I'm training for my second triathlon - now that I know better and know what to expect I'm actually researching and trying to learn more and think this site is great! Thanks to everyone who provides their expertise.
I have a question about lap swimming though, I've never learned how to flip turn, so I get to the end turn around and come back. Two questions on that, does that affect my swim by not doing the flip turn? Guessing not much since there is no flip turning in open water...and second how could one learn to do a flip turn? Feel kinda foolish when even the grandma's are doing them and I can't :-[
Thanks!
Shirin
Parents
Former Member
Another benefit to flip turns is the stretch it gives your back. This can really help you overall in your swimming (as well as running and cycling). Open turn swimmers tend to really tighten up, which lowers your overall distance capacity.
Most beginners also suffer from poor body position in the water. I believe that flip turns will help you to keep a more horizontal position. Concentrate on keeping the water line coming into the wall at the crown of your head. If you do the open turn, then the tendency is to raise your head which gives you an inefficient body position coming into the wall - your hips sink lower and you are pushing a lot of water coming into the wall. Even though you are training for open water swimming, you don't want to develop this type of body position.
One final thought, I did not like the advice you got earlier regarding sweeping the wall with the fingertips before flipping - you are way, way too close to the wall for this.
Another benefit to flip turns is the stretch it gives your back. This can really help you overall in your swimming (as well as running and cycling). Open turn swimmers tend to really tighten up, which lowers your overall distance capacity.
Most beginners also suffer from poor body position in the water. I believe that flip turns will help you to keep a more horizontal position. Concentrate on keeping the water line coming into the wall at the crown of your head. If you do the open turn, then the tendency is to raise your head which gives you an inefficient body position coming into the wall - your hips sink lower and you are pushing a lot of water coming into the wall. Even though you are training for open water swimming, you don't want to develop this type of body position.
One final thought, I did not like the advice you got earlier regarding sweeping the wall with the fingertips before flipping - you are way, way too close to the wall for this.
