DM Swim Test - what training do you recommend

[dingopauly]

Hi, I started swim training about 2 months before I did the Dm. I couldn't even swim 100m non stop when I started, but 1 hour 3 times a week and i got my 400m time down to 11:30 which is good enought for 2 points. now i can do it in 10:40. the biggest gain I found was buying proper swim trunks, I was wearing swimming shorts, when i went to trunks my time dropped by over a minute!, huge drag on the shorts. The other big help was watching videos on you tube, some good technique tips there, and it is free! Good luck and enjoy it

 

[TMHeimer]

Hi, I started swim training about 2 months before I did the Dm. I couldn't even swim 100m non stop when I started, but 1 hour 3 times a week and i got my 400m time down to 11:30 which is good enought for 2 points. now i can do it in 10:40. the biggest gain I found was buying proper swim trunks, I was wearing swimming shorts, when i went to trunks my time dropped by over a minute!, huge drag on the shorts. The other big help was watching videos on you tube, some good technique tips there, and it is free! Good luck and enjoy it

A good example of how just swimming a lot (with decent form) is all one may need to do to get the speed up. I went from basically zero to getting a 3. It took me about 6 months, but I was only able to get to the pool once weekly (due to distance). Don't know if the other daily workout stuff I did really helped much at all--probably a little.

 

[endurodog]

I'm getting ready for my swim test and have not swam much in the last 20 years except for fun. I have kept up on my arobics and train 4 days a week. Have been a little worried about it and gonna hit the pool a few times to work on pace. I have heard about some passing without doing a lot of prep and some that sound like they prepped a lot. Would like to hear more experinces for those that have taken it about prep and how they did on it, no need to give numbers but overall experince would be nice. Thanks.

 

[Davemohio]

I just completed mine, thru SDI. I used to be a competitive swimmer, which gave me an edge. BUT that was 30 plus years ago. I work with weights and do very little cardio and no swimming. I prepped by swimming laps and my times were horrible I had to start practicing more and this was the only way I could do it in a reasonable time. Swimming that long works out muscles that we RARELY use and this is a challenge. I swam laps once or twice a week for a couple of months and this helped me greatly. I got down to 7:11 and was very pleased. I took a month off due to a sinus infection. I completed it Friday at 8:26. Probably due to the fact I have NOT practiced in a while. IMHO practice swimming laps is the key. Good luck!

 

[bracko]

I'm getting ready for my swim test and have not swam much in the last 20 years except for fun. I have kept up on my arobics and train 4 days a week. Have been a little worried about it and gonna hit the pool a few times to work on pace. I have heard about some passing without doing a lot of prep and some that sound like they prepped a lot. Would like to hear more experinces for those that have taken it about prep and how they did on it, no need to give numbers but overall experince would be nice. Thanks.

I think that depends on age, general fittness, and whether you have ever been a swimmer.

we had 3 guys, 2 of us in our 20's and one in his mid/late 30's. I was a swimmer, but hadn't done much training (about 6 sessions, jumping in, timing myself for the 400 dash then doing various laps, sprints, fin work to take me up to 1-1.5km in a 1 hr-ish session) and was i think either just on a 4 or 10 seconds off. the other 20's guy (also late 20's) did less training and got a 4, he was taller and leaner than i am.

the guy in his mid/late 30's was a DNF first time around with no training, i don't know what he scored in the end.

having done a lot of swimming in my earlier years I'd strongly suggest taking adult swimming lessons or 'swimming for fitness' classes if they're around your area. technique has changed a lot if you were a swimmer 20 years ago and if you are of some fitness it won't take long to be 'swim fit' a consolidated effort of a few times a week for 6-8 weeks would be enough to get you there if you are reasonably fit.

good luck doing these stamina tests actually gave me a good wake up call to stop being a lazy ass and get into sport again.

 

[endurodog]

Good info guys, thanks. I'm 45 and in pretty good shape, I bike, lift weights and race dirt bikes in endurance events so have stayed in shape for that. Havn't really swam in years and went to the pool yesterday for lap swimming. Glad I did and I will work on it for a while now before taking the swim test stuff. I started out way to fast and didn't pace myself. My laps I timed were better than what I was shooting for just not able to maintain that, so need to slow down and find my pace and work on the stamina thing. Hope this helps others that are looking for info on this. Go to the pool and start doing laps!!!

 

[MrsBBC]

If you have been swimming regularly then you will be fine on the day.

The floating/treading water, there is no excuse for not getting a 5. My instructor told me off for floating and said If I must float then could I at least look as if I was trying. I asked him what the point was given that the instruction manual says, float, tread or drown proof. He made me tread water... which is not a problem, just irritating considering it is not required. If I was stuck at sea, why would I waste the energy?
Ha! Got him back my final rescue scenario, that'll serve him right for not removing his nipple piercings when I knew I had to get him into our dive boat unaided. HAHAHAHA

The 800m swim I decided to swim in jet fins, seeing as that is what I dive with and I wanted to know what speed I would be capable of. I was very slow and scored a 2.
I then tried my instructors twin jets. If we had the time to redo the test I am confident that I would have scored a 4, unfortunately, tying up the boat/driver/instructor again was not a priority. I was exceptionally fast in the twin jets and swimming was effortless. The jetfins however were exhausting.

The 400m swim.... I swim regularly and consistently swim 2500m within an hour and can now swim 5000m within 2 hours (i intentionally have an inefficient turn to maximise the distance I swim). I am not however a fast swimmer. I have the stamina and endurance but cannot swim fast. I scored a 3, swimming front crawl. Looking at the times I don't think I could possibly have scored a 4 but I know that I am a strong swimmer.
I also don't think male swimmers would have much of a problem with this. Given my personal fitness compared to other male swimmers I lane share with in the pool, men naturally have more strength and power. Something which even with serious gym training, I am not going to develop. I watch unfit males with open fingers and poor inefficient, untidy and splashy technique power ahead of me.

The 100m tow I scored a 4, nearly a 5. Could probably have scored a 5 If I had a gauge of my distance, but all my swimming was in the sea so I had no idea of how far I had left to swim. For this one I suggest you power it as if you're being chased by a White shark. The distance isn't far enough for you to tire, given that you're wearing fins.
I suggest you tow from behind and don;t use the porno push method.

Most importantly don't stress about it, it's not that bad
Nic

 

[MrsBBC]

Also have you timed yourself swimming 400m?
It may sound ridiculous, but if like me you are a slow swimmer, try to get to the pool when you can secure a lane to yourself and time yourself swimming 400m, repeatedly. It will give you an idea of how to pace yourself on the day
Nic

 

[endurodog]

Nic thanks for your comments. I have been going to the pool for a couple of weeks and without pushing to much I'm in the 2 range all ready on the 400. I'm doing this near Denver Colorado so we are 5000' above sea level and other fit test I have done compensate for the difference between sea level so I'm feeling pretty good about it. I've done the tread water all ready, just have the rest of it to do. I work out lots as is but the swim is something different. I know my stroke could use lots of improvement but it will be good enough to get me through. Been 30 years since I did any real swimming laps so lots to remember.

Thanks for your comments!!!

 

[Easdem]

For me, I started going steadily to the GYM since January and worked with a trainer, I was not unfit, but needed some work. I did endurance training and running. I was a good competitive swimmer in my teens, so my technique is good. I only really hit the pool for 2 times a week for about a month before the swims, I wanted to get my pacing right. I was swimming 4 points times at the GYM but ending up beat…so I found comfortable pace and did it in 9:00 for 3 points.

The tread is really a piece of cake…However, the 800m and the 100m tow were by far more challenging. I did both the 800m and 100m tow back to back. It is important to blow air out your nose periodically during the 800 swim to clear the CO2 from the snorkel and get fresh air in your lungs. The will be needed if you use your snorkel instead of your reg during the tow. I did the 800m in 17:28 (3) and the 100 in 2:51 (4)…The last 10m of the 100 were hard as hell…I just pushed hard and got it done.

I ended up with 15 points, and I just have to complete the “problem-solving” exercise with any score and pass the waterman ship portion…