While planning my off-season, I decided I wanted to focus the off-season on swimming skills.
I was a Red Cross certified lifeguard and swim instructor (WSI) through high school and college. I taught every student the same stroke technique. Through the Lab coaches, I learned this may not be the best method for an endurance athlete in open water.
In the open water, the ability to hold smooth, rhythmical strokes with plenty of momentum is a real advantage when battling swell, chop and the turbulence created by other swimmers close to you. Whilst a very long stroke might look smooth, it’s not always the most effective in the open water…
Swim Smooth Guide To Open Water Swimming
With this knowledge, I had a video-taped swim lesson with Chris Bagg, Head Coach for Chris Bagg Coaching Group.
Swim Lesson
The video-taped lesson was worth it’s weight in gold. Being able to visually see myself swimming, discuss my swim form, then practice new drills was invaluable.
The video revealed I reach and tip my palm up to stop forward motion, then pull. Yikes! After multiple coaches explained “going over a barrel”, I still did not get it. Chris visually drew a circle on my video, and I finally got the concept.
I went away with a video containing my stroke analysis, skills and drills to work on, and Chris’s audio in the video. I was sent a link with access to the Swim Smooth material to reinforce further the skills and drills I learned.
During the lesson, I increased my stroke rate without increased perceived effort. This was a quantitative data point for improvement and I like data. I am now practicing the drills and continuing the stroke rate work with a Finis Tempo Trainer Pro beeper.
If you are an athlete who has not been videotaped swimming, I highly recommend seeing Chris for a session or more. Do not be intimidated. Anyone at any ability can benefit. I wish I had not waited so long to be videotaped.