The IM Lane

Actually, you wouldn't risk it as the rule is that prior to reaching the 15m mark some part of the swimmer's head must break the surface of the water, after that point, some part of the swimmer (note: doesn't say head) must break the surface of the water at all times with the exception of at the finish where the swimmer may be submerged. Now it's the 'at the finish' part that's the rub. As an official that is ruled to be the time in which you shift your focus to judging the swimmers touch and in doing so can no longer be in a good position to view the entire body of the swimmer. And in IM, then transition from one stroke to another is judged using the finishing rule of the ending stroke and the starting rule (sans dive of course) of beginning stroke. I guess that was a long winded way of saying 'no, having your head underwater at the transition from back to *** should not be cause for disqualification' I watched most of the US Nationals last week and I saw some DQ's in the backstroke events where the announcer said the swimmer "submerged prior to the finish." However, I didn't notice any DQ's like that in the IM events. Either way, mastering the turn enough that I don't have to look at the wall is still a good thing. :chug: Today I incorporated the turn into an IM set - 5x100 IM on 1:30. Not a super-hard set but hard enough that I was performing the turn while winded. It turns out that the point in my stroke cycle where I reach for the wall is also the point where I exhale! (I breathe every stroke in backstroke. It's pretty much subconscious though, so this was a surprise.) I was awkwardly gasping for air just before flipping. So I need to work on that. Some sort of mental cue to breathe differently inside the flags, maybe.

That is important since by putting my head underwater prior to touching the wall, I'd be risking a DQ for submerging past 15 meters. Actually, you wouldn't risk it as the rule is that prior to reaching the 15m mark some part of the swimmer's head must break the surface of the water, after that point, some part of the swimmer (note: doesn't say head) must break the surface of the water at all times with the exception of at the finish where the swimmer may be submerged. Now it's the 'at the finish' part that's the rub. As an official that is ruled to be the time in which you shift your focus to judging the swimmers touch and in doing so can no longer be in a good position to view the entire body of the swimmer. And in IM, then transition from one stroke to another is judged using the finishing rule of the ending stroke and the starting rule (sans dive of course) of beginning stroke. I guess that was a long winded way of saying 'no, having your head underwater at the transition from back to *** should not be cause for disqualification'

Yes, and in my opinion the girl in the video should be DQed if she turns like that in a race. It sure looks to me like she's completely submierged before her hand hits the wall. It all depends on if this part of the finish. If it is, then it's legal. See my answer to TG for more info.

I stand corrected. You are right Paul.

I will be swimming my first IM ever this year. Doing the 100 IM during the Sink Or Swim Classic on October 24th. Libertyville Sink or Swim Classic meet, 24 Oct 2010 - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums My goal is to be able to survive and do the 400 IM at Nationals in April. I'm not concerned about times with this one. I just want to learn it right then speed up from there.

Since we're at the beginning of a new season I thought I'd bump all the lanes to see which one is winning

Just when you thought the 400 IMers were the craziest swimmers next to the 200 Flyers... Northern California is proud of their IM Swimmers. But especially proud of building their Medley Relays. YouTube- The Golden Gate Individual Medley

Just when you thought the 400 IMers were the craziest swimmers next to the 200 Flyers... Northern California is proud of their IM Swimmers. But especially proud of building their Medley Relays. YouTube- The Golden Gate Individual MedleyCompletely whacked out! Crazy. I'm impressed, but this is one of those things I'm sure I'll never aspire to do.

Just when you thought the 400 IMers were the craziest swimmers next to the 200 Flyers... Northern California is proud of their IM Swimmers. But especially proud of building their Medley Relays. YouTube- The Golden Gate Individual Medley looks like fun. Of course, the water must be insanely cold. But, once you get the fly done, the rest is a piece of cake considering you can complete the fly. At least, with the kayak, you can be somewhat coordinated on the backstroke. Otherwise, you might somehow swim to the Pacific!

looks like fun. Of course, the water must be insanely cold. At least, with the kayak, you can be somewhat coordinated on the backstroke. Otherwise, you might somehow swim to the Pacific! Probably 55-63 degrees. The idea of following the Golden Gate Bridge like a beam on the ceiling in backstroke sounds cool to me! Loud foghorns eh?