The swim smooth guys have a new site at www.swimtypes.com that attempts to classify swimmers into six types. I found it interesting to try, and to see how the classification changed when I played around with the input values.
One of the things I found interesting was that they said their data show that people are somewhat polarized between sub 1:25/100m continuous pace for "smooth"/ideal swimmers and plus 1:25/100m "overgliders" and that fitness doesn't seem to be a big factor in dividing people across that time. Most people with good technique will be under 1:25 pace and very few swimmers with overglider technique problems will be able to get under 1:25. They use your 400m time as the input so if your time is under 5:40 you will be classified as smooth, much over that and you'll be classified as an overglider or swinger.
In any case I would be interested in seeing how other people classify and whether you agree with the classification.
Parents
Former Member
If my informal survey is at all representative (see Speed with pull buoy compared to speed without? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums), then helluva lot of masters are kicktastic by this definition. And that just doesn't seem right. (Although I myself am likely kicktastic).
You're probably right. Other types may also be faster without the pull. Like some gliders for instance? You're right.
If my informal survey is at all representative (see Speed with pull buoy compared to speed without? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums), then helluva lot of masters are kicktastic by this definition. And that just doesn't seem right. (Although I myself am likely kicktastic).
You're probably right. Other types may also be faster without the pull. Like some gliders for instance? You're right.
