Cold Water Adaption
Years ago as a youngster I was a member of an outdoor swimming club, I still have not so pleasant memories of the early spring and the autumn; turning blue as I attempted my laps in the not so warm water. These memories put me off cold water swimming for many years. It was my interest in surfing that got me back into cold water and then an English Channel swim relay that finally brought me back to face those bad memories of childhood. Sure I am heavier now than I was as a youngster. Extra insulation certainly helps in the cold water. But I also...
Use it or lose it!
What an ingenious design our bodies are, they have mobility, agility, temperature control, intelligence, etc. Disappointly we make little use of the vast array of attributes our bodies provide. The scary thing is the human body is so clever it can recognise that we no longer need a function. Your nervous system basically 'forgets' how to perform a task. This can be summarised by the term 'use it or lose it', and when it is applied to the human body it is oh so true. That is why consistent movement is so important to keep the nervous system in tip top condition. What is your nervous...
Efficient Swimming
Last weekend I spent some time on YouTube doing some swimming research. The internet is a terrific medium for looking at ideas, research and training methods on a global level. The only problem is anyone can publish on the internet. After searching ‘efficient swimming’ and looking at all the different YouTube submissions even I was getting a little confused, it is difficult to ascertain who is the ‘expert’ and correct, let alone who is explaining Efficient Swimming best. I thought it best to retire to my back garden and study my fish in the pond for a time to see if by studying their swim action...
Historical Swimming Tips
A couple of little historical beauties to put a smile on your face this week: “Health and beauty usually go hand in hand, and it is because so many ladies have realised that swimming beautifies not only the figure but the face also – that there is, in fact, more real and lasting loveliness to be had from a sixpenny visit to the baths than from a guinea’s-measure of costly ingenuities at Madame Seraphina’s “beauty parlour” – that swimming has won such enormous popularity among women during recent years.” Quoted from page 176 of ‘The new magic of swimming’ 1934. And from the same Chapter 2 titled ‘How...
Pool or Open Water?
I often get asked which I prefer “pool or open water swimming?" My answer is simply “both”, often I will get asked for a more definitive answer. The pool offers me a chance to swim without the hassle of waves, current, sharks or the risk of getting run over by a boat or jet ski. I can work on my technique, my fitness and my speed in an environment that provides few distractions. My swimming definitely would not be where it is today without the work and laps I have invested in the 100’s of pools around the world over my lifetime. Racing in a swim...
Open H2O Swimming: Managing the Risk
Having just completed a month of nothing but open water swimming the topic is fresh in my mind. There are plenty of hazards out there; the obvious such as jellyfish, hypothermia, sharks, sea urchins, currents and tides, boats and jet ski traffic, pollution, wind and waves....
Calling All Swimmers
On 16 June I wrote about a journey back to New Zealand to support my dad who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The brilliant news is following surgery he has been given the all clear. Only yesterday on the front page of the Daily Telegraph I noted an article on the dramatic increase of reported cancer in the UK. Part of this is actually good news as a proportion of the increase is attributed to better screening and earlier detection, unfortunately that does not account for all of the increase in cancer rates. Exercise and healthy living have always been and will continue to be one of our...
Open Water Swimming Technique
The best place to learn text book freestyle or crawl technique is in the pool. Open water swimming is much more than just simply following a line on the bottom which is why it is so exciting, whether you are just swimming for fitness or training for a triathlon or ironman the following tips may help you out in the open water. ...
Dryland Resistance Training
I truly believe swimming is one of the best forms of exercise available. You get a terrific all round work out that places demands on the majority of muscles as well as your cardiovascular system. It provides conditioning and weight loss opportunities with a reduced risk of injury. ...
Aquasphere Kayenne goggle review
Yesterday was my first time using the Aquasphere Kayenne goggles, talk about a terrific experience. You know when you want to buy a new pair of jeans how difficult it can be? You try on 100 pair but only 1 fits well and when you find that pair...