This may be opening a can of worms here, but I'm having an argument with someone in my group. If someone is drafting off of you in a pool set (like 4x200 SCY), does it hurt your effort? Does the lead swimmer have to work harder or experience some other negative benefit?
I've read a bit about aerodynamics and it would seem that in car racing, the lead car actually gets a positive benefit, but I'm not sure if that's true in swimming.
Sounds like there are some variations or scenarios to drafting:
1. OWS. In OWS, this is a race so it will hinder the final performance of the draftee, due to greater energy conserved by the drafter during the earlier part of the race. Does it hurt the draftee's performance? No. Just their finishing place. You can draft on me if you want during an OWS, just don't get too close (I kick).
2. Practice (with a club/team). This should be understood and it should honestly provide greater (long term) strength to the draftee. It only makes you stronger. Now, there've been times during practice when I might have a stronger day than a like-swimmer so I lead that day. Then the next workout, maybe I'm not as strong, so the other swimmer takes the lead. Or one leads the first half of the workout or set and then you switch leadership (just like in cycling).
3. Sharing a lane with strangers. Now this is just rude. If you find yourself being the draftee of a stranger, I think you have all reason to stop and ask them to split the lane or give you some space. Maybe my being an only kid has left me with that mentality, but I like my space, especially from strangers. Now, its not a competition, so no kicking if they get too close!
Sounds like there are some variations or scenarios to drafting:
1. OWS. In OWS, this is a race so it will hinder the final performance of the draftee, due to greater energy conserved by the drafter during the earlier part of the race. Does it hurt the draftee's performance? No. Just their finishing place. You can draft on me if you want during an OWS, just don't get too close (I kick).
2. Practice (with a club/team). This should be understood and it should honestly provide greater (long term) strength to the draftee. It only makes you stronger. Now, there've been times during practice when I might have a stronger day than a like-swimmer so I lead that day. Then the next workout, maybe I'm not as strong, so the other swimmer takes the lead. Or one leads the first half of the workout or set and then you switch leadership (just like in cycling).
3. Sharing a lane with strangers. Now this is just rude. If you find yourself being the draftee of a stranger, I think you have all reason to stop and ask them to split the lane or give you some space. Maybe my being an only kid has left me with that mentality, but I like my space, especially from strangers. Now, its not a competition, so no kicking if they get too close!
