Swimming Help

[ArcticDiver]

Most of my diving is from boats. But a week ago I did a bit of shore diving with some really nice people. I discovered that I am s-l-o-w swimming. I need to be able to swim faster both with scuba gear and without.

I borrowed some stiffer fins (Turtles) that helped. But they only helped. What I need is to build my technique.

I'm putting more emphasis on leg structure exercises. So that should address muscle fitness.

Where I am now it is really tough to find liquid water. But, I'm headed for Oahu for a few weeks.

So, is there a class, or specific technique that someone can demonstrate, etc that will speed up my swim speed?

I got nothing to do while I'm on Oahu but dive, learn to swim better and eat at good restaurants. Can someone help with the swimming?

 

[KazooDiver]

My thought to this would be....to swim, and to swim often!

Take a swimming class...now I know learning how to swim properly will not help with scuba on....but your body will be condition to swim and that will definitely help.

 

[REII]

When you kick, don't bend your knees. Kick with your with your whole leg. Large scissor kicks.

TOM

 

[123Scuba.com]

When you kick, don't bend your knees. Kick with your with your whole leg. Large scissor kicks.

TOM

Like Tom said... It may also be easier for you to roll onto your back. I've had some looooong surface swims in full gear and that made a real difference for me. I had no trouble keeping up and I was able to glide a little in between strokes.

 

[ArcticDiver]

My thought to this would be....to swim, and to swim often!

Take a swimming class...now I know learning how to swim properly will not help with scuba on....but your body will be condition to swim and that will definitely help.

Any ideas on Oahu?

 

[ArcticDiver]

Like Tom said... It may also be easier for you to roll onto your back. I've had some looooong surface swims in full gear and that made a real difference for me. I had no trouble keeping up and I was able to glide a little in between strokes.

Thanks for the tip but I'm already swimming on my back. Ditched the snorkle, except for snorkeling, and rolled over on my back the day afte original certification.

I will try the whole leg kick. Never have done that in any position so we'll see.

 

[Jon C]

When I was getting ready for my DM cert, I was stressed about being able to do the required swim in...what was it? 16 laps, under 10 minutes? Well, I could barely do a lap when I started but got it down to 8 mins 15 sec. consistently. It just took a lot of practice.

That having been said, a lot of swimming (less gear) would be helpful, but I have to believe the added friction/weight of the tank, bc, etc. cannot be duplicate on land (exercises). Playing basketball everyday doesn't seem to help me with swimming.

It will all come down to diving a lot and avoiding getting dangerously fatigued on the way out. Ohau is a good place to get started, I would say! Use that full leg kick as mentioned and swim like the wind....or something like that. Good luck.

Jon

 

[MikeFerrara]

I guess it's ok to want to be capable of swimming faster but why do you "need" to go faster? Was someone chasing you?

 

[sbrooks]

Agreed with 123 -
roll over to your back, it helps keep your fins in the water... they don't work well in the air

 

[Cheekymonkey]

Full foot fins will do wonders for your surface swims.