How do I keep my otherwise well-fitted goggles in place when I hit the water off the starting block, BESIDES making them tighter? I never used them in high school meets, because of the same problem. But, I really DO want to use them now in my first Masters swim meet...
Problem: I have a narrow face and bone structure that makes goggles very difficult to fit. Trying them on the same way I do a mask (making sure there is good suction w/o the strap on), I finally found the last pair to fit, after trying every single model on at ***'s Sporting Goods. I ended up with an Aqua Sphere that I like that doesn't leak water and stays in place comfortably when I swim. BUT, even when I tighten up the strap, it still slips when I hit the water off the blocks, even while wearing a cap. I am trying to get my arms and head in the correct position, but I am still not sure what I am doing wrong. (I've been watching You Tube videos, since I am swimming most of the time on my own, because I am located too far from the closest Masters team.)
Any advice would be most appreciated!
Thanks!
Elaine
Former Member
I've always found that when I lose my goggles it's because I've picked up my head just after hitting the water. Try keeping your head down and see if that helps.
Tightness doesn't help that much. Practice you starts, tucking your chin, keeping the head down, and a clean entry...that pretty much should cure it. Being a distance swimmer in my "real" competitive years I always wore fairly loose googles due to the distance I was swimming and never had an issue. It just takes some practice.
I have more of an issue now because I shave my head and there isn't much for the straps to hang on to. I also don't get to practice starts either because I train alone during "free swim" times. They require me to have a coach on deck. However I did find an older lifeguard (retired school teacher) that lets me when he's head guard.
I agree with Lump. It's not about tightness, it's about tucking your head. You're most likely not tucking enought - make sure your elbows are above your ears when you streamline to dive into the pool and chin to your neck. Practice every day until you get it.
Just to add to some very good advice.
When tucking your chin IN, try to see your feet while you're in the air.
On the same subject I have found a few pairs that will not leak, if tight and they're more streamlined than my regular oversized Speedo Bajas. I swim all my "regular" swims in Bajas, and my races in Technoflex or Raceflex or Velocity.
As a new swimmer, try to stretch your arms out & then in , so the biceps push against the goggles. After 1000 dives , you will find keeping the head down will help.
In high school I almost never had google issues but when preparing for my first Masters meet, I found that I was doing something wrong as they kept coming off and I was getting frustrated. I wanted to enjoy the meet no matter what my times were but I did actually want to be able to swim the events I entered. I tightened the goggles and I scheduled a one on one coaching session (i.e. private swim lesson) at the pool I usually swim at. They set me up with a coach who has a lot of experience (I was hoping they would schedule me with him since I have talked with him before and have seen him coaching others) because of my own experience. I got 30 minutes to work on starts. It didn't take anywhere near that long to help me (I looked up when I shouldn't have) and the rest of the time we worked on improving my turns and pull out.
Good luck!
here's a sff tip I wrote on this topic
www.usms.org/.../showpost.php
Ande, this was excellent- thanks! :)
To all of you who posted on this thread:
THANK YOU!!! :applaud:
The advice has been terrific and I have been taking notes! I really do appreciate all your help.
Cheers!
Elaine
Search around for Swedish Goggles. Because you have to assemble them yourself (don't worry, it's only a bit difficult for the first time!) you can properly adjust them to fit your face structure just right!
The only downside is that they may be uncomfortable when you start using them.
Cheers!
Google "Swim Outlet" or "Swim 2000" (others out there too). These are on-line swim shops and carry a wide variety of googles. I have great luck with TYR Femme googles. They are smaller for a female face. They have 2 or 3 models that are Femme. My favorites are the femme T-72 Petite! These googles are cheap ($9 to $10 dollars), have a totally adjustable nose bridge, low profile for diving and turns, and come metallized or regular lenses. I have stock-piled 12 pairs in case they stop making them. I never see these googles in swim shops, only on-line.
Hey, Bobinator, my Tyr Femme T-72 Petite just arrived from Swimoutlet.com, along with the second cap I ordered. I'll try them out in the pool tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion! I think they'll work out fine!
