Getting better at swimming

[winterinmoscow]

I can do the basic strokes but wondered if anyone has got any tips on improving my speed. I feel like I can swim fine, but am not particularly fast and am not as efficient in the water as I'd like

And just how the f*ck do you do a somersault under water to turn without a fear of drowning?! It feels so unnatural!!

 

[Greebo]

I can do the basic strokes but wondered if anyone has got any tips on improving my speed. I feel like I can swim fine, but am not particularly fast and am not as efficient in the water as I'd like

And just how the f*ck do you do a somersault under water to turn without a fear of drowning?! It feels so unnatural!!

Book a few private (pref one to one) swimming lessons. Some public swimming pools offer these but you need to book in advance. AFAIK there's a knack to tumble turns (including springing back off the wall as you come out of it) but you really do need to get somebody else to show you how to do them.

 

[winterinmoscow]

Thanks Greebo. Mr Moscow's idea of trying to "help" me was to grab me and turn me over - which really did lead to me feeling someone was trying to murder me!

 

[IC3D]

I feel I can offer some help. I recommend improving your breathing, taking a breath every other stroke doing front crawl to go fast. Don't put your head too far under and keep your shoulders as flat as possible in the water. If your want to turn quickly without going under try rolling onto your back as you get to the end of the lane and roll the other way round where the air is.

 

[stavros]

I was always taught breathing on every third stroke in freestyle, which will keep your trajectory straight. Also, make sure your hands enter the water thumb-first, and that your kicks are from the whole leg.

 

[bi0boy]

Check out youtube

 

[wayward bob]

i'm a pretty good swimmer but i found the techniques in here really helpful

it's mostly about body position in the water and extending your stroke (you want to maximise how long you spend underwater, basically). it's a while since i read it so i can't remember what else. there's a website that explains it a bit better than i can iirc.