USMS SwimFest '09 (The SUPER Clinic!)

Snorkles are great! It took me some time to get used to mine but now I use it regularly. I have not learned to flip turn with it - maybe some day. Make sure you keep your rotation strong when you use your snorkle - it can start to flatten you out. Keep working on it. I couldn't use a nose clip with my snorkle if I wanted to. I wouldn't recommend one either. I also LOVE doing fly drills and kick with the snorkle. The majority of my kick sets are now done without a board and with the snorkle. I haven't gotten the guts to duct tape the top and create a smaller hole yet - maybe next week.

You really think I should put more than 30 seconds of effort in learning to breath without a nose clip? Yes, I'd give it at least five minutes :) I think this is a skill lots of people have trouble with. I took scuba training with my wife a few years back and she couldn't do the skill where you simulate your mask coming off. Same kind of scenario. You're forced to breathe through your mouth only and I think lots of people naturally want to breathe in through their nose, too, and this isn't a good idea underwater! Did you use the forearm fulcrum at all in the gear station? I've always wondered if getting these would be a worthwhile investment.

I really was just going to get a nose clip and call it a day. You really think I should put more than 30 seconds of effort in learning to breath without a nose clip? When I first got my snorkel I got a lot of water in my nose, and I thought a nose clip would help, but it didn't. I still got water in my nose somehow, and with the nose clip on the pressure in my sinuses was kind of unpleasant too. So yes, I would recommend that you figure out how to keep water out of your nose without a nose clip when you are using your snorkel. Otherwise you will never really like your snorkel, which would be a shame because it is a great training tool.

I really was just going to get a nose clip and call it a day. You really think I should put more than 30 seconds of effort in learning to breath without a nose clip? I will take it to the gym and give it another shot this week.

Did you use the forearm fulcrum at all in the gear station? Yes, and here is the full equipment list if I remember it all. Swimmer's snorkel (to keep) SwiMP3 (sound through my cheekbones!) Freestyler hand paddles Tempo trainer Tech toc Forearm fulcrum I only used the forearm fulcrum freestyle and it didn't make any difference for me. It actually felt like it loosened up during my pull. No idea what that means, but I didn't feel like it was providing me with any feedback, so it wasn't very useful to me. Of course, I only did a 50 with each piece of equipment except the tempo trainer. The tempo trainer I could see myself using on a regular basis.

I too am a dork and have not yet learned how to flipturn with a snorkle, but will learn this week. Promise. Flipturn? I couldn't make it 10 yards. I really am glad to have so many people respond and tell me that it is learnable, and the nose clip might not even help. The diving competition was right next to this section and the noise created the havoc. Made it nearly impossible to give instructions for group drills. Still everyone had the chance to try out the goods and that was cool. There were lots of reasons for the havoc at the Toys station. I think the biggest problem was that there were 2 of each type of toy for every 5 people, and the plan was to have everyone use the same toy at the same time. Musical Chairs! Every 50, the assistant coach said, "We are not doing that yet" about 5 times. Maybe it ran smoother earlier in the day, or maybe it was just me. I got what I wanted out of the station, but it didn't run as smoothly as the other stations.

Over all it was great. These are minor criticisms as it was over all great. Also,nice to meet Wookie. Allen and QBRAIN both told me they would meet me at SwimFest... but I never met either. At least by name. Sharks!! But I have to say that I met and put faces to names on several Forumites and Facebook friends at both SwimFest - and at Nationals in Clovis. There is no doubt that these two avenues have changed my little swimming world and are worth mentioning - and encouraging more swimmers to join. USMS Coaches Chair, Chris Colburn and I were talking on the last day and I brought this point of connections made, up with him. I'd like to encourage coaches to post more to the USMS Forum Coaches Thread and create the support and some of the comaraderie that we have generated as swimmers. Usually all it takes to build viewers is a post a day of something new and relevant. Similar to the daily blogs of some of the members here on the Forum. I don't have to tell anyone here, that our masters coaches are always in need of support, information, and inspiration. Swimmers asking direct coaching questions on the coaching thread also serves well. Thanks to all for making SwimFest09 everything I had hoped it would be and yet - plenty of room for building and improvements in the next year! Can't wait to hear WHERE it will land!!

Thanks to all for making SwimFest09 everything I had hoped it would be and yet - plenty of room for building and improvements in the next year! Can't wait to hear WHERE it will land!! The sooner the dates and location get announced for 2010, the better the participation, I suspect. Just like having the dates out for Nationals well in advance gets people excited and blocking calendars/thinking about travel plans, putting this out there sooner rather than later will be good. It sounds like a neat weekend and I'd certainly consider one in the future.

Allen and QBRAIN both told me they would meet me at SwimFest... but I never met either. At least by name. Sharks!! :sad:

My wife and I went to SwimFest '09 and both had a great time. Since we both are "self-coached" it was good to get feedback from various real coaches, and we both got a lot of useful feedback/information. We tried to write all we could remember Saturday evening, but I'm sure we forgot some things. Overall I think things went well for it being the 1st time offered. Kinks will undoubtedly need to be worked out, but we feel we got our money's worth. I think during the check-in it would be helpful to have a "schedule of events," something that explains the order of rotation. Maybe there was something, but we didn't see it. I also think big signs that mark where the stations are set up would be helpful (something with 10" tall lettering). On the snorkel issue, we are a house divided. I'm ok with it, but my wife's gonna have to work at it for a bit. The last time I used a snorkel was as a kid, and I remember not liking "breathing just through my mouth." This time I just accepted the fact and tried to approach it as a challenge. Ironically, I'm not a big fan of backstroke because I don't like water up my nose, but I can use the snorkel without a nose clip. I would anticipate next year's clinic will be even better as the folks organizing it get additional feedback and get more things ironed out. Finally I'd like to say thanks to everyone involved. :applaud: