Doc Wong's Tech One Reports

[TSandM]

I'm not sure this is really a hijack, since Doc's original post was about the swim test . . .

SB, I may take you up on that, if I can get Peter to videotape me. The video you posted did help, but getting all the way across the pool is still about a 50-50 proposition.

KMD, I'm glad to hear there's a rock you can see as a goal in Ponderosa. The only thing that got me through the underwater swim in Fundies was being able to see the wall I was headed for. Otherwise, I would have given up.

 

[SparticleBrane]

SB, I may take you up on that, if I can get Peter to videotape me. The video you posted did help, but getting all the way across the pool is still about a 50-50 proposition.

Time for you to learn to slay the dragon...

After learning a bit of technique, the underwater swim is a mental game. If you think about how much it sucks and how hard it is, you won't make it. Period.
Think about something else -- do your multiplication tables, tell yourself you can make it, it's right in front of you, think of how good it'll feel when you did it the first time, etc.


This is why I advocate skin-diving skills in a basic OW curriculum -- they increase your comfort level in the water. I always seem to get laughed at when I say something like that, especially to some people in the DIR/GUE crowd. Makes me sad.

 

[rainman_02]

Breath-hold swimming is mostly a mental exercise. The biggest part of it all is not listening to that "Oh my god I have to breathe now" voice in your head.

 

[rjack321]

KMD, I'm glad to hear there's a rock you can see as a goal in Ponderosa. The only thing that got me through the underwater swim in Fundies was being able to see the wall I was headed for. Otherwise, I would have given up.

Oh yes there's a big green algae covered rock with some scrawy white legs standing nearby. You can just about see it from the starting spot

 

[limeyx]

I'm not sure this is really a hijack, since Doc's original post was about the swim test . . .

SB, I may take you up on that, if I can get Peter to videotape me. The video you posted did help, but getting all the way across the pool is still about a 50-50 proposition.

KMD, I'm glad to hear there's a rock you can see as a goal in Ponderosa. The only thing that got me through the underwater swim in Fundies was being able to see the wall I was headed for. Otherwise, I would have given up.

The rock you "see" (at least the way we did the test) is actually out of the water, and we were reminded to put a hand out in front of us as it is quite easy to whack your noggin on it!

I did the c1 swim, but it was sheer determination (driven by mad flutter kicking)
when I try it in the pool, it's disaster. And now I have another one coming up in nov .. maybe in full gear too ... ulp

 

[SparticleBrane]

Limey -- if you can get video of yourself in the pool doing an underwater swim, send it to me and I'll be happy to toss out a few suggestions.

 

[limeyx]

Limey -- if you can get video of yourself in the pool doing an underwater swim, send it to me and I'll be happy to toss out a few suggestions.

Heh, I might be able to.
If you watch it, make sure you are sitting down (alone) with no hot drinks anywhere near that you might spill as you die laughing

It's pretty wretched.

I actually care least about doing it in the pool. Advice on how to do it
- in the ocean
- on a line
- maskless
- with double 130's and 2 AL40s
- for 40-50 feet

would be greatly appreciated -- I (re) start my running regime tonight

 

[KMD]

Oh yes there's a big green algae covered rock with some scrawy white legs standing nearby. You can just about see it from the starting spot

Oh yes. Go second. I do think it makes it easier when you have a buddy sitting at the rock waving at you and encouraging to make that last bit of distance.

Don't go after the instructor though. Its always a bit disheartening to see him do there and back again (150'+) most of the way on his stomach looking up at the surface.

 

[beachhead]

The question for me is if I can swim for 14mins continously........I run, play basketball and a bit of badminton. I have endurance but never had to swim for 14mins straight.

My tech1 begins Oct31....it's a shame that I just read this thread now. I have to rush to a pool tomorrow! I think I'm in trouble.

 

[stefusa]

Quick question,
what distance of breathold they're asking for fundies and tech 1?
Thank you