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: )
My opinion is that body position should be the number one priority for new swimmers. If your body position is no good what you do with your arms and legs is immaterial.
My opinion is that body position should be the number one priority for new swimmers. If your body position is no good what you do with your arms and legs is immaterial.
