I realized yesterday that I have two hurdles to overcome. The first is the swimming underwater on my back part. I am working on that part now and have a pretty healthy fear of water going up my nose. There is also something scary about being on my back under water. I want to overcome this and am looking for some advice. I need some exercises to try or something to think about to psych myself up for it. Breathing face down does not bother me at all - I never have a problem exhaling through my nose in that position. I hum all the time which helps. Any advice? (The second hurdle is the flip but I really think the first is the big one I need the most help with - will be asking my teacher for more help, but it's hard to get individual attention.)
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Former Member
Hi saracb,
I am a newer swimmer also working up to joining a masters team, also not too sure about flip turns, and also averse to swimming underwater on my back (but not afraid-even if I crack my head like a coconut on the wall, I'll still float, and someone will drag me out). I am interested to see what others suggest, but I will tell you how I am approaching these challenges. I am using dolphin kick drills to work up to swimming on my back underwater. I just learned the dolphin kick and it is so sinuous and fun that I think that my desire to do it every which way will help me get over the water-up-my-nose issue. Right now I am practicing it on my side and switching sides underwater. Next I'm going to try rolling underwater like an otter and then try going on my back. I'm keeping the spirit of play and adventure in mind as I try these things that make me a little uncomfortable. After all, I don't have to do anything I don't WANT to do. And I really really want to swim all strokes well.
As for the flip turn, I'm convinced I am going to bash my brains out if I approach close enough to be able to kick off the wall. I'm going to take the advice of practicing somersaults away from the wall. I think that will help. I haven't tried that.
I'm glad to see another aspiring master swimmer on here! Please post again and let us know how you are doing with these issues.
Willow
Hi saracb,
I am a newer swimmer also working up to joining a masters team, also not too sure about flip turns, and also averse to swimming underwater on my back (but not afraid-even if I crack my head like a coconut on the wall, I'll still float, and someone will drag me out). I am interested to see what others suggest, but I will tell you how I am approaching these challenges. I am using dolphin kick drills to work up to swimming on my back underwater. I just learned the dolphin kick and it is so sinuous and fun that I think that my desire to do it every which way will help me get over the water-up-my-nose issue. Right now I am practicing it on my side and switching sides underwater. Next I'm going to try rolling underwater like an otter and then try going on my back. I'm keeping the spirit of play and adventure in mind as I try these things that make me a little uncomfortable. After all, I don't have to do anything I don't WANT to do. And I really really want to swim all strokes well.
As for the flip turn, I'm convinced I am going to bash my brains out if I approach close enough to be able to kick off the wall. I'm going to take the advice of practicing somersaults away from the wall. I think that will help. I haven't tried that.
I'm glad to see another aspiring master swimmer on here! Please post again and let us know how you are doing with these issues.
Willow
