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These articles are not intended to be a substitute for medical care. If you are concerned about a particular medical condition or injury, please see your health care provider for evaluation and care.
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March 11, 2010
An Open Water Swimming Hero
By Steven Munatones
A True Story of an American Collegiate Swimming Coach
FINA’s 25K (15.5-mile) open water swim typically takes between five and six hours for the world’s best marathon swimmers to finish, depending on the water and weather conditions.
The open water swimming events at the 2009 World Swimming Championships were delayed because of bad weather. Of these races, the 25K race was held under the most difficult conditions. Strong winds and turbulent seas were difficult on everyone involved – from the athletes in the water to the coaches on the feeding pontoons.
It was under these conditions that FINA official Rick Walker of Southern Illinois University became a hero and reminded us how diligent and observant race officials, judges and coaches must be when participating in open water swimming events.
March 11, 2010
Pool Open Water (POW) Training
By Gerry Rodrigues
Since many swimmers who like to swim open water don’t always get the chance to train there, we asked world-class open water swimmer and coach Gerry Rodrigues for some pool drills to help with open water preparation. He sent us a few that are sure to help even the most landlocked coach prepare his or her swimmers and triathletes for the rigors of open water. The first few drills he shared appeared in the March-April issue of SWIMMER.
March 1, 2010
Once Upon A Time...
By Linda Shoenberger
Once upon a time there was a swimmer who didn’t want to compete in swim competitions. She just wanted to do fitness swimming and enjoy the camaraderie of a USMS workout group.
But she also wanted to swim all the pool races offered in USMS competition. She couldn’t imagine herself racing the 200 butterfly in front of a bunch of other swimmers, coaches and spectators. But she could imagine herself swimming the 200 butterfly in practice at a leisurely pace without the pressure of being at a swim meet.
March 1, 2010
Meditation and Swimming
By Mark Cibula
I dove into the lake, sinking down into the water, immediately feeling the silence. I could no longer hear my friends talking on the shore. There it was. Peace; aloneness with water and nature. Floating five feet below the surface, I could look up and see light and look down into the beautiful blue water. Fish swam by. My muscles felt calm and smooth in the gentle motion of the water. The softness and coolness felt good. I was present.
If you feel a certain peace from swimming, you are not alone.
February 26, 2010
The Importance of Team
By Daniel Slocki, Speedo Sports Marketing
Hypothetical situation: You are 12 years old and you just joined a soccer team. What is the first thing your parents had to do? Buy you a team uniform.
Now fast-forward 30 years. You have just joined your local Masters swim club, what should be the first thing you do? Well, why should the answer be any different from 30 years ago?
February 24, 2010
Has This Ever Happened To You?
By Marcia Cleveland
- It can happen if you are experienced or a novice.
- It can happen in any type of water: calm, rough, salt, fresh, ocean, river, or lake.
- It can happen during a race or merely during a calm dip, and at any point in a swim: start, middle, end.
- It can happen when you are surrounded by the Pack or when no one is near you.
- It’s a basic survival instinct.
- Even though I’ve spent thousands of hours training and racing in open water, it still happens to me sometimes.
What is it?
February 22, 2010
Free/Back Combo Drill
By Kerry O'Brien, Walnut Creek Masters
This Free/Back Combo Drill is a drill that anyone can incorporate into their training. We’ve mentioned time and time again the importance of head position and body alignment and this drill focuses on both of these elements as it transitions between freestyle based and backstroke based swimming. You can use this drill during your warm up or cool down before or after a backstroke set and is great for triathletes as an opportunity to “take a break” from the typical all-freestyle triathlon workout. This drill can be swum short course or long course.
February 16, 2010
Still Having Trouble Understanding the Suit Rules?
By Kathy Casey
“My swimmers have been asking if they can wear their LZRs at nationals in May. Can they wear those and other tech suits at nationals in May?”
Kathy Casey, Rules Committee Chair answers this question and others regarding suit rules...
February 16, 2010
The Socratic Open Water Method
By Steven Munatones
Teachers using the Socratic method create an environment where individuals learn based on a series of questions that stimulate their thinking and help illuminate specific concepts. The Socratic method can be modified and utilized by coaches and athletes for open water swimming.
A coach should be inquisitive – not instructive – after an open water race. By asking questions, coaches can enable their athletes to internalize and understand what they did in a race – both the good and bad. By encouraging the athlete – of any age and any level – to visualize who they were swimming with, what their pace was, how did they feel, the shape of the pack, their positioning during the race, the athlete will eventually become a more seasoned performer.
February 15, 2010
Including an Injured Swimmer in Your Workout
By Nadine Day, Illinois Masters
Communication with your swimmers is key to a successful partnership between an athlete and a coach. Talk to your swimmers on a daily basis. Getting feedback regarding training will allow you to adjust and modify workouts according to the way your swimmers are feeling. Some of us may have swimmers who are not willing to share about their aches and pains. In these situations it is vital that you watch their swimming. Does good technique seem to aggravate symptoms of an injury? If your swimmers are injured or aching, a simple stroke modification can decrease unnecessary stress to joints and muscles and keep your swimmers in the pool.
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