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 [...]
Archive | Questions
No PBs at Nationals. Why… and Could It Be The Suit?
Posted on 17 May 2013.
Posted in Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments
Transition from Short Course to Long Course Racing
Posted on 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 [...]
Posted in Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments
Trains Well, Wants to Race Better
Posted on 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 [...]
Posted in Coaching, Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments
How to Breath Correctly in Freestyle?
Posted on 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 [...]
Why use Fins or Flippers when Swimming?
Posted on 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 [...]
Posted in Butterfly, Coaching, Freestyle, Questions, Squad Swimming, Uncategorized0 Comments
Correct Breathing Pattern in Freestyle
Posted on 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 [...]
Posted in Coaching, Freestyle, Questions0 Comments
How to do a Backstroke to Breaststroke Turn in an IM
Posted on 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 [...]
Posted in Backstroke, Breaststroke, Competitions / Swim Meets, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments
Parent’s Guide to Competitive Swimming
Posted on 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 [...]
Posted in Coaching, Questions, Squad Swimming0 Comments
