Becoming a Better and Faster Swimmer - Where do you Start?

Recently, I had the privilege of attending a clinic by Karlyn Pipes of Aquatic Edge, Inc. The clinic was designed for coaches and organized by New England Masters Swimming.

I didn't want to miss the opportunity to meet and learn from someone who pulled herself out of the depths of addiction to become a swimming world champion with a variety of records and achievements (take a peak at Karlyn's impressive bio).

​Karlyn's presentation was energetic, yet focused and simple. Focused and simple works well in life and in the water. It is also the basic idea behind this blog. Below I will detail some key concepts from the clinic mixed with my own thoughts on becoming a better and faster swimmer.

Tips for becoming a Better and Faster Swimmer

Make a Mental Shift
~Be open to change in your stroke and your practice methods.
~Be willing to get out of your comfort zone.
~Make a commitment to consistency and self-awareness.
~Talk positively about your swimming. No negativity in the water.
~Think of yourself as a swimmer, no matter your swim background!

"If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten." - Anonymous

Increase Self-Awareness
~Feel how you currently swim. Find words to describe these feelings.*
~Look at what you are doing. Take a peek at your hand/arm position on the glide, pull and recovery phase of your stroke.
~If possible use a mirror and/or underwater and above water video to look at your stroke.
~Look at your stroke from head to toe. Note head position, arm pull pattern, elbow depth, rotation/core connection, and kick. Note what needs correction and develop a plan on what to focus on first, pick only one or two focus points at a time. Often when you focus top down, the back half of your body sorts itself out! (You may want to do this with a coach or a knowledgeable swim buddy.)

*This step will be critical as your stroke changes/improves. You will have words and feelings to help compare the old and new.

Enhance your self-awareness with these tips.

Practice
~Drills enhance self-awareness of correct technique.
~Drills provide an opportunity to contrast new and old form. Find words to describe new feelings with new movement patterns and compare with old.
~Drills reinforce new and correct movement patterns. Allow yourself ample time to learn proper new movement patterns.
~Consistency in the water is critical.

"Don't count the laps, make the laps count." Unknown

Get Hooked Up!
~Get connected with a swim coach, because having a knowledgable set of eyes can do wonders for correcting form.
~Take video of your stroke. If you don't have underwater video capability, don't give up, there is a lot to be learned from above water video.
~Find quality swimming resources online.

Some of my favorite online resources, click on them to learn more.

~5 Key Techniques to Improve Freestyle with Karyln Pipes & Vasa Trainer

~The Race Club

~Go Swim

~Swim Smooth

~Swim Like A Pro

~USA Swimming

~US Masters Swimming