Difference in speed; head above water and head under water.
Former Member
I have folowed a lifeguard course and we always had to swim with our head above water.
2 requirements for the exam were:
- From the side jumping into the water, one lap entirely under water, 2 25 meter laps on back with arms above water (to prove that the kick is efficient enough) within 100 seconds.
- 200 meters in 4 minutes and 15 seconds (which is even quite doable with the breaststroke), of course with head above water.
At the university swimming pool I noticed a list for the sportmasterstudents (they study sport at an academic level) with required times and laps.
This got me wondering. How much faster can you swim a lap when you swim with your head under water compared to when you swim with your had above water?
I suspect that the relative difference in speed will be larger for a sprint than for an long distance.
I would say about 50-75% faster regardless of distance.
But I suppose as a lifeguard it is kind of improtant to locate the exact spot a person goes under as you are swimming out to them.
I would say about 50-75% faster regardless of distance.
But I suppose as a lifeguard it is kind of improtant to locate the exact spot a person goes under as you are swimming out to them.