400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed

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2009-05-21 3:54 PM

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Subject: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed

First Triathlon coming up. I understand the concept of the snake swim, but wonder how I pass or get passed. Any description of this and of the turns with the lane divider duck-under would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Steve

2009-05-21 4:18 PM
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2009-05-21 9:31 PM
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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed

I did a pool swim tri in March. It was a 50 meter pool and passing was not a problem. It did get congested at the wall, so not sure you can do a flip turn everytime, and some people will wait at the wall so they can be passed.

But I agree about tapping them on the foot and they should let you by.

2009-05-21 10:05 PM
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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed

I've done a few snake swims and, as stated earlier, it is a generally accepted rule that to pass someone you tap them on the foot, and the same is true for when you are being passed. I can assure you that 90% of the people you pass will be clinging to the wall and so passing is not a major concern. At the last snake swim I was at it flip turns were not allowed because of safety issues. Just push off the wall and push yourself underneath the line, or if you need an extra breather just duck under the rope first, then begin your lap (also as someone stated earlier). I sure know how to plagiarize.

 

Good luck.

 

 



Edited by crazylegs 2009-05-21 10:07 PM
2009-05-22 8:59 AM
in reply to: #2166760

New user
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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed
Thanks for the info. Very helpful. I have a much better image of how the swim will.

Steve
2009-05-22 1:35 PM
in reply to: #2166760

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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed

Passing has not been a problem in any pool swim I have competed in. The lanes were wide enough to comfortably accomodate 2 people swimming side by side. Just stay on one side of the lane. Unless there are 3 of you at the same point it should not get too crowded except at the wall as someone stated earlier.

2009-05-22 1:56 PM
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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed

Don't flip turn if there is someone hanging on the wall.

 

2009-05-22 4:36 PM
in reply to: #2166760

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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed
My wife and I just did a snake swim in April.  While we understood that people should let you pass, not everyone obeys the golden rule in the pool.  My wife got stuck behind one man who literally refused to let her pass.  I was able to get around him, because I am much stronger than my wife, but he verbally refused and physically would not let her by.  So, while you should not anticipate such rude behavior - everyone else that I passed was quite nice about it - you should be aware that not everyone is kind in the pool.
2009-05-22 4:56 PM
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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed
Blueraiderzone - 2009-05-22 11:35 AM

Passing has not been a problem in any pool swim I have competed in. The lanes were wide enough to comfortably accomodate 2 people swimming side by side. Just stay on one side of the lane. Unless there are 3 of you at the same point it should not get too crowded except at the wall as someone stated earlier.



LOL...Lucky you...wish you could have seen the chaos at my last pool swim tri.

Had to smile at the comment about someone letting you by if you tapped them on their feet.  Given the high percentage of newcomers attracted to pool swim tri's, I wouldn't count on too many people being hip to that:  I'd bet good money you'd be as likely to be kicked in the wrist as let by.

There's a big difference, btw, between conditions in reverse and traditional order tri's with pool swims.  Even with a time-trial start, trad order yields log jams in my limited experience (too many people seed themselves inappropriately).  Flip turns weren't always possible in either reverse or traditional order I've been in, frankly.
2009-05-22 5:02 PM
in reply to: #2166760

New user
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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed
Foot tap is a great concept but as stated sometimes not accepted/understood/used by newcomers. The past two snakes I have gone and done were complete chaos via inappropriate seeding.
2009-05-22 11:06 PM
in reply to: #2166760

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Subject: RE: 400m Snake Swim - Passing and being passed
SteveA - 2009-05-21 2:54 PM

First Triathlon coming up. I understand the concept of the snake swim, but wonder how I pass or get passed. Any description of this and of the turns with the lane divider duck-under would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Steve



My first tri as an old person was a 300m snake swim in a 50m pool. The first thing I learned real fast is that people lie about their ability. I put my estimated pace honestly at 1:20/100y pace which started me at exactly the top 10%. I finished the swim in the top 3%. I swam 1:19/100y and passed three people. Since we were starting on 10 sec intervals, I beat someone who expected to be faster than me by 30+ seconds in just 300 meters.

Since we were swimming one way in each lane on the right, it was simple to pass on the left while swimming which I did twice. The other pass at the wall was tricky. We both did flip turns at the same time. He was on the right and went just under the rope which was the right side of then next lane. I was on the left and had to push off deep to go underneath him, all the way to the left side of the next lane.


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