What did you struggle with when you started swimming?
Former Member
Basically, what did you struggle with when you started swimming and how old were you? I kind of want to see if others have had the same troubles as I.
I just started swimming recreational this year. I am 20 and started due to my knees starting to bother me more by running, which I usually do.
There are a few things I can't seem to get the hang of:
1.) I can't last very long in freestyle. I can only do 75 at most before I have to stop. I think this is due to my breathing pattern.
2.) My kick is pretty weak, when I use a kick board I don't go fast at all. Due to being a runner before I guess this is a common problem.
3.) I'm trying to get the hang of flip turns but my push off is the problem. I'm trying to push off with my head faced up but I always seem to suck in some water for some reason and have to re-surface fast for air.
4.) I'm also having a hard time with the fast dolphin kick that most people use when coming out of a flip turn.
I was just looking for ways/drills to improve in these areas. I just want to be able to swim at length instead of stopping constantly.
Feel free to share. Also, any help would be greatly appreciated:afraid:
Parents
Former Member
I struggled with everything. It is a whole-body exercise, so until you get a lot of different things mastered (balance, kicking, breathing, etc.), it is difficult.
Toughest for me was breathing. It is hard to do an exercise when you have to more or less plan when you are going to breathe. As a result, it's hard to relax while breathing, which makes the workout seem that much harder.
As far as flip turns, this web site has a sequence of five video drills that does a good job of teaching them.
www.goswim.tv/.../turns-freestyle-flip-turn-step-1.html
By which I mean it worked for me.
Reply
Former Member
I struggled with everything. It is a whole-body exercise, so until you get a lot of different things mastered (balance, kicking, breathing, etc.), it is difficult.
Toughest for me was breathing. It is hard to do an exercise when you have to more or less plan when you are going to breathe. As a result, it's hard to relax while breathing, which makes the workout seem that much harder.
As far as flip turns, this web site has a sequence of five video drills that does a good job of teaching them.
www.goswim.tv/.../turns-freestyle-flip-turn-step-1.html
By which I mean it worked for me.
