We were goofing around after practice the other day and decided to see who could swim the farthest underwater. We both went well over 50 meters (the underwater turn was a killer). I opted for dolphin kicking a ways and then switched to the underwater breastroke. I’m not sure which technique is better for distance as opposed to speed. Anyone out there ever make a full 100m underwater? Oh yeah, this can be dangerous because a lot of people pass out. So if you make an attempt, be sure someone is on deck watching you. Perhaps some of you dorks could even put on your competitions suits and monofins and see if it improves your performance. You guys kill me with all your equipment.
In 1970 I did three lengths of a 33 meter pool, without flippers. I hyperventilated for a bit, swam very slowly and was so exhilarated when I came up that there was no sensation of exhaustion or shortness of breath. My only training was a few miles every day. It was a spur of the moment thing. I did it again and turned for the forth lap with out taking a stroke just gliding out the push away from the wall. There was no witness? The turns may have helped and I have no idea how long it took.
In 1970 I did three lengths of a 33 meter pool, without flippers. I hyperventilated for a bit, swam very slowly and was so exhilarated when I came up that there was no sensation of exhaustion or shortness of breath. My only training was a few miles every day. It was a spur of the moment thing. I did it again and turned for the forth lap with out taking a stroke just gliding out the push away from the wall. There was no witness? The turns may have helped and I have no idea how long it took.
I did things like that back then too. I'm glad I survived, I'm glad you survived. Knowing what we know now, I really don't recommend anyone else do this.
I really think this thread should be closed.I am no fan of FINA on most things,but they got it right on limiting underwater swimming to 15M. Seeing how far you can swim underwater is just dangerous.
Thanks, Allen, that is definitely wise advice. I had the opportunity to write a series of articles on shallow water blackout for SwimSwam, which might be useful in clarifying why prolonged breath-holding can be dangerous:
swimswam.com/.../swimswam.com/.../swimswam.com/.../
My team does underwater kicking sometimes at the end of practice, but we never go over 25 yards and with plenty of rest between swims. 25 yards without breathing is plenty for me.
Although it is strictly NOT advised in personal training prior to Navy BUDS (and actually forbidden at various Navy base pools)...under strict supervision, Navy SEALs do train for a 50 meter underwater swim once they officially enter the SEAL training pipeline.
Dan
Disclaimer: Navy SEALs are not associated with FINA, USAS, or USMS.
I'm something of a work in progress. ;)
I feel ya. I think keeping my streamline and breath under control after a flip are my biggest struggles in swimming right now. Only been at it with Masters since August, and started swimming in the first place back in May. I hope this gets better with time.
I can honestly say I've never gone past 15 yards. I do like my air. I like it a lot. Doing without it goes against everything I live for.
Pretty much my thought too. I do sometimes enjoy relaxed swimming underwater or free without taking a breath--but in no case do I force it. It's more about just enjoying the view down under, and then coming up/ taking a breath when I feel the need. No ambition for a record.
Sometimes the coach has us do widths of the pool underwater to practice streamlining off the wall, and occasionally, we'll do the streamline practice and he'll tell us to stay under until x distance past the flags. Or he'll have us do "breath control" work, so 75, say, with 25 breathing on 3, 25 breathe on 5, 25 breathe on 7. Oddly, I find if I HAVE to not take a breath I'm immediately dying to take a breath. When I'm swimming relaxed, I might go as many as 10 strokes without a breath, no problem. Then, no pressure, just enjoying the feeling of privacy and being surrounded by water. But if it becomes part of a set... oops! It's why too, I have trouble w/ flip turns (that and the fear of being totally disoriented and re-emerging all wrong). Or sometimes if I work on streamline w/ fins, I'll last longer underwater but suddenly panic and pop up on the surface, stop for a second and then continue swimming. I also have a hard time not taking a breath after the flags and the coach gives me a hard time for that--and I'm okay w/ his doing so, and try to comply, but if I need a breath, I take it, b/c my body is what it is.
I'm something of a work in progress. ;)
