The Difference Two Tenths Of A Second Can Make To Your Swimming

Before today's blog, a quick apology from us. We know that many of you are frustrated you could not get a slot on our UK clinics. The clinics in England filled up within 2 hours of last week's announcement which was so quick it caught everyone off guard (even us!). We're sorry for your frustration and hope to be back in the UK very soon for another series.

(by the way there are still a few places available on the Lanark clinic (nr Glasgow) if you're quick: www.swimsmooth.com/clinics)

--------------

The Difference Two Tenths Of A Second Can Make To Your Swimming

A few months ago we wrote this very popular post about the catch phase of the stroke: http://www.feelforthewater.com/2010/06/why-good-catch-is-so-elusive-wrong-can.html

We explained there how a bad catch presses down on the water or even pushes forwards, putting on the brakes. Because water is 800 times more dense than air this is hard work and critically it takes a bit of extra time as you push against the water.

This delay probably has more impact on your stroke than you think. If it adds just two tenths of a second then it will decrease your stroke rate from 60 to 54 strokes per minute - a big drop off which will definitely harm your performances, particularly in open water.

We see this all the time with swimmers we consult with - by improving their catch action their stroke rate naturally increases, often without them realising it. For this reason it's almost impossible to have a slow stroke rate and a good catch - an interesting thought all by itself.

Swim Smooth!