Swimming for surfersNo matter how much you want to surf, sometimes there are days when going out is just not an option. So what to do...? Swim! When conditions due to weather or otherwise make surfing impossible, keeping in shape for surfing is best achieved by staying in the water. Swim sessions are strong workouts for surfing, such as paddling and breath control.
Skills? It is a good idea to mix up your program to keep it interesting and prepare your body for different conditions and circumstances in the ocean.
Feel comfortable and confident with your ability and skills in the ocean.
Contact Linda for Learn to Swim, Introduction to Ocean Swimming, Ocean Swim Skills and Stroke Correction lessons.
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Naomi contacted GoodSwim wanting to progress with her swimming ability and also to feel more comfortable in the ocean. As a keen surfer, Naomi felt she needed more confidence with waves, moving water and reading the ocean. Need to get more confident in the ocean – contact Goodswim today and chat to Linda about a tailor made solution. What was your swim ability before you started swimming with GoodSwim? My body knows how to float and swim short distance in a pool or in the shallow part of the ocean. I have never thought about ocean swimming. How did you feel after your first few sessions? I was never able to swim freestyle but I did it on our first lesson! Linda’s instruction was super clear that all I had to do was practice. Swimming long distance (i.e. one end to the other end of a pool) has never been a fun activity for me but I began to enjoy it.
Coaches notes: Naomi came to GoodSwim looking to gain confidence in the ocean and learn how to breathe efficiently and effectively doing freestyle. After several pool sessions to work on her breathing and ability to stay calm and relaxed Naomi became too reliant on the pool walls for comfort and they also created distance barriers. So we progressed slowly into the ocean where Naomi started to feel at home and loved to watch the fish as she swam along. In fact it was getting harder and harder to get Naomi to continue swimming and not get distracted by the fish! We also did some small wave body surfing which she also loved and I have never seen a smile so BIG. Naomi also reached her goal of swimming Manly to Shelly beach and it was beautifully captured by another great friend and swimmer @hesgallery. See video here >
As surfers we need to be sure of our own ability to be in the ocean and being able to swim is both essential and potentially life saving! Always respect the ocean and look at the conditions and ask yourself... 'If my leash breaks whilst out surfing could I swim to shore or safety?'.
If you are looking for ocean or surf swimming lessons get in touch today! Esme came to GoodSwim with a love for the water but wanting to progress from breaststroke and become more efficient in her freestyle stroke. Also wanting to become more relaxed and comfortable in open/ocean water. Need to get more confident in the ocean – contact Goodswim today and chat to Linda about a tailor made solution. What was your swim ability before you started swimming with GoodSwim? I am a breaststroke swimmer who loves ocean swimming, I wanted to learn freestyle (the crawl) having stopped at some point as a kid. I had previously learned a few pointers at a few group lessons elsewhere however my confidence was low and I needed someone to really look at what I was doing and needed to do. How did you feel after your first few sessions? My first lesson I was nervous and embarrassed, I’m not very good with direct attention especially relating to athletics. It was exactly what was needed though. The first thing that Linda did was enable my confidence as a swimmer, highlighting my strengths and investigating areas for improvement. The classes were challenging in the best possible way and I could feel myself improving. How did GoodSwim help you on your swim journey? I feel that I have been given excellent tools to help me become a better swimmer and have valued all of my swim lessons and ocean time with GoodSwim. Linda is supportive whilst being analytical so my stroke and ability are continually improving. GoodSwim is an extremely apt name both the lessons and regarding becoming a (better) swimmer. What was a breakthrough/stand out moment for you? Linda asked me when moving from oceans pools into the open water, can you feel it when you move into a current, I couldn’t I was still thinking about too many things, other swimmers, the massive waves, the open water, where the shore was, sea life, my breath, my arms, my legs, my body in the water, my foggy goggles, a rogue swim cap and my ability. I love it now when that’s all I feel, I’m moving through the current swimming. It's not all time, it's just a really lovely moment. Do you have a goal or personal achievement you are working for in 2020? I still have work to do on becoming the capable swimmer I want to be, I’m focusing on technique, fitness and confidence all of the time, as an adult learner slow and steady is ok by me. Then it's time to join some open water swimmers freestyle. Coaches notes: Esme came to GoodSwim looking to learn freestlye and gain knowledge of how to breathe efficiently and effectively. As a breaststroke swimmer Esme relied upon that stroke whenever she got out of breath and was feeling uncomfortable. But from a couple of pool sessions she begin to gain more distance without stopping and to breath more comfortably. We also did a couple of sessions in the ocean to gain more confidence without walls to rely on. Being in the open ocean comes with its own set of challenges both physically and mentally. Esme was able to work on both of those elements whilst feeling the freedom of ocean swimming and trying to overcome being pushed outside her comfort zone.
There are only 2 things when swimming freestyle that will give you more power and speed. Less resistance and drag and a correct catch and pull underwater. So the 'High Elbow Catch and Pull' phrase... When swimming freestyle we want to keep a high-elbow catch. This means keeping your elbows closer to the surface of the water during the first part of your stroke. This puts the forearms in the position to catch the water along with the hand, adding more forward propulsion and creating less resistance. Remember... fingertips below wrist, wrist below elbow through your entire stroke.
As you extend your arms forward to begin the catch, the point of your elbow is typically down. Rotate the point of your elbow out and toward the surface. This will allow you to get the fingers pitched down and the elbow up. Having a good feel for the water is essential if you want to progress with your swimming.
We love to hear about our clients swimming journeys with GoodSwim... What was your swim ability before you started swimming with GoodSwim? I could only swim the normal breaststroke but wasn’t able to do a good chest crawl. How did you feel after your first few sessions? After the very first lesson I already felt so much improvement and was sure I was able to learn it in a relatively short period. How did GoodSwim help you on your swim journey? Linda is such a fun, lovely woman who has a lot of patience and she has so many good tips. That helped me a lot. What was a breakthrough/stand out moment for you? That I felt that I was a much faster swimmer and it cost me less effort than a normal breaststroke. Do you have a goal or personal achievement you are working for in 2020? I have not yet set a goal for 2020 as my reason for taking the swimming lessons was mainly to gain skills and use it to improve my paddling for surfing. When there’s no surf I can always decide now to swim instead! Coaches notes: Flo came to GoodSwim looking to learn freestlye and gain knowledge of how to breathe efficiently and effectively. Flo progressed from the basics of learning how to breath, into a relaxed and smooth freestyle swimmer after just 4 x 30 minute swimming lessons. From swimming 5 metres with her head out of the water to swimming multiple 50 metre laps of the pool comfortably was both amazing and a privilege to a part of her journey. EPIC FLO! Flo also applied the skills to her surfing and became more confident in the ocean. It improved her paddle strength, technique and also for ability to control her breathing in conditions and situations outside of her comfort zone. As surfers we need to be sure of our own ability to be in the ocean and being able to swim is both essential and potentially life saving!
Innumerable benefits of cold water swimming OK so there is no avoiding it... winter is upon us and the ocean temperature is also dropping. But do not let that hold your ocean swimming back as it is proven that cold water has its own innumerable benefits. Personally I never regret being in or around the ocean no matter what the conditions, it has a certain healing power and it may improve your mood.
So what are some of those benefits...
Come and join me for an ocean swim and let's get out there and enjoy it.
Are you struggling with your breathing whilst swimming?
Sounding all a lot easier said than done?! If you want to work on your breathing technique whilst swimming then contact me on 0404 245 825 and we can a create a personal program suited to your abilities.
Are you confident in your surf swimming skills?
4. Go with the waves Never paddle to the channel or the rip, as it will most likely suck you back out. So just go for a medium set wave, body surf it for as long as you can. Don’t get to picky, it may take several waves to get to the shore. Be careful with big powerful whitewater, especially on a big day as it can push you down and tumble you around and again create panic and waste your energy to fight for the surface.
 Most important: When doing your surf check ask yourself before you head into the waves… ‘if my leash breaks out the back, could I swim in safely and confidently?’ We all like to challenge ourselves and push our surfing ability to help improve but safety first. You could be putting yourself in danger and/or others who try to help you.
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