After recognizing that my stroke is much longer than most OWS, I decided to poke around and see if stroke was different for OW as opposed to swimming in a pool. I found this (There is a part 2 if you click on the channel and scroll down the right side):
YouTube - Swim Smooth: What Is An Efficient Freestyle Stroke? Part 1
I would love to get reactions. I know that when I quicken my stroke rate and shorten my stroke I seem to fatigue much more quickly. However, this could be due to not pursuing this long enough to re-establish breathing patterns. (When I concentrate on my stroke, I tend to hold my breath without realizing it).
I do know that while my per 100 pace is slowly improving with more speed work in my work outs, it has dropped now where near what it used to be 20 years ago.
In general stroke rate and DPS is a very personal thing and there is no right or wrong. I think the most glaring example of this was with Janet Evans in the 800 and with Rebecca Adlington who took down her famous record.
I think stroke rate and DPS can be accurately defined for each swimmer in the pool, but I do think you need to vary it in OW to match the conditions. I find a higher stroke rate works in rougher water (that way I can survive loosing a breath every so often when submerged), and lower stroke rate on flat water, or sometimes I can match the stroke rate to the swells and get some benefit.
I have also noticed when drafting someone it is nice to match their stroke rate so as not to tangle arms. Like meshing of gear teeth. I think you need to be a bit flexible with OW stroke rate.
In general stroke rate and DPS is a very personal thing and there is no right or wrong. I think the most glaring example of this was with Janet Evans in the 800 and with Rebecca Adlington who took down her famous record.
I think stroke rate and DPS can be accurately defined for each swimmer in the pool, but I do think you need to vary it in OW to match the conditions. I find a higher stroke rate works in rougher water (that way I can survive loosing a breath every so often when submerged), and lower stroke rate on flat water, or sometimes I can match the stroke rate to the swells and get some benefit.
I have also noticed when drafting someone it is nice to match their stroke rate so as not to tangle arms. Like meshing of gear teeth. I think you need to be a bit flexible with OW stroke rate.
