When it comes to refining your swimming technique, the way you move your arms over the water during the 'recovery phase' is more important than you might think.

​This phase – where your arms are moving back towards the front, after each stroke – isn't just a transition; it’s a crucial moment for setting up proper shoulder alignment and creating a streamlined, efficient form. 

Setting Up for Efficiency
The recovery phase is the time when you set your body up for the next stroke. During this stage, leading with your wrist and keeping your elbow high sets a streamlined position that will help you maintain balance and rhythm, particularly in freestyle. When you reach forward with a high elbow and lead slightly with your wrist, you naturally open up your shoulder, which can prevent shoulder strain and reduce drag on your lead arm. This position also keeps your body rotation controlled and steady, making your stroke smoother.

Then why not take part in the 2023 Cole Classic in February right here in beautiful Manly, one of Australia’s largest ocean swims.  

If you’ve been holding off participating in your first ocean swim then there is no better opportunity than the Cole Classic. The 1km swim is perfect for the newbies or a leisurely swim, whilst a step up to the 2km or even 5km ocean swim might be on the cards, if you're ready for the challenge?

There are many differences swimming in the ocean than in the pool, rips currents, waves, weather, marine life and another several thousand swimmers, ensure you increase your ocean awareness, learn some basic ocean water swimming techniques in the ocean environment.

HOW SWIM FIT ARE YOU?
If you would like some help to ease your anxiety, boost your confidence, learn some ocean skills, increase your fitness and swim your best on the day please get in touch.
If you are interested in swimming as part of a team for support then please contact Linda.
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Contact Linda on 0404 245 825 or email on [email protected]

Have you suffered from motion sickness whilst swimming?

I see many groups of fish of all kinds in Cabbage Tree Bay and wondered... what is the difference between a School or Shoal?

Groups of aquatic life get classified depending on whether they are a single type or mixture of species, or whether they are fish or mammals.

SHOAL - when fish, shrimp or other aquatic creatures swim together in a loose cluster, this is typically called a  shoal . It can be a mix of different species.

SCHOOL - is a group of the same fish species swimming together in synchrony; turning, twisting and forming sweeping, glinting shapes in the water. Fish probably do this to confuse predators and to save energy (by using the ‘slipstreams’ of other fish).

How do schools of fish swim in perfect unison?
A fish decides where and how to move relative to its position in the school. If the fish behind gets too close (less than two body-lengths), then it speeds up; if the fish in front gets closer than that, then it slows down. Schooling fish watch one another and also feel the waves their neighbours make as they swim, with pressure-sensitive pores along their body called the lateral line. And each fish has its preferred spot in the school. Some are natural leaders and tend to hang at the front and guide the whole school, while others choose to follow.

What is a big school of fish called?
Many kinds of fish prefer to swim together in groups called shoals. Some shoals are the biggest gatherings of animals on the planet others may only contain a few individuals.

Do schools of fish have a leader?
And each fish has its preferred spot in the school. Some are natural leaders and tend to hang at the front and guide the whole school, while others choose to follow.