Hello to all! Just registered for the forums, and why I didn't do this sooner -- I don't know.
So, the only swimming lessons I have ever had were the very first lessons you get as a child. Fast forward to the spring of 2006 and my decision to start training for my first triathlon in 2007. I swam the 1500m for the Philly Olympic Tri in a little over 30mins. I got to that level -- surely not anything great -- simply by doing 1 arm finger tip drag and pulls, 15x100's, alternating arm catch-up drills, and simply putting in the race yardage with non-stop freestyle. Now, I would certainly like to improve on my time from last year since I am again racing Philly Oly Tri this year, but I have some questions in my mind that hopefully people can comment to.
What are the priorities for learning technique? For example, should one first learn a proper kick, then good elbow position, followed by good head position?
I ask this, because I am sure that I don't have solid fundamentals all around. But, with what my technique consisted of getting me to my race level last year -- if I take that and build on it EVF, would that be okay? I have seen a couple forum threads from Slowtwitch and here about the Tech Paddles, and I am wondering if working on EVF with these would be right for me. Yes, no one can give a precise answer to this without seeing me in the water, but making some general assumptions of typical "failures in technique" from a fairly athletic individual who can get to 30mins / 1500m in 6wks of training alone could give one a rough idea maybe?
If the answer is, "No, don't worry about EVF at this point," then can someone outline the priorities for working on the basics, please? If yes, then aside from Tech Paddles, would purchasing a pair of fins to work on kicking be a postive ROI too?
I am possibly going to take some swimming instruction from Holden Comeau & Tucker Brown here in the Philadelphia area. Has anyone taken any instruction from either and have any comments?
Thanks & cheers! (Unfortunately, I'll probably being making future posts with naive, mundane and basic questions -- please bear with me. :dunno: )
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Former Member
You have two coaches who have experience, I have checked them both out in the past. It seems to me I could easily recommend them. Comeau seems to have knowledge about swimming and Brown seems to know more about the tri end of your spectrum. Many here will be glad to give you suggestions. I am a firm believer that first you listen to your coaches, then get what you can from the people here.
You will get all kinds of tips here, some will be great. First of all you have to get the technical part right. I am a whole stroke thinking guy and others want you to break it down and concentrate on portions of stroke. Good luck take what you can use and think technique first then get down to work.
You have two coaches who have experience, I have checked them both out in the past. It seems to me I could easily recommend them. Comeau seems to have knowledge about swimming and Brown seems to know more about the tri end of your spectrum. Many here will be glad to give you suggestions. I am a firm believer that first you listen to your coaches, then get what you can from the people here.
You will get all kinds of tips here, some will be great. First of all you have to get the technical part right. I am a whole stroke thinking guy and others want you to break it down and concentrate on portions of stroke. Good luck take what you can use and think technique first then get down to work.
