No PBs at Nationals. Why… and Could It Be The Suit?

No PBs at Nationals. Why… and Could It Be The Suit?

17 May 2013

QUESTION: Hi Gary. My daughter has just completed the South African National Championships and unfortunately she did not swim any personal best times which was devastating for her.  Over the 9 years she is swimming , this is the first year she did not record any personal best times.  She is 17 years old and has a [...]

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Posted in Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments

Transition from Short Course to Long Course Racing

Transition from Short Course to Long Course Racing

10 May 2013

QUESTION: Hi Gary, I have another question regarding my  13 year old swimmer son. He performed very well after your suggestions during the short course season; even placing 8 through 16 at the championship meet with other mostly 14 near 15 year olds! At any rate, as long course season has begun, he is having a [...]

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Posted in Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments

Trains Well, Wants to Race Better

Trains Well, Wants to Race Better

03 May 2013

QUESTION: Hallo Gary, Thank you for the very informative materials I received from you. Late last month my daughter participated in the CANA zone 3 &4 championships in Lusaka. She is 12. We have noticed that she panics a lot and doesn’t do well in competitions compare to training. During trainings she swims very well [...]

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Posted in Coaching, Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments

How to Breath Correctly in Freestyle?

How to Breath Correctly in Freestyle?

20 April 2013

QUESTION: Hi, Could you please answer a question relating to how to breath correctly for freestyle swimming. On the exhale phrase, do I breath out, underwater of course, through my nose or through my mouth or a bit of both, in a long release? Also, when I use the 3 stroke method with a alternating [...]

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Posted in Freestyle, Masters, Questions1 Comment

Why use Fins or Flippers when Swimming?

Why use Fins or Flippers when Swimming?

12 April 2013

QUESTION: Hi Gary Can you please explain the reason why you use flippers when training? And is it better with flippers or with out? Anne ANSWER: Hi Anne, There are many reasons why flippers are used in swimming.  These can be summarised as follows: Using flippers will improve a swimmers body position and their technique. When [...]

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Posted in Butterfly, Coaching, Freestyle, Questions, Squad Swimming, Uncategorized0 Comments

Correct Breathing Pattern in Freestyle

Correct Breathing Pattern in Freestyle

03 April 2013

QUESTION: Hi Gary, I would be very interesting in your opinion on what breathing pattern would you would recommend to young competitive swimmers (10-12 years old) and kids 5-6 years old? Our coach is strictly follows one-side breathing while I have a fear that this will develop very unbalanced technique for kids. Moreover, I see that [...]

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Posted in Coaching, Freestyle, Questions0 Comments

How to do a Backstroke to Breaststroke Turn in an IM

How to do a Backstroke to Breaststroke Turn in an IM

03 April 2013

QUESTION: To Gary, Just a quick query re: the IM, and in particular the backstroke to breaststroke turn. Once the swimmer touches the wall on their back, must they flip backwards or just push off on their front before gliding and pulling through under the water. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated-ie step by [...]

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Posted in Backstroke, Breaststroke, Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments

Parent’s Guide to Competitive Swimming

Parent’s Guide to Competitive Swimming

23 March 2013

For many parents having a “swimmer” in the family is not something they planned.  Most swimmers begin in a learn-to-swim program and progress through to advanced lessons. From there they are asked to complete a couple of sessions in a junior squad and before you know it they are entrenched and absorbed by the sport [...]

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Posted in Coaching, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments