Wetronomes Are Back In Stock (Finally)

We're sorry, we know it's been a while but finally we have Wetronomes in stock again! This funky little tool is in such high demand the manufacturers have been struggling to make enough of them. We've secured a stock of 200 - be quick before they sell out!

www.swimsmooth.com/wetronome

What do they do? Simple really, in Stroke-Rate Mode the Wetronome beeps a regular stroke timing to you at any desired stroke rate (e.g. 60 strokes - or beeps - per minute). Pop it under your swim cap or goggle strap and simply time your hand entry to the beep. In this way you can slow your stroke slightly to work on lengthening out or increase your stroke rate slightly to work on removing deadspots and pauses.

In the new Lap-Interval Mode, the Wetronome sets a lap pace for you. If you want to swim at 1:40 per 100m, you program in 25 seconds per beep. Then simply pace your swim so the Wetronome beeps as you reach each 25m point, giving you perfect pacing. This works in any length of pool, be it yards or meters.

Why is pacing important? Most amateur swimmers and triathletes have very poor pacing. By improving your pacing skills you'll swim faster and your training will be of a higher quality. Great pacing skills are a little known secret of elite swimmers - 'pacing' isn't a very sexy word but don't let that fool you.

The Wetronome lets you take control of your swimming. Find out more: www.swimsmooth.com/wetronome

Gossip: British Swimming own 60 Wetronomes and Australian Swimming own 30 Wetronomes which they use for training their elite swimming squads. Watch this space for an interview with British Swimming we hope to secure soon.

Video: What Is An Efficient Freestyle Stroke?

We all know that Olympic level swimmers are extremely efficient and move staggeringly quickly through water. But have you ever wondered about the range of stroke styles they use to achieve this? And if you've watched an elite triathlon have you noticed they tend to use a different style again?

How can they all use different styles and yet be so quick?

To answer this question we've put together a 10 minute video presentation which you can watch using the link below. It features new hi-def footage shot here in Perth of Athens Olympian Jono Van Hazel and top age group triathlete Sally Scaffidi.

We'll think you'll find the conclusions and implications for your own swimming very interesting:

Click to watch now.

Swim Smooth!

Increase Your Propulsion Or Reduce Your Drag?

** Nadya, this includes a mini rewrite by Paul - if you get a chance could you check again otherwise I'll just send. ;) **

Very broadly there are two ways to become a better swimmer:

a) You can reduce your drag by slipping through the water more easily. You'd achieve this through a better body position and better streamlining.

b) You can increase your propulsion for the same level of physical effort. You'd achieve this by developing your catch, pull, rhythm and timing.

Both of these would increase your overall swimming efficiency. Increased efficiency means you go faster for the same effort, or the same speed for less effort.

So which is more important? What should be my priority?

That depends on you. If your drag is very high working on your propulsion will only bring you small gains in speed. Instead, working on improved streamlining and body position will boost your efficiency and so your speed.

Alternatively, if your propulsion is very poor there's no point continually focusing on lowering your drag. With very poor propulsion you'll never become an efficient swimmer. If you have been swimming for a good while and have been told you have a nice stroke but are still slow, a focus on propulsion makes sense. If you are in this situation we know how frustrating it is to be told you are doing everything right but you aren't making any speed improvements. This is more disconcerting than for someone who has a clear problem to fix! Start focusing on the right thing and you too can make big strides forward.

If you have access to a coach, ask them to watch you swim and tell you whether drag or propulsion is a priority in your stroke. If you don't have a coach, next week on Feel For The Water we'll be posting some techniques you can use to determine which area is a priority for you. It's one of the most useful facts to understand about your swimming.

Swim Smooth!

Increase Your Propulsion Or Reduce Your Drag?

Very broadly there are two ways to become a better swimmer:

a) You can reduce your drag by slipping through the water more easily. You'd achieve this through a better body position and better streamlining.

b) You can increase your propulsion for the same level of physical effort. You'd achieve this by developing your catch, pull, rhythm and timing.

Both of these would increase your overall swimming efficiency. Increased efficiency means you go faster for the same effort, or the same speed for less effort.

So which is more important? What should be my priority?

That depends on you. If your propulsion is very poor there's no point continually focusing on lowering your drag. With very poor propulsion you'll never become an efficient swimmer.

Alternatively if your drag is very high working on your propulsion will only bring you smalls gains in speed. Instead, working on improved streamlining and body position will boost your efficiency and so speed.

If you have access to a coach, ask them to watch you swim and tell you which you should be working on. If you don't have a coach, next week on Feel For The Water we'll be posting some techniques you can use to determine which is a priority for you. It's one of the most useful facts to understand about your swimming.

Swim Smooth!