Long distance swim breathing

To echo what a few people already said, I prefer alternate breathing to the left and ride on swims for the following reasons: you may be getting smacked in the face with waves if you only breathe to one side the sun may be shining right in your eyes you are looking for landmarks/trying to navigate Generally, for the final few hundred yards of an OW swim, I'll breathe every stroke to one side for an extra burst of energy.

Breathing on both sides during a distance race can be important. Sometimes it is important to watch your opponent. Yes, I know swimming is an individual sport, but if you are trying to win a gold (or place), or score points for your team, you must keep your competition within striking distance.

I liked Typhoons Coach's answer. I swim mostly distance. I prefer breathing bilaterally, but one side becomes more convenient because I'm always sharing a swim lane with others. When circling, I tend to breathe on the lane divider side because otherwise, I'll probably breathe in somebody's splash. Now. What about butterfly? I prefer breathing as little as possible because it seems that breathing is less streamlined than not breathing.

I've always swum distance and only breathe on my right unless I'm watching a close competitor. It keeps my rhythm, which is important to have when you're swimming long distances (IMO). I probably breathe 50% every other, and 50% every 4 strokes, depending.

Fast people tend to breathe to one side because it's easier and faster. Bilateral breathing is pointless to me, but I don't do triathlons or open water swimming. Every now and then you'll see a good swimmer breathe to both sides, but they are in the minority. Just use what works best for you.

Just use what works best for you. Best answer and the right answer. Short and sweet!:applaud:

I noticed that too. Not just hackett, but most of the heats I saw, they were only breathing to one side. I only breathe the the right, and when i swim anything longer than a 100m, I take a breath every stroke. (even into the walls) the only time I breathe to the left is in open water swimming, if I want to see how close the person next to me is. Breathing to one side definitely effects your stroke, especially if you slow down your breathing arm in the air. I know that I have a deeper left arm because of my right side breathing.

I liked Typhoons Coach's answer. I swim mostly distance. I prefer breathing bilaterally, but one side becomes more convenient because I'm always sharing a swim lane with others. When circling, I tend to breathe on the lane divider side because otherwise, I'll probably breathe in somebody's splash. Now. What about butterfly? I prefer breathing as little as possible because it seems that breathing is less streamlined than not breathing. For butterfly, I prefer to breath to the side when I am just swimming by myself, but if I am swimming with a group I will breath up. Either way, I like to take a breath every other stroke no matter the distance (as long as I am not swimming over a 200 fly....it's not my best stroke and the lifeguard would have to come and get me!).

Sometimes when we're doing sprint drills, I breathe (breath is the noun btw) to the side while doing breaststroke so I can see where I'm at in relation to the other guys. It actually helps when I'm tired because it keeps my head down while trying to streamline.

I do a good share on long distance swimming. I usually breathe to one side and usually at the last 100 I breathe every 3rd stroke. I feel that I get more oxygen that way.