over weight divers please help

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my problem is that i can't manorver in the water very well. like turning. when i start on one side of the pool and go to the other then turn my body will not turn right. i have to stop and turn then start to swim again. when we had to touch the bottom it was jsut with fins, mask and snorkel. i would get maby a foot from touching the bottom and i would bounce back up. any suggestions and turning?
thanks
brians wife
 
Again, from a "newbie"

My first few sessions in the water I fought physics. I am 180 Lb, 5'6", wear a size 12, so I am an OK size, but it all affected me in the water. I had to learn how I felt in the water, and more so, how water controled my movements.

Land Example: You need to plan on slowing a car down before you turn it, otherwise you over shoot the corner.

Same thing in the water, you need to learn how your movements cause you to move in the water, swimsuit, body suit, body suit and gear. It all changes just slightly. The water will always win in a "tug-of-will" I've found out, you need to outsmart it.

Quit fighing the water physics, practice, accept the fact that some movements feel clumsier geared up, but are quite possibly correct.

First few laps in the pool with m-f-s&suit, I missed turning at the pool wall by a few feet, (It seemed closer than it was), then I overcorrected and ran into the wall, pushed myself away. I'm not a water nymph, but I don't want to be one either.

There have been a few times in OW that I feel truly graceful, but with my lack of experience I'm concentrating on learning how to get where I want to go; e.g. read the swell and surge correctly and not over swim.

PS, I spent extra sessions in the pool working on these things, and although I am certified, I need to continue to work on them. I'll never catch up to my extremely coordinated, athletic husband in skill, but I dive with him to share the experience, not for a work-out.

8-)
 
sealkie:
Bri`s Wife

I your instructor said you can`t swim well --- you need to swim - with you mask fins and snorkle on - a lot

Ask you intructor for more specific tips on what you are doing wrong - It`s tough when we can`t see you !

Does all you gear fit ok ? - are your fins too stiff for you ?? .. maybe you need to switch to a more flexible pair


as far as the snorkel gear goes she is very comfortible in them.She has Mares volo power fins and a mares mask that fits her realy well. So as far as gear goes she is ok.

i am going to have her go into the pool later with just snorkel gear on and play with the weights with her. and try to get her to be a little more comfortable in under the water on breath holds.

thanks
brian
 
also the bcd that she is using in the class is a mares with the weight intergated system (quck release). she is wearing #7 on each side up front and #3 on each side on the rear weight pockets. and she is wearing #2 on eack ankle. i think that she is a little over weighted with lead. i am going to try to get here weighted out in the pool with a weight belt and go from there with the bcd weights.

thanks
brian
 
23angler:
...the instructor will not let her go into the ocean dives until she becomes a little more adjile in the water.
Not advise, just a comment. Many instructors today would just push you through the class. Your instructor sounds like a good one, and when you do get it all nailed (and I know you will), you'll be a better diver for it. Good job, keep at it!
 
What kind of exposure suit is she using? Does it fit correctly, with no bubbles in the areas of the joints (arm pits, elbows, back of the knees, hips)? Is she kicking from the hips instead of the knees? And by all means, relax, breathe, and exhale fully to sink!!
 

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