I've normally swum in a SCY pool, but for the summer I can only do that twice a week and use a shallow 20 yard pool 1-2 times a week. Does anyone have any workouts or advice for practices in such a short pool? I have noticed that I do not get as tired in the 20 yard pool and that my strokes tend to get worse after using the 20 yard pool for a while (having to swim in such a shallow pool creates larger waves that really toss me around).
Parents
Former Member
Well, in our neck of the woods, we have only two pools, and both are 4 (narrow) lane 20 metre pools. The nearest 25 metre pool is an expensive ferry trip away...yet our club has managed to produce several nationally ranked masters swimmers. The overall advice: when given lemons...make lemonaide.
Advice given in the last post was good. As well, practice half lengths (real length distance) with turns at sprint speed, especially in backstroke. Given the extra number of turns a workout in a short pool entails, capitalize on your turns. Ditto for starts.
It is hard to get into the feel of a long stoke when you hit the wall so often, so extra stroke drill may help, as may resistance sets (pulling a partner, bungee cords, etc.) You will have to mentally challenge yourself to make every stroke long and powerful.
As for the turbulence - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. A race in a calm pool will be soooo easy! If you can, talk the pool management into buying decent wave reducing lane ropes, and/or increasing the water depth so it is level with the deck.
Good luck; I sympathize with your pool predicament.
Well, in our neck of the woods, we have only two pools, and both are 4 (narrow) lane 20 metre pools. The nearest 25 metre pool is an expensive ferry trip away...yet our club has managed to produce several nationally ranked masters swimmers. The overall advice: when given lemons...make lemonaide.
Advice given in the last post was good. As well, practice half lengths (real length distance) with turns at sprint speed, especially in backstroke. Given the extra number of turns a workout in a short pool entails, capitalize on your turns. Ditto for starts.
It is hard to get into the feel of a long stoke when you hit the wall so often, so extra stroke drill may help, as may resistance sets (pulling a partner, bungee cords, etc.) You will have to mentally challenge yourself to make every stroke long and powerful.
As for the turbulence - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. A race in a calm pool will be soooo easy! If you can, talk the pool management into buying decent wave reducing lane ropes, and/or increasing the water depth so it is level with the deck.
Good luck; I sympathize with your pool predicament.
