How much kicking should be done in open water? I have generally thought that excessive kicking is not very efficient (and more tiring being a large muscle group) in longer distances. When I was out last week, my kayaker said I wasn't kicking at all. I know I don't kick much, but I didn't realize it was so little and so noticeable. So, how much kicking should be done? How much benefit vs energy expenditure?
When Sheila Taormina was coaching our Masters team, she taught us to use a 6-beat kick tactically during triathlon swims: Kick hard to get some separation at the start, switch to a 2-beat to conserve energy, and then go back to a 6-beat towards the finish to "wake up" the legs before exiting the water. She would have us do sets where we would practice accelerating and decelerating.
I also thought it was interesting watching Ledecky at Worlds. She looked like she would do a quick 3 kick pulse starting with her left foot
every 4-5 arm strokes.
When Sheila Taormina was coaching our Masters team, she taught us to use a 6-beat kick tactically during triathlon swims: Kick hard to get some separation at the start, switch to a 2-beat to conserve energy, and then go back to a 6-beat towards the finish to "wake up" the legs before exiting the water. She would have us do sets where we would practice accelerating and decelerating.
I also thought it was interesting watching Ledecky at Worlds. She looked like she would do a quick 3 kick pulse starting with her left foot
every 4-5 arm strokes.
