Check
www.youtube.com/watch
Whoa... I'm speechless... well, momentarily anyways...
That is incredible, I've never seen anything quite like
this before!! What a perfect example of a totally unique
stroke, a bizarre phenomena that might not ever become
mainstream swimming philosophy.
I mean, it would be near to impossible to try and mimic
this stroke pattern, not to mention, how could someone
actually describe this appropriately in words...???!!
Attempting the impossible, just for the sheer need of
understanding, how could I let this opportunity "swim"
away?
His mix of technical variables are somewhat shocking,
and trying to describe his kick pattern combined with
his torso and pulling action is a slightly daunting task.
I mean, this appears to be a hybrid swimming stroke,
combining elements of butterfly and freestyle, with very
little semblance of previously accepted principals. This
may be the new "stroke" or just something that works
solely for this man.
Personally, I'm not willing to risk everything by endorsing
this stroke, but I will not disappoint by trying my best to
explain it.
His windmill action above water has been seen before, not
a complete shock, but it is when we look under-water that
I'm completely flabbergasted...
All the concepts I've known about sprint freestyle are almost
completely contrary with Stefan Nystrand.
Where should I start?
1. He bounces through his stroke, a tighter version of
the body dolphin action, during freestyle??!!
2. He swims "uphill", totally bizzare, but this is what I'm seeing.
You can even pause his stroke in the 25 meter under water angle,
and the result is uncanny. It appears that he rotates from side to side,
so fast, that the resistance from his body position is mitigated.
3. His "catch" stays near the surface, and he begins pulling
immediately, he doesn't wait for his forearm to be perpendicular to
the bottom of the pool. ***GASP*** Instead, he almost drops his
elbow, and pulls at 45 degrees, in exchange for faster tempo, and
the body dolphin.
4. His kick, ummmmm, his kick... What is that? A four-beat freestyle/dolphin blend? It's like his legs are assisting with the upper body set-up and over-all body-dolphin action.... ???!!!????!!!!
Okay folks, not sure what else to say, except.... WOW!
I wonder why it is only "pretty" if it conforms to conventional norms? We're just so brainwashed to think that high elbows are prettier we can't see anything else as "pretty" anymore. Instead, it's brutish and ugly. I dunno. I think your ideal stroke mechanics might depend somewhat on your body type and your own individual strengths in swimming. Nystrand must think he's faster this way, and that's why he adopted the unique stroke. he's obviously faster than the "pretty" people. I'd give it a try myself, but it does look pretty hard on the shoulders. I like the notion of a high frequency freetsyle body dolphin. It's interesting. It's also nice to see something different every once in awhile. If we didn't have some "fads," things would get dull.
I wonder why it is only "pretty" if it conforms to conventional norms? We're just so brainwashed to think that high elbows are prettier we can't see anything else as "pretty" anymore. Instead, it's brutish and ugly. I dunno. I think your ideal stroke mechanics might depend somewhat on your body type and your own individual strengths in swimming. Nystrand must think he's faster this way, and that's why he adopted the unique stroke. he's obviously faster than the "pretty" people. I'd give it a try myself, but it does look pretty hard on the shoulders. I like the notion of a high frequency freetsyle body dolphin. It's interesting. It's also nice to see something different every once in awhile. If we didn't have some "fads," things would get dull.
